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TECHNOLOGYIN ACTION
ADVERTORIALS
SICK’s Fill Level Monitoring Keeps Packaging Machines Topped Up
A digital service that gives instant visibility to filling levels in packaging machinery has been developed by SICK in collaboration with industry end-users. SICK Filling Level Monitoring avoids machine stoppages by giving real-time data to operators via smartwatch or phone, so that levels of carton blanks, adhesive or film wraps, for example, stay topped up. Instead of having to check each
magazine or film roll level in person, machine operators monitor fill levels on their watch or phone and are alerted by SICK’s Filling Level Monitoring system before levels become critical. Machine downtime is avoided and staff walking routes can be planned efficiently to ensure optimum production uptime.
Industry Collaboration The SICK Filling Level Monitoring digital service can be used with any SICK smart level sensors. Its first applications have been developed with packaging manufacturers and machine builders using SICK DT-50 laser distance sensors to output level measurements from carton magazines and film rolls. The measurements are routed to a SICK SIM1012 edge gateway, which aggregates and forwards encrypted data via SICK’s LiveConnect digital interface, so that it can be easily accessed, man aged, and processed online.
The SICK Filling Level Monitoring cloud-based dashboard provides
easy-to-interpret graphical information about the real-time status of machines from any internet-enabled device. Automatic push notifications on the fill levels can be set up for smart devices to alert with an acoustic signal and vibration. Meanwhile, production managers can monitor the fill levels of all machines across a packaging line, shift or entire production facility. Analysis of historic trends can be used to opti- mise production processes.
Unexpected Benefits Neil Sandhu, SICK’s UK Product Manager for imaging, measurement and ranging, said: “SICK worked closely with leading packaging end-users and machine builders in Europe to develop a cost-effective and easy-to- implement system. “By using the smart watch alerts, our customers found that fewer
operators were needed to keep cartoning machines replenished, so staff could be deployed more efficiently to other duties. What’s more, the system brought unexpected benefits to overall production control. For example, the loads on packaging machinery lines could be monitored to identify over- or under- capacity.” While initially developed for cardboard and film packaging materials,
Filling Level Monitoring can also be adapted for liquids including adhe- sives, or granular raw materials. It is also possible to add customised services and analyses tailored to particular machinery or processes.
SICK (UK) LTD
www.sick.co.uk
JUNE 2022 | PROCESS & CONTROL 13
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