Project presentation: This project consists of modernizing all our automatic horizontal presses called P700 (7 in total) by changing the control system of the press (automate) and also the human/ machine interface (HMI) and numerous hydraulic and electrical components to improve safety, quality, efficiency and productivity

Our retrofit project for the P700 injection moulding machines represents a major step forward in optimizing our production line. This modernization is a key step towards digitizing our production data, allowing us to efficiently meet the new requirements of our customers while improving our overall performance.

SOME EXAMPLES OF IMPROVEMENT

• Integration of a PLC with an “open” program: This automaton allows us to create our own process sequences, including mold opening, grid ejection, brushing, grid rotation, vacuum, ejector closing, etc. This flexibility is essential to adapt our processes quickly to the specific needs of each production.
• Introduction of a human/machine interface (HMI) touch screen: This screen facilitates the programming and control of machines, offering an intuitive user interface and improving operational efficiency.
• Cycle meters: These meters allow to monitor and control various operations such as sampling, mold cleaning, and machine maintenance, ensuring proactive maintenance and consistent quality.
• Change of the hydraulic group and various components (potentiometers, solenoids, …): This improvement reduces our electricity consumption, contributing to our objective of reducing our environmental impact
• Management of access levels: This includes change traceability, increasing security and accountability for operations.
• Implementation of an information block between the presses and the ERP: This integration ensures a smooth communication between our machines and our resource management system, allowing more efficient management and better traceability of production data.

This modernization project is a step towards the purchase and implementation of an industrial information management system of type MES (Manufacturing Execution System), which will be connected to our ERP.

THE BENEFITS OF MODERNIZING OUR INJECTION PRESS FLEET

• Increase in part quality through repeatability and consistency of production cycles
• Increased productivity by reducing downtime and quality defects, allowing faster and more efficient response to orders.
• Reducing our environmental impact by reducing waste and electricity consumption, aligning our production with current environmental standards.
• Adaptation to new customer demands: ability to customize our processes according to the specific requirements of each client.

EXPECTED GAINS:

• Production capacity increase of 20%: This significant increase allows us to meet growing demand while maintaining high quality standards.
• Training employees on higher value tasks: By automating repetitive tasks, our employees can focus on more complex and strategic tasks.
• Reduction of 12% in our energy consumption contributing to the reduction of our ecological footprint and a more sustainable management of resources.

Planning, progress: this project launched 3 years ago is almost finished

With this modernization, we are positioning ourselves as an innovative and responsible player in the injection molding sector, ready to meet future challenges and seize new opportunities.