According to ELAU technology evangelist Tom Jensen, modular software design benefits packaging automation for the same reason that World Batch Forum (WBF) recommends modularity in process automation. His presentation at the WBF 2006 Forum in Atlanta demonstrated that when implemented with ISA-88 (IEC 61512) principles in the IEC 61131-3 international standard automation programming languages, modularity becomes a powerful tool for both machine builders and users.

The cost is upfront development of programming best practices, templates, and software object (IEC Function Block) libraries. To reduce this investment, Jensen showed how three OEMs used ELAU’s extensive pre-tested, ready-to-use Function Block libraries instead of reinventing the wheel. These were Kappa Herzberger, HAMBA Filtec and Hassia Redatron.

The benefits include documented engineering time savings of 70 to 80% by machine builders, better engineering collaboration between OEMs and specifiers, and ongoing reduction in users’ Total Cost of Ownership through reusability, consistency, maintainability, mechanical modularity and execution speed. In addition, validation savings of 40% have been documented in regulated environments.

Get the whole story: Click here!