Bachelor's Thesis-Cost optimal development of processes for manual and semiautomatic packaging systems(public version)

Cost optimal development of processes for manual and semi-

automatic packaging systems

Developing the case company’s packaging processes

Bachelor’s thesis

Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology

Riihimäki, autumn 2015

S.M. Rashed-Uz-Zaman Rokon

ABSTRACT

Riihimäki

Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology

Design of Mechanics

Author S.M. Rashed-Uz-Zaman Rokon Year 2015

Subject of Bachelor’s thesis Cost optimal development of processes for manual

and semi-automatic packaging systems

ABSTRACT

The case company, * is one of the leading companies in Finland that sells

quality products to local and international markets. Some of the products

are repacked to smaller quantities from bulk amount such as *,*. One of

the challenges the company faces is how to increase the production rate of

repacking section without major investments in it.

The aim of the thesis was to find better solutions available in the market to

increase the production rate of the methods. If readymade solutions could

not be found then new working methods needed to be designed. Also, the

slowing factors of the repacking sections needed to be identified and

found better solutions trend to eliminate them. All the proposed solutions

were not to require very high investments.

During the thesis work, several tests on the present repacking machines

were conducted to find out the affecting factors of the processes. Brain-

storming for new working methods for several tasks was conducted with

the help of supervisors both from the university and *. Necessary proper-

ties needed to be kept in mind while finding solutions.

Based on the need and other affecting factors, an implementation of new

machines was proposed. A new kind of precise counting machine was

found to eliminate manual counting problems. A new type of simple but

fast packaging box for products was also proposed instead of the present

more complex packaging. For manual packaging, a new design of a work-

ing table was modified. All the proposed solutions were expected to in-

crease the current production rate and to make the process easier without

investing much in it.

The public version of the thesis does not include any confidential infor-

mation about the case company and the information was either opted out

or star marked for maintaining confidentiality.

Keywords Packaging, counting machine, box maker, labeling

Pages 39 p. + appendices 1 p.

Contents

1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1

2 BACKGROUND RESEARCH ................................................................................... 1

3 DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE COMPANY AND THEIR PACKAGING

PROCESSES .................................................................................................................... 2

3.1 Hand repacking process ...................................................................................... 3

3.2 Semi-automatic repacking process ...................................................................... 4

4 CHALLENGES TO BE SOLVED .............................................................................. 4

4.1 Manual and slow counting problems .................................................................. 5

4.2 Complicated packaging box ................................................................................ 6 4.3 Manual and slow labelling problems .................................................................. 6 4.4 Manual palletizing problems ............................................................................... 6

5 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES ................... 6

5.1 Introducing a new type of packaging boxes ........................................................ 7 5.1.1 Reasons behind the new packaging box .................................................. 8

5.2 Different types of counting machines for dry products....................................... 8 5.2.1 Cup fillers ................................................................................................ 9 5.2.2 Auger filling machines ............................................................................ 9

5.2.3 Net weight based vibratory filling system ............................................. 10 5.3 Choosing the best counting method for the case company ............................... 10

5.3.1 Reasons behind choosing the net weight based filling method ............. 11 5.4 Different types of labelling machines ............................................................... 13

5.4.1 Stamp on flat surface labelling machine ............................................... 13 5.4.2 Wipe down labelling machine ............................................................... 14

5.5 Choosing the best labelling machine for the case company.............................. 15

5.6 Robots for palletizing ........................................................................................ 16 5.6.1 Reasons behind choosing robots for palletizing .................................... 16

6 DEVELOPMENT OF A SEMI-AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE ........... 17

6.1 Installing a box maker to the production line .................................................... 17 6.1.1 Reasons behind introducing box making mechanism ........................... 21

6.2 Installing a new and more accurate net weight based counting machine .......... 21 6.3 Installing a labelling machine to the production line ........................................ 22 6.4 Installing a robot for palletizing ........................................................................ 23

6.5 Complete layout and required time ................................................................... 24

7 DEVELOPING THE MANUAL RE-PACKAGING SECTION .............................. 25

7.1 Precise counting machine for the hand repacking section ............................... 25 7.2 Installing a moving product holder into the new working table ....................... 28 7.3 Using a counting scale with more capability of weighing ................................ 30

8 INVESTMENT RETURN ......................................................................................... 30

8.1 Manufacturing costs .......................................................................................... 30 8.2 Investment return calculation for semi-automatic repacking machine ............. 31

9 RESULTS .................................................................................................................. 33

9.1 Efficiency improvement for the semi-automatic repacking process ................. 33 9.2 Efficiency improvement for the manual repacking process .............................. 34

10 RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................................... 34

10.1 Using flat boxes for longer products ................................................................. 34 10.2 Installing two computers close to the working area during summer ................. 35 10.3 Repacking into small bags................................................................................. 35

11 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................... 37

SOURCES ...................................................................................................................... 38

Appendix 1 Contact details of related companies

Cost optimal development of processes for manual and semi-automatic packaging sys-

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1 INTRODUCTION

These days, packaging industries around the world are mostly handled by

fully automatic or semi-automatic machines and also manually. There are

different types of machines that perform the packaging job but yet there is

still a great barrier as the investment for an accurate packaging machine

for various products is quite high. So, using a very expensive machine for

smaller production quantities is not really worth the investment. The case

company, * has semi-automatic and manual packaging systems with the

same problems as stated above. The product variety is so high that it is not

possible for a single machine to cover all of them. That is why the tasks

are divided and sent to the ‘Hand Packaging’ section or to the semi-

automatic machine or sometimes to the fully automatic machine. This al-

ways depends on the product properties and production quantity.

The objective of the thesis project was to improve the present repacking

processes by redesigning the current process layout, by carrying out a

market research for other cost effective packing machines and by design-

ing the working methods for a new customized working table for low in-

vestment. The expected results of the thesis work will be handling more

task in short time, improving the packing section’s efficiency and decreas-

ing the production cost for packaging without investing much in it.

Based on the test results carried out during the thesis project, possible so-

lutions were proposed to develop the current packing process. A totally

different type of packing box sample was given to the company to elimi-

nate the complexity present packing box’s complexity. During the market

research, several counting machines were found which could solve the

present manual counting problems. An automatic labelling machine and

palletizing machine were also found to make the whole process faster.

Several other developments were also proposed.

2 BACKGROUND RESEARCH

Packaging is one of the most important issues for companies as it repre-

sents the quality of the company and its products most of the cases. It is

the enclosure for any kind of product that we use in our everyday life. De-

pending on the product varieties, packaging can be done in plastic bags,

cardboard packets, cans or plastic bottles and in many other things.

