Automatic control with production phase sequencer for dispersing and mixing equipment
In a constantly evolving industrial environment, the automation of production systems has become a priority for manufacturers of paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, etc. This trend responds to the need to optimize processes, ensure the correct repetition of formulas and improve traceability at each stage of manufacturing.
Given the continuous requests we receive from our customers to automate the dispersion and/or mixing phase, at OLIVER + BATLLE we have implemented a phase sequencer within an integrated control application in automated dispersers.
From the customer’s recipes, this software module allows to manage and control the manufacturing of recipes, divided into clearly defined phases or stages, offering an efficient and adaptable solution to the production demands.
For the development of this functionality, two modes are generally proposed that are integrated into the existing HMI system of the machine, facilitating operator interaction and ensuring compliance with the recipe specifications:
- Edit mode: allows the production manager to create, edit and enable production recipes to be processed on the machine.
- Production mode: Allows the operator to launch and follow the production according to the premises indicated in the pre-edited recipe.
This solution not only improves manufacturing precision, but also enhances flexibility and adaptability to the specific requirements of each formula, marking a step forward in automation in the industrial sector.
Results
The possibility that, during production, the operator can adapt or modify the instructions of the recipe in progress according to the results obtained in the quality controls and save them, improves the precision of the product for subsequent productions.
Also, thanks to the fact that the sequencer generates data files (logs) in Microsoft Excel format on the machine’s HMI when the batch is being executed, the quality manager can analyze these data and check the actions that the operator has performed during the process, thus obtaining total traceability of the production.
The phase sequencer can be applied in other machines and other systems where repetitive programmable consecutive actions or phases with different parameters are required, such as DISPERMIX or POLIMIX mixer-dispersers, HIDROBAT planetary mixers, etc.
Customers are very satisfied with the versatility and functionality of the module.
