One of the line’s features most liked by Haremar’s corporate vice president Mark Lichtblau is Battenfeld Gloucester’s Extrol® integrated line control system. It monitors and controls the entire line from resin handling through the extrusion and web handling processes. Operators are able to access and view real-time, critical line information, including raw material inventory levels, the number of rolls made, footage on a roll and shift reports. Data points can be exported to any Windows®-based spreadsheet or database program for trending and analysis. “All the diagnostics, trends and data make a good operator better,” points out Lichtblau. “Rather than operating on assumptions, this confirms assumptions.”
Extrol Anywhere® allows remote access to the system. For a line running 24/7, Lichtblau likes that feature: “You don’t have to be in front of the machine to see what’s happening.” It enables Battenfeld technicians to conduct a service call, and even make machine adjustments, by remote control. That’s done using a remote PC loaded with special software and a modem. “It’s great for troubleshooting,” he remarks, ”and it beats a service call.”
See the main story that goes with this sidebar: Tri-extrusion heightens Haremar’s capability
