LSS le da control total
On a production line, every second counts. Any disturbance, like a bottleneck or a jam can cause a reduction in Overall Equipment Effectiveness, resulting in lost time, and lost revenue.
It may sound cliché, but in production lines, time is money, and it was for this reason Infinity developed Line Synchronization and Simulation software.
Infinity’s LSS, gives operators the ability to control the speed of the line and harmonize the downstream system as a single unit.
LSS is able to accomplish this by monitoring downstream machine process data, the accumulator level and the line’s target speed. LSS sets the target speed for the line, based on individual bottlenecks, and then controls speeds for all the equipment.
This is essential in tissue converting lines as they need the ability to feed enough product for wrappers to continuously run, while the downstream equipment needs to be able to run faster than target speed when there is a backlog.
The LSS software continuously monitors downstream machine process data including the machine speed and material status. Then LSS adjusts the line to compensate for any changes that arise. These adjustments could be anything from increasing the speed of a leg, to letting an accumulator fill to a certain level or even slowing down the line to clear a disturbance.
The data used by LSS is controlled by the master programmable logic controller which can be shared with another machine PLC or a dedicated PLC.
Identifying bottlenecks, and altering line speed in accordance with upsets ensures that machines are operating at their maximum uptime and least mechanical stress. By reacting to line irregularities, LSS can resume full production quickly, resulting in increased OEE.
However, Infinity LSS doesn’t just react to changing circumstances, it also anticipates them. LSS can account for changes in raw materials on a machine, the speed of the machine can be increased to create a time buffer for the change in material.
In addition to this, LSS can also anticipate disruptions by monitoring for a presence or absence of products in a certain area. If there is an irregularity in the flow of a product, we can pause the line for a conveyor jam.
Since different products and different configurations can change the target speed, requirements, or overall objectives of a line, LSS is completely customized based on a consumer’s unique requirements. Features like output path adjustments, accumulator level monitoring and log distribution can all be tailored for a consumer.
Another key component of Infinity’s LSS is the simulation service. By using Emulate 3D software, Infinity emulation engineers can create a functional three-dimensional virtual version of the product line. This allows customers to see their line in action, test different product formats, check photo-eye positions, speeds and production data, all before installation.
In essence, our LSS program allows our customers to have confidence in their purchase by giving them a virtual check-out.
The LSS service also offers customized Human Machine Interfaces that display the entire packaging system. The LSS HMI gives the operator a visual of the states/faults of the conveyor section, and also allows them to change drive section controls from automatic to local.
From the top down, Infinity LSS was designed with efficiency in mind. This unique service allows for maximum OEE, pre installation testing and personalized, user-friendly HMI. To learn more about our LSS services, reach out to your nearest Infinity Sales office.
Monalisa invierte en línea de envasado completa de Infinity.
Infinity Machine and Engineering Corp., a world-wide leader in packaging machinery for the tissue industry, will supply Monalisa, located in Nonsan-si, South Korea, a full packaging line. The line will be installed by June of 2021.
Infinity is supplying all the equipment on the packaging line between the log saw and the palletizer. The packaging line includes one (1) Eclipse T4 wrapper, one (1) EPXL bundler, one (1) ItaPack handle applicator (integrated by Infinity) and the conveyor system. Monalisa chose Infinity for this project because they required a system that was flexible for their changing market and they desired robust equipment that will last the next 20+ years. All equipment being provided is built with Infinity’s notable machinery characteristics like rugged steel frames, oversized bearings and overall top-of-the-line componentry. In addition, all machinery uses a SIEMENS processor.
The Eclipse T4 wrapper on this line will be able to run everything from single roll bath tissue to larger bath tissue pack options like 30-packs and 48-packs. The Eclipse T4 wrapper has become a tissue industry staple during the last four years with over 100 wrappers now in production throughout the world.
Not only will the Eclipse T4 wrapper provide more packaging options but so will the bundler on this line. The bundler is called the EPXL. It has a wide product range and can make small and large bundles. The EPXL bundler has a continuous motion design with linear servo movement of the knife and seal jaw. This allows Monalisa to fulfill their current bundle demands, but also gives them the ability to make bundles
with graphics applied to the poly. Since this bundler is continuous motion, it is able accurately follow registration marks and auto correct for misalignment. Other features of the bundler include an integrated diverter and flight bar system for easy product collation, automatic poly reel splice and poly pull out cart for safe poly loading.
Finally, the conveyor system on Monalisa’s line plays an important role in the creation of the product. The system is equipped with an Itapack Handle applicator and every turning, tipping and knock-down device. This allows Monalisa to apply handles to the packs in any orientation and position the packs into the bundle in any orientation as well.
