Qimarox simplifies integration with PackML guidelines

Qimarox adopts the PackML guidelines for the integration of machines into production and packaging lines. This means that the components of Qimarox are now even easier to integrate, operate and maintain. With PackML, the manufacturer of palletising modules and vertical conveyors, among other things, is responding to an increasing demand from the market. Almost all major consumer product manufacturers – including Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo – set PackML as a prerequisite for new production and packaging lines.

‘PackML’ stands for Packaging Machine Language, a guideline drawn up by the Organization for Machine Automation and Control (OMAC). This organisation is supported by large, globally operating manufacturers of consumer products  such as Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo. In collaboration with system integrators, machine builders and technology suppliers, they want to create open standards for the vertical and horizontal integration of machines. ‘Horizontal integration’ refers to the interaction between the machines themselves (machine-to-machine communication), and ‘vertical integration’ to linking this with central control systems.

Qimarox’s alignment with PackML means that its palletisers, vertical conveyors and other machines are now even easier to integrate, operate and maintain. Manufacturers of consumer products using PackML as a guideline succeed in bringing new production and/or packaging lines into use three to four months earlier. They are seeing the total cost of ownership (TCO) of their systems fall significantly, while the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) increases. System integrators and machine builders who incorporate Qimarox modules into their solutions also benefit from the simplified integration and acceleration of test procedures.

Conditions for innovation

Standardisation in the realisation of production and packaging lines is desperately needed. Standards allow manufacturers to shift gears quickly and adapt their production processes to the rapid changes in the market. OMAC is currently preparing to enable concepts such as plug-and-play and plug-and-produce in due course. ‘PackML increases the possibilities for innovation. If manufacturers want to update a system, they don’t need to modify the control system of an entire packaging line. They only need to concentrate on the parts that need to be updated,’ says Uwe Keiter, chairman of the OMAC Packaging Workgroup.

In order to take full advantage of new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) or artificial intelligence (AI), standards are also indispensable. ‘Today, we can store and analyse data from different machines in the cloud. However, this is only really useful if we record the data identically, so that we can for example compare the performance of machines and calculate the OEE unequivocally. PackML makes that possible,’ says Keiter, who in his everyday life works as Business Development Director / Consumer Goods for technology provider Lenze.

Agreements in three areas

PackML comprises agreements in three areas. The first area concerns the status of the machine. If the status is ‘idle’, then it is ready to produce. With a start button, the operator can then actually start the machine, after which the status will change to ‘execute’. If there is a fault, the status will switch to ‘held’. Thanks to the uniform set of agreements, operators can operate a new machine without any training and service engineers can quickly find out which part of the production or packaging line has the problem.

The second area concerns the mode of operation of the machine. Is it set to ‘automatic’, ‘manual’ or ‘maintenance’? Thirdly and lastly, agreements have been made about the way in which data is exchanged between the machines themselves and with the overlying control system. This could include, for example, the speed of the machine: will it be specified in metres per second or in units per hour? It has also been established that each machine will only exchange data with the machines immediately before and after it in the line. ‘If machine B has a fault and the status jumps to ‘held’, this is only passed on to machine A and C, but not to machine D. Machines A and C can respond to this by reducing their speed, which means that the status will change to ‘suspended’. Machine C in turn passes this status on to machine D’, explains Keiter.

PackML as a prerequisite

PackML offers advantages not only for end users and system integrators, but also for Qimarox and other machine builders. The OMAC guidelines make it easier to also design the control system of machines in a modular way. When upgrading, they only need to modify the module, not the complete machine. This reduces the time needed for testing and troubleshooting. In a factory acceptance test, there is no longer any need to test the communication with other machines, which can result in time savings of 60%. There is also no need to keep reinventing the wheel when programming the machine: 80% of the software can be reused.

By adhering to PackML, Qimarox is responding to market demand. ‘More and more manufacturers of consumer products are including PackML as a precondition in their request for a quotation. By meeting PackML’s specifications as standard, we make it easier for our own customers – system integrators and machine builders – to meet these requirements,’ says Jaco Hooijer, Operations Manager at Qimarox. ‘In addition, we recognise the importance of standardisation in the industry. By becoming a member of OMAC we want to contribute to the further spread and adoption of PackML’.