The case company usually deals with * and they have a repacking section

for small * that they buy a bulk amount from different sources. This re-

packing is done to cardboard boxes by hand or by semi-automatic ma-

chines. During the repacking, the product counting part is done manually

which takes a long time. Other tasks such as labelling and palletizing have

also been manual till now and that is why the whole process is not as fast

as expected.


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This thesis work focused on finding out the slowing factors to the process-

es and on trying to find out better working solutions for repacking. To do

that the author needed to work in these sections personally to get the actu-

al insight of the problems. Based on the reasons found, several readymade

solutions were found from the market and some other ideas for performing

special tasks were introduced. Products from different companies were

studied to find the best solution to specific needs. Some other works of re-

search in the same field were also studied to get new ideas for the solution.

Currently, 50% of the repacking is done through a worker-machine system

but with the proposed solutions, 100% of the task will be done by this sys-

tem (Groover 2008, 21). The human worker will perform the jobs with the

help of machines that will take care some of his tasks. This is one of the

most common manufacturing systems around the world.

3 DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE COMPANY AND THEIR

PACKAGING PROCESSES

* is one of the leading companies in Finland selling various types of * .

They have a good reputation for providing quality products to meet cus-

tomers need.

The company buys quality products from both local and foreign suppliers.

Most of the items are sold to the market as it is bought from other suppli-

ers. Some items come in a bulk quantity which needs to repack in the

warehouse in small quantities for selling. To repack these products, the

company has a repacking section. Based on the product properties and

batch size, products are sent to the hand repacking, the semi-automatic

machine repacking or to the small bags repacking section.

Although both the hand repacking and the machine repacking are going

well but still there are some challenges. The semi-automatic repacking

machine that the company has, cannot count products precisely and the

tolerance is high. Production rate difference for both processes is not that

high. Some items cannot be counted by counting machines at all. Packers

need to make packets and put labels manually which slows down the pro-

cesses.

This thesis work concentrated on finding out new ideas for the develop-

ment of both the hand repacking and the semi-automatic machine repack-

ing processes. The objective was to increase the production rate by making

the process faster with the help of possible changes. To find out the solu-

tions, the difference between these two different processes needed to con-

sider.


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Two different types of repacking processes will be discussed below to give

an insight to the readers. The following figure shows different types of

products that are being repacked. As seen in figure 1, it is clear that the

shapes and sizes of different products vary each time. This needed to con-

sider carefully while finding out the solutions for packaging.

(Picture was not included for the public version)

Figure 1 Different types of products that are being packed in the case company

3.1 Hand repacking process

For oddly shaped products or for a smaller production quantity, products

are sent to hand packaging station. Sometimes, there are some products

which only require changing the labels. These are also sent to the same

section. There are different sized packets, generally called * boxes, are be-

ing used to pack the products. The boxes are numbered according to their

sizes for example * . Boxes are chosen based on the product properties,

the volume of the product and capacity. For example, hundred pcs of *

might fit the number *, so in that case, number * will be used but if five

hundred pcs of * need to be packed, then a bigger box number will be

used. Products are kept in the container and packer needs to pull the prod-

uct by hand or with the help of a tool to put it into the box. Under the box,

there is a weight scale, which measures how many pieces are there in the

packet. Thus, the packer pulls products until getting required number.

Generally, products are sent to hand repacking if the production quantity is

less than one hundred fifty boxes. It depends on other variables too but if

the production quantity is higher, then they are sent to the semi-automatic

repacking section. The average production rate for hand repacking section

is sixty boxes/per hour/worker, but it always depends on product proper-

ties and other variables such as box sizes, products etc. The figure 2 shows

different types of boxes. The sizes of the packets are defined by numbers

according to their measurements such as * and so on. The white boxes are

being numbered as * .


Figure 2 Different types of packets that are being used currently


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3.2 Semi-automatic repacking process

As mentioned, if more than one hundred fifty boxes are to be made; this is

usually done by the semi-automatic machine. Unlike hand repacking,

smaller sized products, for example, * etc are repacked here. There are

several vibrating containers that hold the products and feed them slowly to

get the required weight. For that reason, oddly shaped products cannot be

put there. The same types of boxes are used here too. The machine is pro-

grammed to vibrate and feed the products to a container having a weight

scale until it reaches the required weight. The required weight is given be-

forehand according to the quantity. For example, if hundred pcs of * need

to be packed, with the help of a weight scale, the mass of ten pcs of * is

measured and this information is recorded to the computer of the machine.

After that, the machine automatically calculates the required weight for

hundred pcs of *, but a tolerance is also given to the machine, usually 3%.

When the weight in the scale is in between the tolerance level, vibrating

containers stop feeding the products and drop them into the box. This way,

the worker always gets more or less hundred pcs of * into the box and then

the packer needs to add some more or take some of the * away to make the

quantity precisely hundred. The machine is designed in such a way, that all

the vibrating containers stop when it reaches the tolerance level, that is

why the machine is never precise and a human worker always needs to ad-

just something. The only way the machine helps the worker is that the

boxes already contain close to the required number of products dropped by

the machine. So, this saves a little bit of time. The average production rate

for the semi-automatic packaging machine is hundred boxes/per hour con-

sidering that one person is working at the machine. Figure 3 shows the cur-

rent semi-automatic repacking machine.


Figure 3 Current semi-automatic repacking machine

4 CHALLENGES TO BE SOLVED

The current repacking process for the semi-automatic and manual repack-

ing system includes quite similar tasks. During the manual repacking pro-

cess, a packer needs to perform the following tasks:

I. Making the base and outer shell of the package ready (as the pre-

sent packet has two different parts)


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II. Weighing the products with the help of a weight machine and ad-

justing for precise quantity

III. Closing the lid and tie with a scotch tape

IV. Putting a label on top of the packet

V. Palletizing the packet

Different tasks require a different amount of time. A test was carried out to

determine which task requires most of the time. For the test, eighty pack-

ets were made, twenty packets in each test. During the test, time for task

III and IV is calculated together. The test result was shown in table 1.

Product: *

Packet number: *

Number of packets: Eighty pcs, twenty packets in each tests

Table 1 Duration of different tasks during manual repacking

Time required for making 20 packets (in seconds)

Tasks 1st test 2nd test 3rd test 4th test

Making packets ready for

weighing products

120 s 115 s 105 s 125 s

Weighing for precise amount 660 s 620 s 610 s 570 s

Closing the lid and labelling 125 s 120 s 115s 110 s

Palletizing the packets 55 s 45 s 47 s 55 s

Total time required 960 s 900 s 877 s 860 s

From the test results, it was clearly seen that weighing products and adjust-

ing it for precise quantity took the longest time. It was also clear that the

total time for performing a specific task was decreased as the worker got

used to with the process.

