The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry is entering an exciting phase across the UK and Ireland with sustainability, flexibility, and machine analytics gaining significance for every aspect of the FMCG value chain.
Many existing motion systems are still “black box” by nature, with almost no support for obsolete and legacy equipment. That means that a digital transformation is required in the FMCG industry with upgrades of both the motion and wider control element of production lines, fillers, separators, wrappers, cartoners, and pick and place handling systems.
Enhance efficiency of machines.
We help manufacturers to overcome major roadblocks such as;
- Black box legacy equipment that does not permit the level of machine flexibility required for modern batch production systems.
- Obsolete motion control and servo systems that fail to pass on crucial machine information to engineering and the relevant production layers of the organisation.
- Inability to predict the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) and Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) for machines.
The Motion and Servo Systems Ecosystem
Servo systems are found wherever there is a need for coordinated and synchronised motion control. They are used prolifically for pick and place operations, variable speed governance, and position control.
Typical applications of these systems would include packaging machinery, material handling and assembly systems as well as Delta 2D, 3D, and Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm (SCARA) robots.
Challenges of replacing or upgrading motion and Servo Equipment
Legacy and obsolete motion systems are common across the industrial landscape. Some of the reasons why manufacturers delay their upgrade plans include:
- Avoiding production downtime associated with upgrades.
- Risks associated with getting the same or better levels of accuracy in controls and motion.
- Lack of in-house expertise to gauge the right system for upgrade or replacement.
- Cost of direct replacement.
- Lack of documentation and software back-up.
- Over-dependence on OEMs/ vendors for proprietary systems.
How can ATS support Legacy Motion and Servo Equipment?
ATS has completed over 100 motion control projects, ranging from new machines and OEM partnerships, upgrading legacy plant, to the installation of 14 new vision guided delta robots.
Previous motion projects:
- Intelligent conveying solutions
- Blister pack lines
- Flying shear
- Continuous filter press and handling conveyors
- Extrusion handling and cutting
- Packaging in the Food and Beverage industry, biscuits, onions, strawberries, etc.
Previous motion projects
- Linear positioning
- XYZ Tables
- Flow wrappers
- Cartoners
- 2D Delta robots
- 3D Delta robots
ATS Global in UK and Ireland
Since 1991, We have been providing platform independent design and implementation of hardware and software products from leading automation suppliers to manufacturing companies in UK and Ireland. We are focused on automation systems design, system architecture selections, maintenance, troubleshooting and training.
Some of the skills we bring to the table include:
- Control Systems / PLC – Rockwell official RcSI (Allen Bradley) Siemens (Solution Partner) S5 / S7 / TIA, Mitsubishi, Omron, Schneider, B&R, GE
- SCADA – Factory Talk, RSView, Ignition, WinCC, Wonderware, iFix, Citect, Virtualised Environments
- Robots – Delta, Mitsubishi, Kuka, Yaskawa
- OPC – Kepware
- Control Panels & MCC design and build
- Variable speed drive suites
- Industrial Electrical Installation
- Call out breakdown services and engineering support
- Machinery Safety TÜV
- Implementation of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) – Siemens Opcenter Execution ( Discrete or Process), Opcenter APS, and Inductive Automation‘s Ignition
Leading Biscuit Manufacturer Chooses ATS Global to Improve Material Handling Efficiency
More than 65% improvement in waste rate vis-à-vis manual process due to vision control system (genuine waste metrics was less than 10%).
