Floor Operations
Raw Material Receiving
Mix Vision provides features for the entry and receipt of raw materials used by the mixing control system. Information such as; received date, shelf life, vendor information, and lot information can be entered by component and bar code labels generated for attachment to the associated packages. The bar code labels will be used for both material verification in the process and for lot traceability, in addition materials exceeding the shelf life will be flagged.
Feeder Configuration
Feeder configuration provides the ability to assign ingredients to feeder positions and/or day bin positions, and adjust feeder tuning parameters such as pre-act and fast/slow settings. The feeding parameters are adjusted and maintained in the system database for each ingredient, providing consistent feeder control and repeatability.
Automatic Small Chemicals
Much like the manually controlled preparation system a variety of automated feeding and weighing systems can be accommodated within the Mix Vision scheme based upon and individual customer’s needs. A locally mounted user panel provides operators with an intuitive display where instructions and requests are displayed, guiding operators through the required sequence of events. Systems can also be configured to provide lot traceability in addition to inventory control.
Manual Small Chemicals
Mix Vision can accommodate many different configurations of mechanical preparation systems. They can be arranged for single or multiple bag preparation with fixed or carousel style bag carriers. Systems can incorporate a scanning interlock system as well as bin locks with indicators for visual identification depending on customer requirements. A locally mounted user panel provides operators with an intuitive display where instructions and requests are displayed, guiding operators through the required sequence of events. Systems can also be configured to provide lot traceability in addition to inventory control.
Mixer
The Mixer Real-Time screen is the main default screen showing an overview of the mixer and associated weigh/feed systems. The tabs across the top and bottom permit access to any all the features included in the customers customized package. The Mixer tab selects an animated mixer overview display showing actual equipment status such as mix sequence step and the status of the associated weighing systems. Screens are all customized to each customers configuration.
Trend Data
The Trend tab is a real-time X/Y chart which can display any of the process control variables such as compound temperature, main drive power, ram position, etc. over a time scale.
Alarms
Alarm/Fault tab displays a list of all the active alarms and faults for the current compound. The most recent alarm is always displayed at the bottom of the real-time mixing screen.
Schedule
The Schedule tab accesses the current production schedule, the running order, if mixing is taking place, and all entered follow up orders. Users have an option to reduce the quantity of batches in any running order or can delete following orders.
Mill
A Mill display can be configured to any number of mills; drop mill, sheeter mill, strip mill or for an extruder etc., with settings and feedback associated with each type of machine.
Batch Off
The Batchoff display typically shows the batch ID sequence from the discharge of the mixer to the cooling line discharge. It provides mechanisms for the collection of actual compound weight, packaging, and lab test information. It also provides for the printing of Compound/Skid ID tags with bar codes.
Shipping
The Shipping display provides mechanisms for the selection and entry of outgoing shipping information including the creation of a barcode shipment tag that will provide complete traceability. Products/Shipments can be traced back to their raw ingredients, lots, process information, and production information facilitating the highest level of traceability.
