How Arla Foods leveraged software standardization to reduce commissioning time by 50%
Arla Foods is a large food and beverage manufacturing company that works with OEMs on a global scale
Arla Foods does not have a technology centre - they purchase machines from many suppliers around the world and integrate them into a production/packaging line system.
Their challenge is to work with OEMs to create machines which can be integrated into lines easier and faster.
Arla Foods frequently faced these challenges when integrating machines into their lines
There was no consistency in the automation software of different machines. This includes different machines provided by the same OEM.
Each machine had a bespoke horizontal and vertical interface. This made it difficult to integrate new machines in a line.
Each machine had a unique operating and reporting concept. This meant that operator and technician training had to be provided for each machine.
Arla Foods worked with OEMs to create a standard software architecture and machine interface.
This interface is based on PackML for the interface between machines and the SCADA system and Make2Pack for the automation software architecture.
The benefits reported by Arla Foods and their OEMs are remarkable.
The standardized interface is easy to test with a pre-defined and reusable test plan.
Use case and technical specifications can be reused reducing the workload involved in creating specifications for new machines.
Standardized architecture is easy to troubleshoot and software quality increased thanks to the standard architecture.
Machines which are PackML and Make2Pack compliant are more valuable to end users, increasing revenue
Standard software architecture means less bespoke programming is required for each machine
Code modules are reusable across machines leading to increased quality and decreased cost
Interfaces don't have to be defined per client when everyone is using a standard interface
Standardized training material can be used to train end users in operating and maintaining machines
Standardized software is easier to navigate and understand while troubleshooting and debugging
By standardizing your machines and interfaces, you can increase the quality of your machines and your capacity to deliver machines to your customers.
At KB Controls, we have more than 5 years experience of standardizing our clients' solutions. With Vanderlande, we defined the standard modules that were used to deliver large material handling systems to clients around the world. These standard modules have been used by more than 30 engineers in 3 countries to deliver 7 large projects valued at more than 200 million euros in record time.
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