4.1 Manual and slow counting problems

Currently, weighing products for precise quantity are done totally manual-

ly by human workers. For the semi-automatic packaging process, it is half

done by the machine as stated earlier. The machine tries to put a closer

quantity to the required one. The human worker needs to adjust the rest for

precise quantity. As weighing products for precise quantity took the long-

est time, it will make the process much faster if this time can be mini-

mized. So a precise product counting machine needed to be found.


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4.2 Complicated packaging box

Although, in this test, * white box was used which takes around six sec-

onds to make, the other boxes, known as * box, also take around six sec-

onds to make. Closing the lid and labelling the box also require around six

seconds for each box. This means even if the box was changed to another

one, the test results remain the same. The * boxes have two different parts

as shown in figure 2 and joining these two parts together takes around six

seconds. This task slows down the repacking process. So a new kind of

packaging box needed to be found from the market or to be designed.

4.3 Manual and slow labelling problems

Presently, labelling is done manually which requires a lot of time. Alt-

hough it seems labelling does not take that long time but when it comes to

the question of labelling one thousand packets a day, the required time is

really high. There are plenty of labelling machines available in the market

which can replace the need to do this task manually. In that case, the label-

ling time can also be saved too. So a suitable labelling applicator needed to

be found from the market which could be installed with the existing pro-

duction line.

4.4 Manual palletizing problems

At present, palletizing is done totally manually which is not a quite fast

process. For palletizing packets, low budget articulated robots can be used.

These robots are easy to program and can remember thousands of products

data for palletizing. But as it was seen from the test results that palletizing

took comparatively shorter time than other tasks, this needs to consider

that if a robot is really worth of the investment.

So, the challenges needed to deal with were:

I. Finding a counting machine for measuring precise quantity

II. Developing a simpler and faster packaging box.

III. Replacing the manual labelling process for the semi-automatic ma-

chine

IV. Replacing the manual palletizing

5 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES

The affecting factors of the repacking process were already discussed. To

find the solution, several things were taken into consideration such as the

company’s product types, production quantity, and investment possibili-

ties. Based on that information, the following solutions were proposed for

further consideration.


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5.1 Introducing a new type of packaging boxes

As stated, the present * boxes have two different parts which need to put

together for repacking. This takes around six seconds and sometimes it is a

little bit difficult to join them together. To remove that problem and make

the process faster the following type of box having only one part can be

used. This type of box is very easy to prepare for filling products and clos-

ing the lid. Making the packet ready for filling products will take only one

second. Time for filling the product into the box depends on product prop-

erties. Closing the lid and labelling might take three more seconds. Alto-

gether, without considering the filling time, this type of box will be ready

in four seconds whereas the previous one would take six seconds just to

get ready for filling products. Closing the lid, taping the lid and labelling

take another six seconds or sometimes more. So without considering the

filling time, the present packaging box takes at least twelve seconds to get

ready whereas this new type of boxes will take four seconds only. Thus

twice as much as time can be saved and make the process 200% faster just

by changing the current packaging. Table 2 shows a comparison between

the two boxes based on the time saved for different tasks.

Table 2 A comparison based on the duration of different tasks with new boxes to the

present * boxes

Present * box New kind of box Time saved

Duration of making the

packet ready

6 s 1 s 5 s

Duration for closing

the lid and labelling

6 s 3 s 3 s

Total time 12 s 4 s 8 s

Figure 4 shows the new kind of packaging box that can replace the present * boxes.


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Figure 4 New kind of packing box having only one part

5.1.1 Reasons behind the new packaging box

The new packing box will serve as follows:

Only one part inside the package

Easy to get ready for filling products

Easy to close the lid and no tape required

Strong and stable, no problem during transportation

High wall thickness, so the product inside is safe

Easy to automated if needed

The whole packaging takes only 4s to be ready while the present

one takes twelve seconds without considering the weighing time

Reliable method of packaging

Comparatively low-cost but faster packaging

A little bit customization needs to do with this box as it does not have any

window like the present one to see the products inside. Also, the compa-

ny’s brand name has to be printed in all the side walls so it looks as good

as the present * boxes. These transformations will not be difficult to make

but after that, the box will serve better than the present one.

5.2 Different types of counting machines for dry products

Currently, product counting is done manually in hand repacking section

and in semi-automatic repacking, half of the job is done by machine. The

semi-automatic machine is quite old and cannot measure actual quantity.


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Hence, the human worker needs to adjust it which takes time. There are

plenty of modern counting machines available in the market which can re-

place the system. This kind of machines uses different processes to count

the products depending on the product properties. Some of the counting

machines available in the market and their working principle will be dis-

cussed below.

5.2.1 Cup fillers

Cup fillers are suitable for a free flowing product such as powders, liquids

or other granular products. The basic working principle of this kind of fill-

ing machine is dipping the measurement cup into the product and then

presses it straight ahead to the packaging. The hopper is situated generally

above the cup. Figure 5 shows a common cup filler machine.

Figure 5 Common cup filler with a hopper and a piston (Cup Fillers, 2015.)

One of the problems with this kind of filling system is, they are not suita-

ble to measure a different amount of products quickly as changing the cup

requires long time or sometimes it is not even possible. So the versatile

uses of this machine are restricted.

5.2.2 Auger filling machines

This specific type of filling system is also suitable for granular, powdered

and liquid products. The working principle is a bit different than the above

mentioned one. This type of machines usually dispenses a predetermined

amount of product of weight to the packets or boxes or in any other pack-

aging. The accuracy can be +/-1% for the counting.


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Figure 6 Auger filling machine for fine products (Auger Filling Machine, 2015.)

There are some drawbacks of this kind of filling system such as they are

so compact hence suitable for very fine products only. If frequent product

changing is needed, this type of machine will require a lot of time for that.

5.2.3 Net weight based vibratory filling system

This type of filling system is quite popular for their variety of usage and

flexibility. The basic working theory is, there is a container where the bulk

amount of products will be kept. There is a vibrating rotor which vibrates

and feeds products to a weight scale container. The machine vibrates in a

uniform speed as long as it reaches to 90-95% weight and then vibrates

slowly as long as it makes 100 %. After that, the container opens to drop

the products into boxes, bags etc. Another counting cycle begins then.

