FORTRESS Technology has announced plans to launch a multi-machine data connection package at PPMA Show 2023.
The firm said the move has been made in response to ‘repeatable calls’ by food manufacturers for a single centralised data collection package that can work across an unlimited number of inspection machines including checkweighers, metal detectors, x-ray and even label and coding machines.
Featuring a ‘simple’ front-end system, manufacturers can connect as many or as few inspection devices on one software system, including non-Fortress machines. Fortress explained this will give food and beverage factories ‘total quality control and oversight’ across entire production lines. Machine data connections can even be made across multiple sites and monitored remotely.
Once installed, the subscription-style data collection package can be scaled up to incorporate more machines. Options range from a weight and quality monitoring system that captures and records incoming data against pre-determined target ranges by product, to monitoring and reporting COP checks. All data is date and time stamped, logged, and reports all non-conformities. Alerts by email can be issued when actions are required.
Jodie Curry, Fortress Europe’s commercial manager, said, “With these new data package options, the front-end structure has been kept simple. This is intentional as it helps to keep data manageable, as well as delivering meaningful quality oversight for production and quality managers.
“In addition to recording data, the software analyses the data generated in real-time, immediately highlighting any critical parameters, such as contaminant reject trends and weight overfill costings, as well as red flagging processes that might be drifting from specification.”
Additional reports that can be extracted include line efficiency, production rates, batch performance, Trading Standards records and audit data. Detailed records can be produced for any defined timeframe detailing what was happening during the inspection of packs.
Available on a monthly subscription, once the software has been installed, additional devices, locations and sites can be added without having the repurchase the software.
