Predictive maintenance and condition based monitoring (CBM) are two maintenance techniques rapidly gaining traction in packaging. Whilst these focus on keeping production lines running and minimising downtime, there is an advanced option, Prescriptive Analytics. Prescriptive analytics uses a combination of machine learning, algorithms and business rules to simulate a multitude of “what if” scenarios. The […]

Annual accounts are a legal requirement and these show a company’s health at a specific point in time. There are many influencing factors, but one usually hidden amongst all the figures is the true cost of unplanned downtime. Depending on the type and size of manufacturer this cost can vary from £5,472 per hour (RS

The IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), Industry 4.0 – and now 5.0 – are all developments which have become increasingly familiar. Now there is a new one emerging – digital twins – and which has the potential to transform packaging manufacturing.   Digital twins are virtual replicas of physical systems, such as production lines. They

Many companies still use PacDrive M for their packaging lines meaning maintaining and potentially upgrading PacDrive M systems is increasingly important. Whilst proven this legacy system now faces pressure from sourcing replacement parts and components as well increasing productivity demands. Thankfully though, there is some good news. With strategic maintenance, selective upgrades and expert support,

What are the three most popular web searches relating to PacDrive M? These are Troubleshooting, Spare Parts and Long-Term Maintenance Strategies. Given where we are with PacDrive M obsolescence they are probably to be expected. Let’s look at these individually. Troubleshooting is understandable. Quickly identifying the cause of downtime or breakdown is essential given the

What are the risks of delaying maintenance in manufacturing industry? Before considering these, let’s look at some data published in last year’s RS Components Maintenance Engineering Report*. The average cost of unplanned downtime was nearly £5.5K per hour last year – a near 7% increase over 2023 – with companies experiencing up to 15 hours

MAx-4 controllers were among the earliest ELAU PacDrive M controllers, but were withdrawn from sale in 2010. Now, sourcing these controllers—as well as the necessary parts for repairs—is becoming increasingly difficult. While many MAx-4 units remain vital to production lines the risk of failure and prolonged downtime is growing. A proactive assessment of these risks

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into food and beverage manufacturing and packaging can offer transformative advantages. It can enable companies to increase efficiency, improve quality control as well as contribute to optimising operations overall. Here we will look at how it can support more effective maintenance strategies as well as on-line quality control. Predictive

Productivity is a key term in manufacturing and can be considered a measure of the output of individuals or teams. It is important because it reflects how a business is performing: the greater the output (goods and services) with less input (materials, labour and capital) the higher the productivity over a defined period of time.

The RS Components ‘Performance in Focus’ 2024 Maintenance Engineering Report, created in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), provides a detailed analysis of the current state of maintenance engineering with a particular focus on process manufacturing. This report draws on insights from nearly 400 maintenance professionals across the UK and Ireland, highlighting the