5.3 Choosing the best counting method for the case company

Even though there are plenty of counting machines available in the mar-

ket, not all of them are suitable for the case company. The product variety

is really high and their shapes, sizes vary each time. The products are dry

and they are basically hardware items so cup filling and auger filling

methods are not so suitable for them. According to the company’s need,

net weight based vibratory filling method seems the best solution.


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5.3.1 Reasons behind choosing the net weight based filling method

Precise counting which is the most important issue

Can handle various shapes and sizes of products

Machine constantly learns to optimize the precision

Easy to combine with existing production line

Very compact, less space required

Easy to control and can remember previous settings

Possible to customize the machine for individual needs

Saves counting time as no adjustment needed

The following vibratory machines were chosen as possible solutions for

the company.

A) S-6 Cascading style net weight filling System:

This specific model of a net weight based counting machine has good ac-

curacy for counting applications. There are two different vibrating feeders

in this; the 2nd one vibrates faster than the first one, giving the machine a

dribble feed for more accuracy. With this machine, most of the products

that the company needs to pack every day can be handled with a great ac-

curacy. Figure 7 shows the specific model of the S-6 cascading style net

weight filling system.


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Figure 7 S-6 Cascading style Net weight Filling System (S-6 Cascading style Net

weight Filling System, 2015.)

Some specifications of this product are:

Very compact and not too heavy

Tolerance is as low as 0.1%

Can count a variety of shapes of products

Possible to integrate the system with bags or boxed in the produc-

tion line. (Busch Machinery, 2015.)

S-6 price information: Around €10000 for the basic system. This machine

has to be integrated with the present conveyor system so that will cost

more for the installation.

B) Model VF200-HDXvibratory filler:

This specific model from ALL FILL has a twin lane to feed products and

it works in the same way as the previous one. It has a large hopper and

two 16inch wide vibratory lanes. The weight bucket has a capacity of

counting 8 fills/minute and its maximum weight can be twenty two kg.

The accuracy varies from 0,25% - 0.5% depending on the products and

quantities. Figure 8 shows the model VF200-HDXvibratory filler system.


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Figure 8 Model VF200-HDX counting machine (Model VF200-HDX vibratory filler,

2015.)

There are some differences between these two machines stated above. The

later one has two vibratory hoppers instead of one as the first one. So, in

some cases, model VF200-HDX can be faster than S-6 counting machine.

S-6 is more suitable for smaller products and amounts.

VF200-HDX price information: Around €15000for the basic system. Ad-

ditional customization will cost more.

5.4 Different types of labelling machines

Labelling the ready packets is now being done by hand both in hand pack-

aging and semi-automatic hand packaging processes. Compared to the

other process, labelling takes less time. As it turned out from the test, la-

belling for twenty packets needs only around twenty seconds or less. In

hand repacking section, products are changed frequently as only small

production quantity, for example, twenty packets or more comes here. As

the products are changing frequently so do the label also. That is why it is

not cost effective or time effective to introduce a labelling machine for

that small product number. By hand, it will be much faster than a machine

to label only twenty packets or a little more. But when it comes to the

semi-automatic machine, the batch size is much larger than the hand pack-

aging. This takes a long time to label. So a labelling machine for flat boxes

can be introduced there. As the product changes frequently, the company

needs a print and apply label applicator to serve their purpose. There are

different types of labelling machines available in the market which are

discussed below.

5.4.1 Stamp on flat surface labelling machine

This kind of labelling machine prints and applies the label from the top of

the flat box as a stamp. The labeller is equipped with a pneumatically con-

trolled piston which moves up and down to apply labels. Depending on the

model, they can print any size and kind of labels on different heights of

boxes. One of these kinds of labelling machines is discussed briefly in the

following. Figure 9 shows model 252 labelling machine.


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Figure 9 Model 252 print and apply labelling system with adjustable height (ID tech-

nology, 2015.)

This smart and adjustable print and apply labelling machine is ideal for the

task. This can be integrated with the present conveyor system and depend-

ing on different sizes of packets; it can change its height. So there will be

no setup time for labelling. The information for different products will be

given by a computer and then the printer will know what to print. This is

specially designed for flat surfaces and as all the boxes has a flat surface,

this is an ideal solution.

5.4.2 Wipe down labelling machine

There is another kind of labeller available in the market known as wipe

down print and apply labeller. This works a little bit different way than the

above mentioned one. This one dispenses labels through knife peeling sys-

tem. This is also possible to integrate with the present production line and

applicable for different heights of packets. Some technical features of one

of these kinds of labeller are mentioned briefly below.


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- Easily adjustable heights

- Different sizes of label can be printed

- Good choice for labelling flat head boxes. (E-packing S.r.l., 2013.)

Figure 10 shows the URANO SPT labelling machine.

Figure 10 URANO SPT Printers Desk print and apply label applicator (E-packing S.r.l.,

2013.)

5.5 Choosing the best labelling machine for the case company

Both types of labelling applicators discussed above are suitable for the

case company as they have only flat head boxes to label. The reasons be-

hind choosing this type of label applicator are:

Fast and precise labelling application

Adjustable to various heights and widths if needed

Can be easily installed with present production line

Can print different sizes of labels if needed

Easy to input information about product changes

Saves labelling time

Price information for labelling machines: Depending on the application

and adjustability, the price can go from €3000- €5000 for this kind of la-

belling solutions.


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5.6 Robots for palletizing

As like as labelling, palletizing also do not take that long time at all. As

for hand packaging, the product changes so frequently, so it is quite fast

and convenient to do the palletizing by hand. For semi-automatic packag-

ing, around fifteen hundred packets are handled every day. Every batch

size is one hundred fifty packets or larger. This takes some extra time for

the packer to palletize the packets to the pallet. If a palletizing system,

preferably a basic robot is introduced for palletizing, this extra time can be

saved and the packer can concentrate on other tasks. Most of the packets

that are packed in the company do not exceed more than ten kilograms.

According to the need, the following articulated pick and place robot was

chosen for the palletizing task. Figure 11 shows the specific robot model.

Figure 11 Model UR10 pick and place robot for palletizing (Direct industry, 2015.)

Some specifications of the robot:

Type: articulated

Number of axes: 6-axis

Function: pick and place with precision

Payload: 10 kg

Reach: 1300 mm. (Direct industry, 2015.)