Infinity’s line that has been delivered to Monalisa was designed, built and tested with extensive customer input throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Monalisa was able to see weekly progress through Teams meetings and check the line out virtually. This project truly represents what Infinity stands for robust, flexible, custom and customer-focused tissue packaging solutions. The line will allow Monalisa to offer new packaging options to their customers and will give Monalisa the ability to do this for years to come.
Infinity Machine & Engineering Corp. expande sus instalaciones de ingeniería y fabricación
Debido al tremendo crecimiento, Infinity Machine & Engineering Corporation, un fabricante líder en el mercado de equipos de empaque de papel tisú que incluye envoltorios, empaquetadores, empaquetadores de cajas, desviadores, transportadores y selladores de cajas, ha iniciado una nueva expansión de 8,900 metros cuadrados (96,000 pies cuadrados). Actualmente, Infinity se divide en cuatro instalaciones, tres de las cuales están en Green Bay, WI USA y la cuarta en Bolonia, Italia.
La nueva instalación ampliada en Green Bay, EE. UU. Tendrá un total de 16.000 metros cuadrados (172.000 pies cuadrados), que junto con sus instalaciones en Bolonia, Italia de 1200 metros cuadrados (13.000 pies cuadrados), posicionarán perfectamente a Infinity para continuar hacer crecer su negocio y servir a los clientes de Infinity en todo el mundo.
El propósito de la nueva expansión es permitirle a Infinity ofrecer una mayor capacidad de fabricación a los clientes, implementar mejoras en el proceso de fabricación, expandir las ofertas de la línea de productos, tener un área dedicada a I + D, expandir sus instalaciones de capacitación y permitir configuraciones completas de líneas de empaque.
Algunas características nuevas de la expansión del edificio incluyen; un sistema de carro monorraíl para piezas con recubrimiento en polvo que duplicará con creces la capacidad de pintura, agregando seis bahías de ensamblaje final adicionales (actualmente hay 13) y también agregando áreas adicionales de “preconstrucción” para acelerar la producción. La nueva expansión también ofrecerá un taller de maquinaria ampliado, un laboratorio de control de calidad de última generación para verificar la precisión de las piezas y 1.200 metros cuadrados adicionales específicamente para la producción de transportadores. La instalación de fabricación ampliada está diseñada con la intención de crear un flujo eficiente de fabricación de piezas, pintura, preparación de trabajos, ensamblaje, caja y envío de la máquina. La luz natural en toda la tienda también crea un ambiente luminoso y abierto.
Además, Infinity también está ampliando sus oficinas de ingeniería para permitir una mayor capacidad de ingeniería. La nueva oficina permitirá a Infinity tener una plantilla total de ingenieros de casi 40 ingenieros. Actualmente, Infinity emplea a unos 30 ingenieros. Infinity también tendrá un espacio dedicado a la sincronización y simulación de la línea de envasado, que contará con un estudio de realidad virtual y grandes monitores para las inspecciones de línea simuladas antes de la instalación real. Además, el área de servicio al cliente se ampliará para permitir más instalaciones de resolución de problemas remotas, monitoreo de máquinas, colaboración de ingeniería y mayor capacidad.
Entre los años 2016 y 2019, Infinity ha duplicado su tamaño en términos de envíos e ingresos de máquinas. El crecimiento de Infinity, sin embargo, no está mejor representado por la cantidad en ventas o el número de máquinas en el mercado, sino por las personas que componen la empresa y su valiosa base de clientes. En 2016, Infinity tenía 85 empleados y solo cuatro años después, Infinity ahora emplea a más de 170 personas entre ingeniería, compras, producción, envío y servicio. La expansión del edificio seguirá este crecimiento y permitirá que Infinity sirva aún más al mercado mundial con equipos de envasado de tejidos robustos, fiables y tecnológicamente avanzados.
Ladrillo a ladrillo, proyecto a proyecto, idea a idea, la intención de Infinity es crecer sin límites y hacer nuestro mejor esfuerzo para ayudar a nuestros clientes a alcanzar su máximo potencial. En prácticamente todas las facetas de la organización Infinity, Infinity se esfuerza por alcanzar la perfección y proporcionar longevidad y continuidad para nuestros clientes, nuestros empleados y nuestra comunidad. Administramos nuestras operaciones mientras nos enfocamos en tres principios importantes: siempre damos nuestro mejor esfuerzo, trabajamos en armonía con nuestros valores y simplemente hacemos lo que decimos que haremos.
