Improving Production Line: the most common reasons and what is involved
For a production line, its meaning translates into a number of machines or part of an installation that can produce a predetermined number of products. After using a machine for a number of years, a production company may decide to renew or expand the production line.
What is the most important thing about a production line?
Designing a production line
Having a production line designed is done in much the same way as designing a complete process installation. Designing the production line requires some additional work. This has everything to do with making activities such as inspection, adjustment and cleaning possible. The accessibility and cleanability of the installation parts also require extra attention. The design of the production line is partly determined by the desired packaging, capacity and automation. The packaging line and the filling line are part of the production line.
Various scenarios are conceivable when a company decides to adjust its production line. From the production department, for example, a company wants:
- Achieve greater returns;
- make a new investment;
- responding to a trend;
- introduce a new product and adjust the production line accordingly.
A production line for fries, chocolate, potatoes, cheese
Ultimately, chocolate bars, fries, potatoes or cheeses roll off the new or renovated production line. Of course, many more product groups are conceivable. The most important principle is that the production line responds to the requirements and wishes of the company and that the line uses all available options. In any case, operator actions such as inspection, adjustment and cleaning must remain possible.
Greater efficiency
When a production line needs to yield more returns, the production line can be expanded. One way to do this is to place an extra machine between the already running machines. The existing process installation is converted at such a time so that part of it is retained. The production line can also be adapted based on new safety standards: by adding process parts or further automating the line, the line can function even more safely with respect to production or the people working with the line.
Invest
The choice to invest in the production line can be dictated by the aging of the machinery. Another reason may be that the companies you supply want more capacity. Therefore, your line must be able to handle more mass. This requires an investment in your production line, so that you can continue to meet demand. But where do you start with upgrading the existing system on which the production line is still running?
Do the benefits of automation outweigh the associated costs? An independent engineering firm works together with independent machine suppliers. For example, you will receive five different proposals from suppliers. Investing sometimes also involves moving to a more modern and larger building. In many companies, looking at a new building is appreciated: is the new building they have in mind suitable for the production process? Advice can be given on this.
Following a trend
Your customers keep a close eye on the market and can accurately estimate which products require a higher purchasing capacity at a given time. They can also suddenly ask for a different way of packaging certain products. Think of liquid foods that are no longer packaged in glass, but in cans. How do you adapt this question within the existing packaging line that you now work with on a daily basis?
Costs
Uticon’s engineers estimate the costs associated with your investment. They also want to know whether the expansion or renewal of the production line is practically feasible and whether the current space for the expansion is provided.
Hygiene is an important point of attention in general and very specifically in the food industry. An HVAC installation is indispensable for managing a healthy indoor climate. When installing the production line, we always take the HVAC issue into account, so that the indoor climate matches the desired conditions in which your product is made.
The packaging line and the filling line are part of the production line. The design of the production line is partly determined by the desired packaging, packaging and automation.
At Uticon we know the latest product developments and technologies. We have all the knowledge in-house to arrive at the optimal design for your production line. Would you like to know more about Uticon’s working method? Or do you have questions about setting up a production line? Contact us!
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