5.6.1 Reasons behind choosing robots for palletizing

Faster palletizing


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Pick and place application can be carried out for different shapes

of boxes

Variable picking jaws

Able to pick up to 10 kg which is quite acceptable

Can be integrated at the end of production line to increase produc-

tivity

Saves palletizing time

Price information of palletizing robots: Depending on the brand and pay-

load capability, pick and place robots will cost around €20000- €30000.

Installation and programming are not included here. The full installation

might take €50000. As palletizing takes the lowest amount of time while

repacking, investing money on palletizing robots is only recommended

when production rate increases.

6 DEVELOPMENT OF A SEMI-AUTOMATIC PACKAGING

MACHINE

The present semi-automatic packaging system that the company has now

consists of a conveyor belt for feeding the packets and a vibratory contain-

er system to weigh the products for counting. For the presently installed

system, a packer needs to do the following tasks by himself continuously:

I. Making packets base ready for filling the products

II. Adjusting the precise amount in the packet

III. Making the outer shell of the packet and insert it into the base

IV. Closing the lid and taping the packet

V. Labelling the packet

VI. Palletizing the ready boxes

Except these tasks, the packer needs to bring the pallet filled with prod-

ucts, setup the machine for weighing, fill the vibratory container with

products and solve any other problem that arises during the process. Some

of the above-mentioned tasks can be replaced by the automated system so

that the packer will have more time to do other tasks, which will make the

job much faster than now.

With the presently installed systems, the production rate is around 100

packets/ hour depending on the product properties. The following devel-

opments can be introduced to the system to increase the production rate up

to 150% at least.

6.1 Installing a box maker to the production line

The presently installed system has a manual box feeding mechanism. The

packer presses the box bases to the conveyor and then they stop under the

weight scale where the container drops the products after counting. After

that, it follows the conveyor to the packer and the packer adjusts the pre-


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cise quantity in the box. The weighing machine weighs around 4-6 packets

per minute and packer needs only a couple of seconds to make it ready for

filling the products. Is does not seem long but for fifteen hundred packets

a day, the time is quite high. Not only that, the packer needs to move every

time for doing the task. As the machine runs all the time, more boxes get

prepared by the machine for the packer, during the process. If the packer

would not need to do it all, a handsome amount of time will be saved here

which he can put for other tasks. As a new kind of packet is already pro-

posed, the following mechanism is designed for an automated packet feed-

ing. The box making mechanism will have two different parts.

a) A box feeder and

b) A box opener

a) Box feeder: This mechanism will be responsible for feeding flat boxes

that are supplied. A packer will put the flat non-opened boxes on the con-

veyor belt of the feeding mechanism and the belt will move slowly for-

ward to the box opening mechanism. The feeder and opener will be syn-

chronized so that the conveyor will move forward when needed. There

will be two rods in each side of the conveyor belt to adjust the width of the

conveyor with different sizes of packets. A pushing bar will hold the

packets and push forward as it approaches the box opener. The box feeder

will look like the figure 12.

Figure 12 Box feeder mechanism


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b) Box opener: The box opener mechanism consists of two main parts.

One of them is a pneumatic cylinder. This cylinder will be controlled with

pneumatic pressure and will be able to move forward and backward. This

mechanism will hold a box opener along with suction cups at the end of it.

The box opening mechanism will be connected to the cylinder such a way

that the movable jaws can move freely. The suction cup holder has two

jaws that can move from zero degree to one hundred eighty degrees. This

suction cup will stay at one hundred eighty degrees while catching the

non-opened boxes from box feeder. The suction cup will then grab a box

by sucking it and cylinder will shrink towards the conveyor. In this mo-

ment, the jaws of the box opener will move from one hundred eighty

degrees to ninety degrees while sucking the right angle sides of the box.

Because of this movement, the unopened box will be opened and then the

suction cup will release the box to the conveyor. After that, it will repeat

the same process for the next packet.

Figure 13 shows the movable jaws along with suction cups of the box

opening mechanism.

Figure 13 Movable jaws along with suction cups for holding and releasing boxes

Figure 14 shows the pneumatic cylinder of the box opening mechanism.


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Figure 14 Pneumatic cylinder to move across the conveyor with suction cup holder

Figure 15 shows the complete box opening mechanism.

Figure 15 Box opening mechanism

The whole mechanism will look like figure 16.


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Figure 16 Placement for box making mechanism

6.1.1 Reasons behind introducing box making mechanism

The mechanism will save a lot of time for box opening

This can be 99% effective while opening boxes

Faster and precise box opening mechanism

Less complicated method

Easy to change the heights and widths for variable box sizes

Price information for this mechanism: As this mechanism has to be cus-

tom made so it is hard to calculate the cost of such mechanism. The cost

will entirely depend on the manufacturer of this mechanism. An estimated

cost for this mechanism can be around €5000- €8000.

6.2 Installing a new and more accurate net weight based counting machine

The present weighing scale in the semi-automatic machine is not able to

count and drop exact amount of product into the box. The machine is old

and so does the process. Based on the mass of the required product and

quantity, the vibrating container starts vibrating till it reaches close to the

required mass. There is a tolerance (generally 3%) given to machine so

every time the machine reaches to the tolerance level, all the containers

stop vibrating and drops products into boxes. This way the box never gets

the exact amount of products. The tolerance level is sometimes big or

sometimes small, depending on the products and other operating variables.


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Because of this, the packer always needs to adjust the correct amount of

products in the box which takes quite a long time. If this process can be

eliminated, almost half of the packaging time can be saved as it is seen

from earlier test results that weighing and adjusting the correct number

take longer time than other processes. There are plenty of modern net

weight based counting machines which can count an exact number of

products with a slight tolerance (usually 0.1-0.5%) level which is quite ac-

ceptable for packaging process. This type of machine has a vibrating con-

tainer which can control its vibration by itself and has a connection with

the weighing scale. The container vibrates uniformly as long as it reaches

to 90-95% of required weight and then vibrates slowly as it goes close to

the required weight. Once it reaches the required weight, the container

stops vibrating and the scale drops products into boxes or something else.

The company has a large variety of products that need to be packed, but

not all of them can be put into this type of machine. The replacement of

counting machine in the present production line will look like the figure

17.

Figure 17 Setup for precise counting machine along with the existing conveyor

6.3 Installing a labelling machine to the production line

Currently, labelling for the semi-automatic packaging process is done by

hand. As there are plenty of labelling machines in the market, if a labelling

machine is introduced in the process, the packer will have one less job and


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can save a lot of time. As it already discussed above that the batch size in

the semi-automatic repacking section is usually two hundred or more so a

basic ‘print and apply’ labelling machine can be added here. As different

packets have different sizes and heights, the labelling machine has to have

a mechanical function so that it is possible to move it up or down accord-

ing to the needs. It will be connected to a computer where packer will give

the required information to the labelling machine telling what to print. All

a packer needs to do is, after closing the lid, leave it for the labelling con-

veyor to be labelled. Figure 18 shows the production line with the label-

ling machine.

