Barco MES and RFID for Bemis

Bemis implement Barco Manufacturing Execution System incorporating RFID technology

Bemis, the world's largest manufacturer of toilet seats is to implement Barco's Plantmaster MES to provide real-time production monitoring, scheduling and operator tracking at their injection moulding facility in Burnley, Lancashire, UK.

Bemis were already familiar with the benefits to be gained through real-time production monitoring having already implemented a system in the early 1990's.

However, in computing terms the current system had more than exceeded its use by date.

Production manager Andy Lockett says "When looking for a replacement, the main criterion for Bemis was to find a well established supplier committed to RandD, who could provide a system at the forefront of modern technology".

"Barco with its range of wireless data units incorporating RFID tag readers more than fitted the bill".

"Using the same RFID tags that are used for the time and attendance system, the operators, supervisors, maintenance and QA personnel log on at the machine via the Barco wireless data units".

"Personnel then either log off when they leave the machine or are 'automatically' logged off at the end of a shift".

"The Barco Plantmaster system provides a suite of reports giving real-time visibility on all Key Performance indicators (KPI's), enabling managers and supervisors to achieve operational excellence and a rapid response to changing conditions".

"All this is now greatly enhanced by being able to include the operator element in the reports"".

"Another important criterion when choosing the system was integration with our ERP system".

"Although the Barco Plantmaster system is able to integrate with all ERP systems we were particularly confident due to our system being previously integrated with Plantmaster on one of Barco's existing customer sites".

"Works orders that are set up on the ERP system are periodically sent to the Plantmaster real-time scheduler".

"These are then easily planned on the machines using the Plantmaster 'drag and drop' facility".

"At the end of each shift and production batch, information is sent to the ERP system regarding downtime and scrap rates, which is used to update job status and material consumption etc In addition to this, information is also sent back periodically detailing the calculated job start and end dates".

"This link up effectively closes the loop and gives the ERP system a real-time facility".

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