Everyone benefits

OMAC is happy with the registration of Qimarox. More and more machine builders are adopting PackML, according to Keiter. ‘We can buy machines anywhere and link them together to form a production or packaging line. However, most machines’ software is not consistent, simply because it was created by different programmers. This makes it difficult to connect these machines to, for example, a MES (Manufacturing Execution System). It also means that operators and service engineers have to be re-trained for each machine. Everyone in the industry benefits from guidelines like PackML, both users and suppliers of production resources’.

About Qimarox

Qimarox is a leading manufacturer of components for material handling systems characterised by ruggedness and reliability. Innovative concepts, patented technologies and continuous development allow Qimarox (which emerged from Nedpack) to manufacture product lifts and palletisers that combine flexibility and productivity with a low total cost of ownership. System integrators and original equipment manufacturers from across the globe use the machinery of Qimarox in end-of-line systems and storage and order picking systems in various industries. Please visit www.qimarox.com for more information.

Qimarox improves accessibility of palletisers

Qimarox has increased the accessibility of its palletisers for operators and service engineers. The manufacturer of components for material handling systems has developed an innovative elevated walkway construction that makes it possible to reach both the pallet and the palletiser in a simple and safe manner to correct pallet stacks or perform maintenance. The elevated walkway system has been patented for use with the Qimarox Crossrunner system. This clever system allows multiple Highrunner palletisers to be installed in-line. The result is a compact arrangement in which only one roller conveyor is required to supply and remove all the pallets.

Because the palletising process of elevated infeed machines takes place several metres above the roller conveyor, machine accessibility can be a problem. Qimarox solved this problem by designing a system of elevated walkways that do not intersect. ‘This allows us to meet the needs of customers who rightly place high demands on the accessibility of their palletisers. Operators can now make any corrections that may be needed without having to climb, crawl or stoop. This obviously also applies to the performance of maintenance work, ‘says Pieter Hannessen, founder of Qimarox and product development manager.

Easy, safe and compact

The new elevated walkway system has two levels. The upper walkway is at the height of the pattern-formation conveyor, where the products are supplied and the pallet layers are formed and deposited. The lower walkway is at the height of the pallets and the built in lifts that deposit the pallets on the roller conveyor. Stairs are installed at various locations so operators can quickly move between walkways at any time.

The system is designed so that each pallet and palletiser unit can be accessed from several sides. Because the walkways never cross, operators at the lower level never have to bend down to restack a pallet or perform maintenance. This promotes safety and ergonomics. An additional advantage is that the shape of the walkways falls within the contours of the Crossrunner system, so that it remains the most compact arrangement for multiple palletising units on the market.

Most competitive solution

Qimarox’s Highrunner mk7 (a fast, flexible and fully modular palletiser) is a key component of the Crossrunner system. The Highrunner mk7 is the result of continuous development, which has led to an exceedingly simplified design that contains fewer parts and more standard components. Consequently, the cost of purchase, installation, use and maintenance is reduced to a minimum, which makes the Highrunner mk7 the most competitive palletising solution on the market.

Whether it’s boxes with or without lids, trays with or without foil, buckets, crates or jerrycans – the Highrunner mk7 can carefully and accurately position them into any desired pattern and deposit them on the pallet layer by layer. The user-friendly touch screen allows operators to easily select the desired stacking pattern and program new stacking patterns if necessary.

About Qimarox

Qimarox is a leading manufacturer of rugged and reliable components for material handling systems. Innovative concepts, patented technologies and continuous development allow Qimarox (which emerged from Nedpack) to manufacture product lifts and palletisers that combine flexibility and productivity with a low total cost of ownership. System integrators and original equipment manufacturers from across the globe use the machinery of Qimarox in end-of-line systems and storage and order picking systems in various industries. Please visit www.qimarox.com for more information.

