CSB

CSB ERP solution provides cost savings and informed business decisions

Coherent data capture throughout the production process and detailed analyses, using an ERP solution devised by leading specialist CSB-System, has enabled US meat producer Courage Production to maximise yields and efficiencies throughout its operation, enhance data collection and planning processes, and deliver valuable cost savings.

Courage, based in California, specialises in hot dogs, beef jerky, poultry and delicatessen products. To better support government regulations and the increasing documentation requirements for its business, the company introduced ERP software from CSB, which greatly simplified the processes.

“In the past, everything was rather complicated with some 50 pages of paper being passed onto production, such as bills of material, recipes and work instructions,” explained Courage Production’s president, Rob Engelhart. “We have now digitised and streamlined this to a great extent. At the same time, we have really intensified our data capturing.”

One particular example of this is the efficiency gains that have been achieved in the company’s four smoke houses. Around 350 different items go through the smoke houses, where they each lose part of their weight. By weighing every smoking cart before and after smoking, using PC racks specifically set up for this purpose, the ERP system was able to aggregate the data to provide a precise overview. This enabled Courage managers to identify in which smoke house specific products had the lowest loss. The availability of such information has allowed optimal planning and distribution of the raw materials to the different positions in the chambers. The numerous minor improvements achieved, such as a two per cent increase in hot dog yields and one per cent less water for beef jerky, has translated into a major cost saving. “This allows us to optimise the yields of every item in every smoke house, and to reduce our losses to an absolute minimum,” said Engelhart.

As well as high levels of efficiency, digital optimisation has also enhanced planning and control, with predictive machine planning helping to ensure the best possible utilisation of the production lines, while providing the flexibility to respond quickly to shortnotice orders.

As part of this, the CSB Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) module takes the five most important factors into account for planning - product group, label, wrapping films, allergens and set-up changes. This provides an optimised planning proposal, which can be adapted dynamically and in detail by managers.

Several additional optimisation measures have further increased transparency. Overall, the ERP system and its data on purchase orders, order entries, invoices, calculations, production orders and inventory movements will become the ‘workhouse’ and growth driver for all Courage Production’s business decisions.

“We want to double our production and expand our products throughout the United States over the next five years,” said Rob Engelhart.

Pepperl+Fuchs Presents New Portfolio of Vibration Sensors for Optimum Plant Availability

From milling machines to pumps and fans to wind turbines—wherever vibrations occur, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance play a crucial role in ensuring personnel and plant protection.

To perform reliable measurements of vibration velocity and acceleration in low or high-frequency ranges, Pepperl+Fuchs offers three new vibration sensor series. These devices for global applications come with approvals for hazardous areas up to Zone 1/21 and Div. 2 and certifications for functional safety SIL 1/ PL c and SIL 2/PL d—meeting the highest safety requirements.

THREE DESIGNS FOR VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS

Unlike comparable products, Pepperl+Fuchs vibration sensors boast a particularly wide measuring range, capable of measuring vibrations of up to 128 mm/second. These sensors stand out with encapsulated electronics in a rugged, compact housing due to their maintenance-free operation and exceptionally long service life. They are available in three designs with different functional ranges: The VIM3 sensors (coming soon) are the most miniature vibration sensors in the series, suited for less complex applications.

They are certified up to SIL 1/PL c for use in safety applications.

The sensors of the VIM6 series are designed for use in high-temperature areas, where they are deployed to measure temperature and vibration. An analogue output is available for each measured value. The VIM6 series is available with duplex steel housing and is approved for use in hazardous areas up to Zone 1/21. The VIM8 series with encapsulated electronics (coming soon) is designed for use in harsh environments and Zone 1/21 hazardous areas and offshore applications. The sensors come with SIL 2/PL d approval and a temperature range of -35 ... +125 °C. In addition, the vibration sensors are equipped with many sophisticated functions. For example, by means of the integrated crest function, the condition of machine bearings can be monitored, and machine downtime or failures can be prevented before damage occurs. Optionally, users can define two limit values via rotary switches. Once these values are exceeded, they are output via two relays for predictive maintenance purposes. This eliminates the need for extensive software development to evaluate the signal values in a PLC.

In turbines and other machines, the vibration sensors by Pepperl+Fuchs reliably measure vibration velocity and acceleration.

www.pepperl-fuchs.com

Building on experience. Driving technology. Maximizing performance.

Ultrasonic Sensor Series UC18GS with IO-Link

The new UC18GS series combines the advantages of ultrasonic technology with powerful features to create a sensor solution that meets virtually any application challenge.

For more information, visit pepperl-fuchs.com/pr-UC18GS