~ Automation specialist calls on UK manufacturers to strengthen efficiency in their operations ~
Industrial automation specialist Novotek UK and Ireland, in partnership with GE Digital, is calling for food, beverage and consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers to bolster their operational efficiency with modern automation software. Novotek is offering UK companies a free trial of the latest version of GE Digital’s iFIX HMI/SCADA software, which gives operators real-time visibility into equipment and processes on the plant floor with a streamlined interface. Engineers can register for the trial on the GE Digital website.
For many food and beverage manufacturers and CPG companies, most of the workforce is on the plant floor, working at individual pieces of equipment or on production lines. Establishing real-time visibility into equipment and processes with iFIX can empower operators to quickly identify problems and decrease unplanned downtime.
GE Digital’s iFIX HMI pulls together key operational and performance data from connected systems and equipment into a simple user interface with visualisations of data. The streamlined interface makes it easier for engineers to respond to abnormal operating behaviours and manage system alarms.
“The food and beverage industry is by far the largest manufacturing sector in the UK,” explained George Walker, managing director of Novotek UK and Ireland. “As such, there is a substantial potential for increased efficiency and output.
“In plants that adopt iFIX, we’ve already seen 50 per cent decreases in cycle downtime, 25 per cent reduction in plant downtime and 150 per cent increases in output capability. iFIX can also help plant operators meet emissions and sustainability guidelines, reducing furnace emissions by up to 80 per cent.”
Further results from iFIX in food and beverage plants include $5M annual quality improvement savings, five per cent increased production, 25 per cent defect reduction, 70 per cent data quality increase and five per cent reduced raw material waste.
The free trial consists of the standard iFIX software, including sample systems and templates for CPG, food and beverage manufacturers. These templates are based on industry standards, allowing them to be deployed right out of the box to reduce setup time in fast-moving businesses.
Further information on GE Digital’s iFIX HMI/SCADA software can be found on Novotek UK and Ireland’s website. To register for the free trial of iFIX, visit the GE Digital website.