Fast, flexible and cost-effective standard palletiser

Qimarox introduces the Highrunner mk7

The Qimarox Highrunner mk7 is a palletiser that is not only lighting quick, but also very flexible. Because the machine is constructed entirely out of standard modules, the Highrunner mk7 can be used in any situation without any additional adjustments. Thanks to its high degree of standardisation, costs relating to purchase, installation, use and maintenance are also considerably reduced. This palletiser module is already available from €29,000. Furthermore, integrators can choose to add their own pallet lift, or use one of the Qimarox models.

The Highrunner mk7 is the result of continuous development by Qimarox. The design of the existing Highrunners has been further simplified, resulting in fewer parts and more standard components. As a result, costs relating to purchase, installation, use and maintenance are considerably reduced. All this makes the Highrunner mk7 the most competitive palletising solution on the market today.

Whether it’s boxes with or without covers, trays with or without foil, buckets, crates or jerrycans – the Highrunner mk7 can carefully and accurately position them according to any desired pattern and deposit them on the pallet layer by layer. The user-friendly touch screen allows operators to easily select the desired stacking pattern and program new stacking patterns if necessary.

The fastest in the Qimarox range

The Highrunner mk7 is not only economical and versatile, but also the fastest palletiser from the Qimarox product range. A unique feature is that the pattern-formation conveyor is always located at the same height as the top of the pallet. This allows the layers created on the pattern-formation conveyor to be deposited at lighting speed, which makes for a particularly high capacity.

This high capacity is therefore the result of the high position of the pattern-formation conveyor and the built-in lift supporting the pallet. After each deposited layer, the lift drops a little bit, so that the top of the pallet is always at the same height.

Once a pallet is full, the lift descends to floor level, after which a roller conveyor removes the products. At the same time, an empty pallet is supplied from the opposite direction.

Dual infeed system 

Because the machine is constructed out of standard components, the Highrunner mk7 can be used in any situation without any additional adjustments. By default, the machine features side infeed, allowing products to be supplied left or right of the pattern-formation location.

Companies that require higher capacities can choose a dual infeed system, in which two supply conveyors and a pattern-formation conveyor combine to provide an even higher capacity.

Qimarox also has easy to integrate standard modules for turning products, placing sheets between pallet layers, and wrapping pallets.

Installation by certified partners

Like the other Qimarox palletisers, the Highrunner mk7 is installed and integrated by certified system partners across the globe. That is, end users can count on having a partner who knows the machines and their capabilities inside out, so that a successful implementation is guaranteed.

About Qimarox

Qimarox is a leading manufacturer of components for material handling systems that are characterised by robustness and reliability. Innovative concepts, patented technologies and continuous development allow Qimarox (which emerged from Nedpack) to manufacture product elevators and palletisers that combine flexibility and productivity with a low total cost of ownership. System integrators and original equipment manufacturers from across the globe use the machinery of Qimarox in end-of-line systems and storage and order picking systems in various industries. Please visit www.qimarox.com for more information.

 

Qimarox opens new test and demonstration centre in Harderwijk

Qimarox opens a completely renewed test and demonstration centre in Harderwijk. New or potential customers can experience the opportunities offered by Qimarox for vertical transport and/or palletising of their products first-hand after the opening this autumn. For this purpose, a fully operational palletising and vertical transport and sorting system will be installed in the test and demonstration centre.

Qimarox has always already offered the opportunity to test, but these capabilities are greatly enhanced now the premises at the Nobelstraat in Harderwijk has been converted and expanded. The test and demonstration centre will soon contain a fully operational Prorunner mk9, the successful machine that is not only being used as a vertical transport system, but also as a vertical sorting system across the globe. Furthermore, all manner of systems for the infeed and outfeed of products are available for testing, so companies can test what is the most appropriate configuration using their own products.

Palletising tests

In addition to the Prorunner mk9, starting next autumn, the other product elevators of Qimarox will also be on display. A new, further developed palletising system will also be available for testing the possibilities of palletising and stacking different products according to certain patterns. New and potential customers can see for themselves how accurately their products are positioned on the patented pattern-formation conveyor of this machine and that this machine can handle more stacking patterns than any other palletiser.