Figure 18 Production line along with a print and apply labelling machine

6.4 Installing a robot for palletizing

At present, around fifteen hundred packets are produced by a packer in

each day considering 2 working shifts. Even though it does not seem tak-

ing quite a long time, but for a batch like fifteen hundred, it is a huge

amount of time. If a new kind of packet is used and other developments

stated above are applied, then the batch number will be bigger than fifteen

hundred. So the packer will need to put a lot of time for palletizing too.

But with the help of a very basic robot, this task can be eliminated and the

packer will have spare time to concentrate on other tasks. The robot can be

pre-programmed for different kinds of products so the packer does not

need to program it each time. The palletizing robot will be able to remem-

ber a variety number of products information to its memory and use it eve-


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ry time for palletizing. If new kind of product comes, then the packer can

put necessary information for the robot from a computer program. A sim-

ple pick and place program can be introduced here and this way the packer

will save some time. Figure 19 shows a representation of the layout with a

robot.

Figure 19 Production line with a pick and place robot at the end

6.5 Complete layout and required time

After putting all the proposed developments together stated above, the

packer has to do only one task himself among those six different tasks

stated earlier. The task is number four, which is closing the lid for the new

type of packet as the process will get much more complicated if a machine

is introduced to do the same job. Although the packet is supposed to be

closed manually but in future, if the production rate goes higher, then a

closing lid mechanism for boxes can also be introduced. With the current

layout, the packer will have only one task instead of six tasks and can save

a lot of time. In the real case, the production rate will vary definitely but if

it is considered that the counting machine counts three packets per minute,

then an estimated value will be: one hundred packets per hour for the

semi-automatic machine which is 80% higher than the present one.

To calculate manufacturing lead time, following equation is used:

MLTj = ∑ (Tsuji + QjTcji + Tnoji)noj

i=1 (6.1)

Where, MLTj = Manufacturing lead time for part or product j(min)

Tsuji = Set-up time for operation i (min)

Qj = Quantity of part or product j in the batch

Tcji = Operation cycle time for operation i (min/unit)

Tnoji = Non operation time for operation i (min)

i= 1, 2, . . . . , noj (Operation sequence in the processing)

A simplified equation will be MLT= no(Tsu + QTc + Tno) (6.2)


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Where noj=no which defines the number of machines. (Groover 2008,71.)

For example, a certain product is to be packed one thousand units. The on-

ly one operation taken into consideration here is the counting time. Aver-

age setup time for each operation is 0,1 hour/operation and average opera-

tion time is 0,005 hr (about twenty seconds for filling the packets by

counting machine). Average non-operation time due to handling delay and

other issues is 0,25 hour.

So, the required manufacturing lead time is (from Eq. 6.2)

MLT = 1 (0,1+1000*0,005+0,25) = 5,35 hours or around 320 minutes.

If the lowest efficiency is taken by the machine which is one hundred

eighty packets per hour, around 5,5 hours is needed to manufacture them.

So the result is quite closer to the calculated result here.

7 DEVELOPING THE MANUAL RE-PACKAGING SECTION

Products that come to hand repacking section vary in shapes and sizes.

Some products are so big and odd in shape that it is not possible just to put

them in a machine for automated counting process. As it is discussed sev-

eral times above, that during the repacking process, weighing products

takes the longest time; a similar counting process like semi-automatic re-

packing can be introduced here. This will save some time for the packer.

Sometimes, there are some odd shaped products that cannot be put in this

kind of machine; they can be done manually as they are being done now.

Some jobs do not need to be repacked, as they have already right amount

of products in the box. They only need the labelling and the packet to be

replaced. Recommended developments for hand repackaging section are

discussed below.

7.1 Precise counting machine for the hand repacking section

Details about net weight based counting machine are already discussed

above. A similar type of counting machine can replace the present count-

ing machine. The counting machine can be both precise and non-precise.

If the machine is precise and can count exact amount of products, then it

will take a little longer for the machine to count. Generally, this kind of

machine can count 3-6 packets per minute depending on the products and

quantity. If the machine is not precise and can only count a closer amount

required, then the process will be a little bit faster. In both cases, the pack-

er will save some time that he needs to weigh product now. This spare

time is possible to put on some other tasks which will make the process

faster than now. Figure 20 shows a representation of a new counting ma-

chine.


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Figure 20 Precise counting machine for faster counting

Along with the previous mentioned weighing machine, the following men-

tioned machines can also be introduced with the present manual working

table. Depending on the products to be packed in manual parking section,

the following two machines were chosen for the task.

A) Model VF100-BF vibratory filler:

This model has an ability to count up to twenty two kg and has twelve-

inch wide feeding pan. The hopper is five cubic feet which can accommo-

date a lot of products. This model is suitable for packing heavy products

and the accuracy is +/- 0,25%-1%. The only drawback with this machine

is, it can fill only 2 boxes/minute. Figure 22 shows the model VF100-BF

vibratory filler.


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Figure 21 Model VF100-BF vibratory filler counting machine (Model VF100-BF vibra-

tory filler, 2015.)

B) Model VF100-ST vibratory filler:

This is a basic level linear net weight machine. It has a one cubic foot

hopper and four-inch wide feeder pan. This machine is faster than the up-

per one and is suitable for small sized products. It can count 10 pack-

ets/minute and the accuracy is +/- 0,5%-1% . Figure 22 shows the model

VF100-ST vibrating filler.


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Figure 22 Model VF100-ST vibratory filler counting machine (Model VF100-ST vibra-

tory filler, 2015.)

This is a very compact design and can be put on top of a table easily to

make the counting job faster. This can be a good integration with the pre-

sent working table. The price of this can be around 4000, 00 €.

7.2 Installing a moving product holder into the new working table

Currently, packers need to make packets manually and put it down to the

container. Then they pull products into the packet by hand as long as it

reaches to the exact amount. After that, they close the lid and finish mak-

ing the packet and repeat the same process again. If a counting machine is

added to the system, then after closing the lid and labelling, the packer

will have some spare time. So an automated moving product holder with

counting machine can be added to the system to make the process faster.

This will save some time too. The following idea is proposed for the new

hand packaging table. Figure 23 shows the new design of the working ta-

ble.


