WAGON TRACING
Wagon tracing allows us to keep track of all our wagons at all times. The screenshot to the right shows an example of wagon tracing. Here we can see the position of all wagons (blue boxes) and where they are located. Available spaces (marked ‘0’) are also shown. This can be switched on/off by the operator for a better overview. The wagon tracing can be edited by the operator if wagons are moved manually.
Wagon tracing has the following advantages:
• We can count the number of wagons in specific areas (and therefore the number of wagons with a specific recipe – if a recipe is available)
• We can minimize the need for number readers – production planning is easier as it is possible to see how far away specific wagons are
• The operator (or plant manager) can see how wagons are distributed around the plant – for example, it is possible to see if one spray booth is working slower than another.
END OF DAY SEQUENCE
With end-of-day sequence, a function can be added to the system so that the operator can choose to run an end of day/end of shift sequence. This helps with shift handovers and start up standardization. When the sequence is activated, the plant/system will run until all wagons are within a pre-defined area. This can be a range of pre-defined positions: Clearing out of ovens and washers / Empty wagons at all loading stations / Certain buffers are full or empty.
RECIPE SYSTEM
It’s possible to create a recipe for each wagon in use. This recipe can be entered manually, scanned with a barcode scanner, or imported from the end user’s ERP system. The operator can view and edit the recipe for each wagon in real time if required. This feature can be used to transfer data to other third-party companies. Examples of data include paint colour, paint layers, oven time, cooling time, feedback information such as robot and oven status, and chain speeds.
Recipes can be created to match production plans. They can be entered at the start of the day and the CALDAN PLC will automatically sequence them.
CALDAN Wagon Tracing System
CALDAN End of Day Sequence & Recipe System