Inform

Introduction
Millitec’s INFORM, in association with Solworks, is a software package designed to enhance the flow of information between production lines and supervisory staff, within the food industry. Essential data from the production floor is collected using programmable logic controllers (PLC's) and electronic eyes which can be retro-fitted to existing production machinery. Custom built touch-screen terminals allow operators access to software and current production data. INFORM can also be used to display the current state of the production queue on large screen displays throughout the site.

INFORM is designed to address common issues within the food production industry such as run shortages and communication difficulties arising from environmental noise and language barriers between the head and tail of the production line.

INFORM 'Print & Apply' also has the capability to design labels and control labelling conveyors and applicators attached to the production line.

Software in the Office
Configuration of:
-products
-ingredients
-nutritional information
-allergens
-customers
-production lines
-Customer specific variables (label barcodes price lists)
label sets/designs
Work in progress (real-time display)
Historic production reporting

Large Screen Displays
INFORM can be used to display pending production queues and current line states on large screens which can be located anywhere within the customer's site. A large screen production overview could be present in the office, or on the factory floor to keep all staff appraised of the current state of production.

The Implementation
Waterproof touch-screens in custom built stainless steel enclosures which can be custom mounted onto prodution lines provide production line operatives with an interface to the software. At the head of the production line the following functionality is available:

Start and stop production
Whilst producing:
-production count
-reject count
-shortages warning
-target/actual production speed
Displays of pending production
Move production orders up/down within the pending queue
Add/remove reject from production run
Place production orders on hold (and take off hold)
Shift a production order to another line
Quickly display all 'short' production runs
Begin, pause, continue production

Print and Apply Lines
INFORM can be used to monitor and control sandwich labelling conveyors. The office side of INFORM allows the configuration of label sets, label designs and customer specific price and barcode lists to allow each label within a production run to be printed to exact requirements. A production line fitted with a sandwich labelling conveyor will also come equipped with a terminal enclosure allowing the following functionality:

Start and stop the printing process
Whilst printing:
current production run
display of last, current, next print run and print status
next production run
Quickly display all 'short' print runs
Add/remove reject from production run