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Figure 23 New design of the working table with modified mechanism

The working table proposed above contains a precise counting machine, a

movable product holder and a converter for different types of packets. The

theory behind the table is, the counting machine will count a precise

number of products and then drop them into the movable product holder.

These holders have the volume as the largest packets size that will be

used. So, all types of products and amount will fit there. After filling one

holder, the mechanism will move forward clockwise and the next one will

be filled. At the end of the mechanism, there is a converter for different

sizes of packets. When those moveable holders will pass near the convert-

er and turn down, it will drop products into the converter due to gravity. A

packer will hold packets under the converter to catch the products into it.

Benefits of this mechanism:

Will save a lot of time as no setup is needed for different types of

packets

Machine will make the next counted products ready to fill in the

box

Products can be filled straight into boxes

Precise counting, no adjustment needed

Can count different shapes of products

In hand packaging section, generally a small batch of order comes, for

example, twenty boxes or fifty boxes. For this reason, product changes

frequently and also boxes. If a set-up time is needed for different boxes,

then the process will get slower. Most often, set up time is at least ten

minutes which is not worth for small batch. If this mechanism is applied,

that problem will be solved.


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Price information for this system: Except the counting machine, all the

other mechanisms need to make from the manufacturer with customized

settings. Because of this, the cost for this type of table will be a little bit

higher. One of the tables like this can cost around €6000-€12000. The cost

will be low if a standard mechanism is found in the market.

7.3 Using a counting scale with more capability of weighing

The present counting scale can count products having a maximum of

twelve-kilogram mass. Sometimes, there are some batches which have

more than twelve-kilogram mass. In this case, a packer needs to count the

products two times which is nothing but a time loss and slows down the

process. If this is replaced with another scale capable of counting up to fif-

teen kilograms of products, packers will save some time there which will

make the process much faster than now.

8 INVESTMENT RETURN

Investment return time is one of the core factors to consider when making

the decision to bring changes. The current semi-automatic machine is pret-

ty much old fashioned and needs to be changed one day. One of the im-

portant objectives for the thesis was finding solutions for low investment.

There are hundreds of different packing machines in the market and they

serve in different ways. While searching for those above mentioned solu-

tions, the following things were considered carefully:

What types of products to be repacked

Production rate

Batch size for production

Operation type in hand packaging and semi-automatic machine

Flexibility of the machines

Requirements of the company

Price of the machines

8.1 Manufacturing costs

Manufacturing cost is included two main parts which are fixed costs and

variable costs. If they are put in an equation:

TC = FC + VC (Q) (8.1)

Where, TC = Total cost

FC = Fixed annual cost (€/year)

VC = Variable cost (€/pc)

Q = Annual quantity produced (€/pc)


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The figure 24 shows the breakeven point for a manual and automated pro-

cess for the same operation. This is a general presentation.

Figure 24 Fixed and variable cost as a function of production output for manual and au-

tomated production methods

From the figure 24, it is seen that if the production quantity is low, the

manual method is cost effective but as the production quantity increases,

the automated method becomes more efficient and cost effective. (Groover

2008, 73.)

8.2 Investment return calculation for semi-automatic repacking machine

Let’s assume that the company is interested in installing the above-

mentioned machines except the robot. For semi-automatic packaging im-

provement, the estimated cost is shown in table 3.

Table 3 Estimated cost to install new semi-automatic production line

No. Machines Cost

1 Counting machine 10000,00 €

2 Labelling machine 4000,00 €

3 Box maker 6000,00 €

4 Conveyors and other setup cost 15000,00 €

5 Total fixed cost 35000,00 €

So the total fixed cost is 35000,00 € for the whole setup. Variable cost is

taken as 0,01 € per packet. If 2500 pcs packet is being made in each work-

ing day, then annual production quantity is 2500*250= 625000 pcs packet

(considering two hundred fifty working days in a year)


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So, total annual cost will be

TC = FC + VC (Q) = (35000+0, 01*625000) €

= 41250, 00 €

So for the first year, the total cost for the machine will be 41250, 00 €and

from next year only the variable cost (0, 01*625000) = 6250,00 € will be

added.

Now, if the machines are installed it will make one hundred eighty packets

per hour (considering the lowest efficiency) which is eighty packets more

per hour.

In an eight hour shift, 7 hours of work is done and 1 hour is break time. So

for two shifts (14*80) = 1120 more packets will be made.

For the presently installed system, it will take eleven hours of work to

make this much of packets. So the new system will save eleven hours of

work each day.

If a worker is given 10€/per hour as a salary, then (11*10)= 110 € will be

saved every day.

For 250 working days in a year, (250*110)= 27500,00 € will be saved

yearly.

So, in 2 years, (2*27500,00) = 54000,00 € will be saved.

In two years the total cost for the machine will be (41250, 00+6250, 00)=

47500,00 €

So the required time to get the investment back is less than 2 years (around

1.5 years).

A short version for the earlier calculation was shown in the figure 25. The

estimation includes only the cost of buying new machines and the installa-

tion cost. It excludes the price and installation of the robotic palletizing

system. Lowest efficiency was taken into consideration from the machines

which will definitely vary in real case but not that much. The estimated

investment return calculation for the new hand packaging table can also be

calculated using the above-mentioned way.


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Figure 25 Estimated investment returning time for both repacking processes

The case company was looking for a solution that will cost less than

€100000 so it seems that the proposed solutions met the objectives. Alt-

hough it is quite clear that the investment might vary while setting it up

but it will definitely not go close to that amount.

9 RESULTS

As different scopes of developing manual and semi-automatic packaging

processes are discussed above, a question comes how much efficiency will

be improved and how fast will be processed than now. An improvement in

efficiency based on calculation and assumption is discussed below.

9.1 Efficiency improvement for the semi-automatic repacking process

The simulation with the proposed improvement shows that with the new

system, it is able to make around 3-6 boxes/minute. Although the process

is completely dependent on product properties and quantities, even if the

lowest number is taken into consideration, three packets will be made in

each minute. This makes around one hundred eighty packets per minute.

In a full working shift of seven hours (deducting one hour break time),

around twelve hundred sixty packets will be made which is 80% more

than now. The highest number can go two thousand five hundred twenty

packets per shift which is 260% higher than now. So, even if it stays

somewhere in between, it is expected to have more than 100% increase in

production and around 75% increase in efficiency.


