Changeover

In industrial automation “changeover” refers to the process of transitioning a machine or production line from working on one product to another. Changeovers in production lines are typically characterized by long machine downtime, resulting in high costs due to unoptimized production time.

This transition involves three main stages known as the “3 Ups”:

• Clean-up involves removing all materials, and components related to the product from the production line, as well as the product itself.

• Set-up is the process of adjusting equipment or changing non-adjustable parts to accommodate the next product.

• Start-up involves fine-tuning the equipment after restarting and addressing any errors and issues that may arise.

With the implementation of adaptive manufacturing, facilitated by IO-Link Wireless connectivity, changeovers became seamless, quick, and efficient. IO-Link Wireless enables seamless communication between devices, such as grippers and sensors, enabling automatic handling of changeovers between different product runs without downtime or the need for manual intervention.

This technological advancement also supports sustainability efforts by encouraging the adoption of more eco-friendly materials and streamlining production processes to accommodate dynamic consumer demands, ultimately enhancing flexibility, reducing changeover times, and increasing overall efficiency in manufacturing operations.