Some Change is Good: Equipment Integration Challenges
Equipment integration is an important piece of the changeover puzzle that shouldn't be overlooked. Packaging lines typically contain a wide variety of machines from many different vendors. While there are standard types of equipment, packaging machine builders tend to specialize and make a specific type of machine for unique applications.
"Each machine from different manufacturers will change over differently," warns Stanley Johnson, executive vice president of Schneider Packaging Equipment Co. (Brewerton, NY). "They will use different tools or handles, or have different methods for indicating change adjustments. And, if some of the equipment is documented in inches and others in millimeters, it will be important to highlight the differences for the operator."