Software for Riverdale Global’s liquid-color metering equipment tracks color matches, orders and material usage by machine, operator, job or facility in real time. Company officials say it is easy to use and can be applied across multiple plants.
GlobalTracker, which was introduced at NPE2018, now is in use by many customers, said Paul Maguire, president of Riverdale Global. The software records data from multiple molding or extrusion lines and puts that information to work. Production management, order entry and color matching now are part of the information collected in an Industry 4.0 model that uses the data for improving operations. The color-matching operation is automated and computer- controlled with lot numbers for traceability so documenting compliance no longer requires a paper chase.
“Our mission with the GlobalTracker product is to stay one step ahead of our customers’ need and expectation for real-time, up-to-date information on all aspects of color management,” Maguire said. “We continually work toward improving the tools and processes for color matching, order processing, inventory tracking, equipment monitoring, compliance tracking and employee/operator training.”
Riverdale Global offers GlobalTracker at no charge to its customers. The software uses real-time, companywide data from liquid-color metering devices to automate many purchasing, production-management and compliance functions, and it makes remote troubleshooting possible.
For the system to function, special transmission boxes at the customer’s plant receive data from the controllers on liquid-color metering devices. The boxes transmit this data to Riverdale Global via the Internet or a cellular network, according to the company.
The GlobalTracker software on the Riverdale Global servers tracks material usage and records job-specific data such as operator ID, work order, lot number and color. This capability extends to all production lines, whether in a single facility or at multiple plants. The customer can access GlobalTracker information using a desktop computer, tablet or smartphone.
Once customers log in to the GlobalTracker system, they can access information on open, invoiced and paid orders, search their order history by order or by production job, see their color-match status, submit new color matches and document production runs for compliance with job specifications or regulatory requirements.
The customer can set the weight/volume that will trigger the system to warn that a vessel is nearly empty, said Jared Arbeter, technical sales manager.
“The software also displays how much time is left until a bucket will be empty based on the shot weight, letdown ratio and cycle time. This allows workers to plan bucket changes and reduces the chance of losing color on the line,” he said.
Angie DeRosa, managing editor
Contact:
Riverdale Global LLC Aston, Pa., 610-358-2900, www.riverdaleglobal.com