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9.2 Efficiency improvement for the manual repacking process

At present, hand repacking has a production rate of sixty packets per mi-

nute. With the proposed improvement, the packer will save some time for

counting and the production rate can reach up to hundred packets (as-

sumed value, comparing the process to the present semi-automatic packag-

ing section) per minute. This will produce around at least 67% increase in

production rate and around 33% increased efficiency for the process. The

percentage might vary in the real case, but this is for sure that the process

will be faster with the proposed improvements.

So the following objectives of the thesis were obtained:

Successfully found new precise counting machine

Market research was done to find right solutions

Complete process layout and packaging for faster packing were

proposed

Price for all the solutions was in the range that the case company

required

10 RECOMMENDATIONS

In addition to the earlier improvements, some other extra issues can be in-

troduced for improvement. These are discussed in the following.

10.1 Using flat boxes for longer products

All of the packets that the company is using now open from the short

edge. This creates a problem when filling up longer products which have a

length of more than one hundred mm. This slows down the process and

sometimes it takes twice as much time to pack the products. If the packet

can be opened from the long edge, it will make it much easier for the

packer to fill up the packet. In that case, half of the packaging time can be

saved. Each packer gets this kind of products at least once in a shift so the

time saving will depend on the batch size of the products. Figure 26 shows

the recommended changes of the box opening.


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Figure 26 Box that can be opened from long edge for longer products

10.2 Installing two computers close to the working area during summer

At the moment, there is only one computer located close to the working

area being used by the employees to input important data to the warehouse

management software. There are some other computers located in other

rooms close to the station. It was monitored that most of the time the em-

ployees were not interested in going there. This created a queue in front of

the computer during the summer, when several summer workers come to

work. On an average, a packer needed to go to the computer around five

times a day. Sometimes they needed to wait up to five minutes for their

turn depending on the queue. This way a packer lost twenty five minutes

of his working time in a shift. Around twenty people are working in the

packaging section during summer which makes a total loss of time five

hundred minutes in a shift. If only half of this loss is taken into considera-

tion; it is still a loss of more than four working hours. This problem could

be solved just by installing another computer right beside the present one.

This would create less gathering in front of the computer and will speed

the process up.

10.3 Repacking into small bags

Without manual repacking and machine repacking sections, the company

has another repacking called the ‘Small bags repacking’ section. In this

section, repacking is performed into small plastic bags. Counting is done

manually by the packer. As the counting process is done manually the

process is really slow. Sometimes more than one type of products needs to

be put into the same bag. In that case, the process is even slower than

normally. But there are several automatic machines in the market, which

could perform the counting job and mix different products automatically

along with filling them into plastic bags. In this case, the packer only

needs to put different products into different containers and tell the pro-

gram how to operate. The machine will do the rest by itself. This will save

a huge amount of time for the packer and make the process much faster


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than now. The machine illustrated in figure 27 was chosen for considera-

tion.

Figure 27 Model ZB-60D4, 4-head counting machine for small bags filling (Zhongbai-

pack, 2014.)

Reasons behind choosing this counting machine included:

Precise counting

Able to put four different products into a single packet

Can count small screws, nuts, bolts and other parts of variable siz-

es

Capacity to fill 30-70 bags per minute depending on variable prop-

erties

Bag measurements: Length:20-145mm ,Width:50-170mm

Product counting, bag making, filling, sealing, and counting bags

is automatic

Easy to operate and reliable

Faster and smarter process than the present series counting job


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The above-mentioned machine has four heads, but it is possible to custom-

ize the head numbers according to company needs. The case company can

order a machine with more or fewer heads based on their needs.

Price information for this machine: This kind of machines can cost around

€6500- €10000 depending on the number of heads and other properties.

11 CONCLUSION

This thesis work presented the possible solutions to the present problems

that are affecting the repacking processes. It helped the author to know the

working environment and the factors to be considered while working with

the company for real solutions. During the work, feedback from both the

supervisor and the company personnel helped the author find more realis-

tic solutions. One great and important lesson learned was that while work-

ing towards real solutions, some solutions might seem great at the begin-

ning but not that real and helpful in the end.

While designing a new mechanism for the box maker and a new working

table, the detailed working design was ignored here. It would be great to

make a simulation work for the process but due to the limitations of tutori-

al material for related software, this was also ignored. More design work

needs to be applied to all the solutions. The work aimed at showing a pos-

sible working method to design new processes for different tasks rather

than at providing detailed design.

Although there were some limitations to the project, the core objectives

were achieved nicely. The solutions found are expected to help the

company to increase their production in repacking. The new design of

packaging will benefit the process immediately. Other solutions will take

some time, but they will definitely help with the production rate. The case

company has sister companies to implement the recommended solutions.

Further checking might be needed before implementing all the solutions.

Once they are implemented, the production of the repacking sections will

be increased a lot and the purpose of this thesis work will be fulfilled.


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38

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http://www.directindustry.com/prod/universal-robots-s/product-101499-990381.html

http://www.epackagingsrl.com/prodotti_section/urano-spt-con-stampanti-desk/

http://www.epackagingsrl.com/prodotti_section/urano-spt-con-stampanti-desk/

http://www.labelingsystems.com/products/label-printer-applicator/

http://busch-machinery.com/net-weight-fillers.htm

http://www.zhongbaipack.com/product/html/?39.html


tems

Appendix 1

CONTACT DETAILS OF RELATED COMPANIES

ALL-FILL Inc. 418 Creamery Way

Exton, PA 19341

p 1·800·334·1529

f 610·524·7346 (All - Fill)

f 610·363·2821 (Auger)

Busch Machinery, Inc.

727 E. 20th St.

Tucson, AZ 85719

Website: http://busch-machinery.com/

Phone: 800-840-9573

Fax: 800-840-6270

(USA Only)

Phone 520-777-3360

Fax: 520-777-3369

Epackagingsrl

Via Gabriele D'Annunzio, 5, 20835 Muggiò MB, Italy

Website: http://www.epackagingsrl.com/

Tel +39 039 2781718

Fax +39 039 2781722

Guangzhou Zhongbai Packaging Equipment Co., Ltd

Address: NO.123 Junhe Street, Xinshi Road, Guangzhou City, China.

Tel: (020)22100302

Contacts: Ms.Crystal Zhou

E-mail: [email protected]

Mob: (0086) 13168896302

Skype: crystal.zhou86

http://www.directindustry.com/

Labelling Systems 48 Spruce Street

Oakland, New Jersey, 07436

Web: www.labelingsystems.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 201-405-0767

Fax: 201-405-1179

http://www.all-fill.com/



http://www.epackagingsrl.com/

http://www.directindustry.com/

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Bachelor's Thesis-Cost optimal development of processes for manual and semiautomatic packaging systems(public version)