Remote testing

Because Qimarox’s components are installed and integrated all over the world, of course not every customer will have the opportunity of travelling to Harderwijk. In that case, the test can be captured on video, so that they can see the result anyway. Another option is to watch via the webcam that has been installed in the test and demonstration centre.

Training and education

The renovation of the property followed after the division of Qimarox and Nedpack late last year. Apart from an extensive test and demonstration centre, Qimarox will soon also be provided with a modern education and training space. Certified system partners will periodically be trained to install and integrate Qimarox components here, while customers can follow training in the use and maintenance of the systems. Anyone who is interested in visiting the test and demonstration centre can make an appointment without any further obligations.

About Qimarox

Qimarox is a leading manufacturer of components for material handling systems that are characterised by robustness and reliability. Innovative concepts, patented technologies and continuous development allow Qimarox (which emerged from Nedpack) to manufacture product elevators and palletisers that link flexibility and productivity to a low total cost of ownership. System integrators and original equipment manufacturers from across the globe use the machinery of Qimarox in end-of-line systems and storage and order picking systems in various industries. Please visit www.qimarox.com for more information.

Qimarox examines the use of drones for palletising

Qimarox has launched a study into the possibilities around using drones for product palletising. Manufacturers of consumer products can use these flying robots to design a very compact, flexible and scalable palletising process. Qimarox will be continuing along the path embarked upon by Amazon.com and others.

Online store Amazon.com and parcel carriers UPS and DHL have announced they wish to start using drones to distribute parcels to consumers. These drones could make it possible to solve the problem of the expensive last few miles in the delivery of online orders to consumers. There are already videos on YouTube showing the first test flights of drones collecting packages in a distribution centre and flying them out towards residential areas.

see our youtube channel for full video

Flexibility and Scalability

After using drones for external logistics processes, the next step is to use them for internal logistics processes. Qimarox has launched an investigation into the possibilities. As a manufacturer of components for material handling systems, naturally Quimarox’s initial idea would be to apply this to product palletising. According to Operational Manager Jaco Hooijer of Qimarox: ‘Because of the limitations in terms of capacity and ergonomics, using people to stack goods on pallets is no longer an option for most manufacturers of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods. Using drones, they can fully automate the palletising process, while retaining the much greater level of flexibility and scalability entailed by using real people.’

Drones Can Be Switched On and Off

The great thing about palletising with drones is that the process can be redesigned at any time without having to move or adjust any of your machines. All that is needed is to change the coordinates in the software that controls the drones. Another advantage is that capacity can easily be increased or decreased by simply switching more drones on or off. It is even possible to use a single drone to operate multiple end-of-line packaging lines.

The biggest limitation is currently the weight that a drone can carry. Currently, drones are being tested that can lift products of up to 2.3 kilograms. However, the technology is developing so rapidly that weights of up to 10 kilograms should be possible within the foreseeable future.

Short payback period

Qimarox doesn’t expect palletising systems using drones to be the ideal solution for every manufacturer of consumer products. Quimarox will therefore also continue to focus on the Highrunner mk7, its innovative, ultra-fast, flexible palletiser that was recently introduced. According to Hooijer: ‘For standardised processes with high demands on the capacity and quality of the stack, this machine still remains the best solution. Thanks to its modular design, the cost of purchase, installation, use and maintenance of this machine are extremely low, meaning an investment in the Highrunner will pay for itself in no time at all.’

About Qimarox

Qimarox is a leading manufacturer of components for material handling systems characterised by robustness and reliability. Innovative concepts, patented technologies and continuous development allow Qimarox (which emerged from Nedpack) to manufacture product elevators and palletisers that combine flexibility and productivity with a low total cost of ownership. System integrators and original equipment manufacturers from across the globe use the machinery of Qimarox in end-of-line systems and storage and order picking systems in various industries. Please visit www.qimarox.com for more information.