Kit media
When the pre-cut carton store is empty, the packaging process is interrupted. The same applies when the adhesive runs out or there is no more film available to pack the products or secure the load.
Sick's digital Filling Level Monitoring service provides an answer to this problem. The solution detects, indicates and visualizes the filling level of packaging materials and other resources needed by packaging machines. It aggregates data and makes it accessible anytime, anywhere via a cloud service. Filling Level Monitoring thus guarantees a packaging process free of replenishment defects and optimizes production processes across all packaging systems and lines.
This new solution makes it possible to monitor the filling level of cardboard packaging, liquids or granules not only in an autonomous machine, but also in a connected packaging line or an entire machine park, Sensors in the machines detect the filling level of the stores present and report it to the digital service. This in turn aggregates the data and displays it in a simple and clear representation on a dashboard.
The data can be accessed locally or remotely, via any device with a web browser. When critical fill levels are reached, they can be signaled to the machine operator by configurable alarm signals or vibrations on a smartwatch. This automatic notification service facilitates the replenishment of materials and reduces the risk of packaging machines shutting down.
A cloud service
Filling Level monitoring not only provides sufficient stock of cardboard packaging, liquids or granules at all times, but also optimizes the production processes of all packaging systems and lines via the cloud.
For this purpose, sensor data is aggregated and processed into information independent of machine manufacturers; this makes it easy to display and analyse the load of production lines (or even sites) and to identify, for example, the unused capacity of machines.
The operator therefore optimizes the load of his packaging machines and avoids capacity peaks. It is also possible to add customized services and analyses to tailor the digital service to specific packaging machines and processes.
Digital services transform sensor data into value-added information. Digital services such as fill level monitoring show how useful traditional sensor data can be for the use of digitized machines and plants. By combining smart sensors with smart services, it is possible to record events holistically, display processes seamlessly and thus improve productivity.
