The Challenge
Funnel pies from a wide conveyor belt into a single file line, without colliding.
The Arena Solution
Since the system had been installed already and was in operation on a daily basis, the Rockwell Automation Arena consulting team was called to build a model using Arena packaging optimization software. Simulating a packaging process flow model to vary the current system would allow the packaging manufacturer to conduct analysis without disturbing the actual system or building costly prototypes. The model was built to represent the sortation system, input conveyor, and exit conveyor. The Arena model was constructed to allow selection between two types of release mechanisms, one which was timer-based and another which was sensor-based. An animation of the packaging process flow was developed in Arena so that analysts could observe the movement of pies and keep track of vital statistics during the course of the run.
Results
The packaging optimization model was used to test a strictly sensor base system, a timer-based system, and a combination of the two. The third option was selected because, during simulation runs, the sensor-based system increased the number of high velocity pie collisions that occurred, and the timer-based system built up too many queues inside the sortation system. The combination alternatively brought together the best of the first two options and has proven 95% to 98% effective in meeting the system objectives.
