Effect of Preventive Maintenance on Machine Reliability in a Beverage Packaging Plant

This paper investigates the effect of preventive maintenance on the reliabilities of devices in a bottling plant. Six months of real-time maintenance data were analyzed quantitatively. Based on the breakdown events obtained for each machine, mean time between failure (MTBF), mean time to repair (MTTR), and failure rate (λ) values for individual equipment are calculated. The bottle packer, empty bottle inspector (EBI), and palletizer are identified as the plant's critical machines. A breakdown analysis (BDA) is then performed on the bottle packer and from the failure mode of all the reoccurring problems affecting this machine as a result of ineffective PM. An autonomous maintenance (AM) team is set up as part of establishing an effective PM program to improve the reliabilities of the critical machines that were continually falling. A significant reduction in machine breakdowns is observed after two months of rolling out the AM program. As a result, the reliability of bottle packer increased from 55.30% to 70.80%, while EBI and palletizer increased from 89.20% and 87.20% to 92% and 90.50%, respectively.

Opinion of the Hungarian Population on the Reform of Beverage Packaging Deposit-Refund System

The research subject is the deposit-refund system of beverage packaging (PET, glass and aluminium) in Hungary, which is under development. For the success of the planned system, it is important to consider the population’s opinion. Therefore, data from a primary questionnaire survey were used for the analyses. This questionnaire was conducted in 2020 and resulted in an evaluable sample of 20,430 people. The study aims to answer the following research questions (Q). Q1. Does the reform of the beverage packaging deposit-refund system in Hungary have a raison d’être? Q2. What are the demographic characteristics (gender, type of residence, qualification) of those who would redeem beverage packaging in their households if the state paid for it? Q3. Do the demographic characteristics and/or the environmental attitudes of individuals significantly influence their perceptions of the planned new system, and how strong is the relationship between them? As for the method for answering the research questions, descriptive statistics and relationship analyses (Cramer’s V and Kendall’s tau) were applied to the closed answers. The results show that the analysis of the primary research provides well-determined directions for legislators and decision makers who develop the detailed operating rules of the new system.

Pemanfaatan RFID, Loadcell, dan Sensor Infrared Untuk Miniatur Penukaran Botol Plastik Bekas

An embedded system has been fabricated through the use of the RFID module, load cell, and infrared sensor assisted by the Arduino module. The objectives of this study are to design an embedded system and embed applications and measure the performance of the embedded system through validation tests. The research method was carried out for the realization of a miniature structure, the integrated wiring of electronic devices, and making an application based on Arduino software. Achievements during the validation test of the embedded system were carried out through three conditions. Miniature physique as a place for the subsystems of mechanical drive, controller, and the optimization of the layout of each device is an attempt to attain the hardware handshaking through integrated wiring. Acquiring applications is an attempt to attain soft handshaking. Achievement of hardware and software handshaking is carried out during the validation test, namely checking balances, cash withdrawals, and disposing of garbage. The exchange of garbage for money, after there is a high dimensional qualification with the criteria "#3big", "#2medium", or "#1small" and according to the qualifications for the net mass of the bottle with three criteria "29 grams", "19 grams", or "10 gram”. Overall, the existence of an embedded system for exchanging plastic garbage can be operated according to the design. The miniature independent platforms can be used as a reference for the construction of independent platforms that have a large capacity and are more integrative, as an effort to safeguard the existence of plastic garbage, especially bottles used for beverage packaging.

Embedded Device Berbasis PLC pada Miniatur Konveyor untuk Pengoperasian Simulator Rejection System

A PLC-based embedded device on a miniature conveyor machine for operating a rejection system has been designed and constructed. The research objectives, namely (i) design and manufacture of an integrated system, (ii) making program structure based on a ladder diagram, and (iii) measuring the performance of an integrated system. Integrated system assembled from a miniature of the conveyor machines and belt installation, and installing the dc motor, while the rejection system assembly by placing several sensors, installing stepper motor, and wiring to the PLC system. Programming based on ladder diagram carried out by determining algorithms, compiling the ladder diagram, addressing the input/output, and compiling and uploading the program from PC to PLC. The performance of the integrated system was observed when (a) observation during synchronization, (b) observations of sensor readings while the rejection system simulator is operating, and (c) observation and measurement of the processing time of the rejection arm. Overall results have been obtained in the form of a PLC-based embedded device for the rejection system simulator on observations of the condition of the bottle caps for beverage packaging. Based on the overall observation, the PLC-based embedded device has functioned to operate the rejection system can be implemented at a manufacturing scale.

On the Questionable Appeal of Glossy/Shiny Food Packaging

Those stimuli that have a shiny/glossy visual appearance are typically rated as both attractive and attention capturing. Indeed, for millennia, shiny precious metals and glossy lacquerware have been used to enhance the presentation, and thus the perception, of food and drink. As such, one might have expected that adding a shiny/glossy appearance/finish to the outer packaging of food and beverage products would also be desirable. However, the latest research appears to show that many consumers have internalised an association between glossy packaging and greasy (or unhealthy) food products, while matte packaging tends to be associated with those foods that are more natural instead. Furthermore, it turns out that many consumers do not necessarily appreciate the attempt to capture their attention that glossy packaging so often affords. At the same time, it is important to recognise that somewhat different associations may apply in the case of inner versus outer food and beverage packaging. Shiny metallic (inner) packaging may well prime (rightly or wrongly) concerns about sustainability amongst consumers. Given the research that has been published in recent years, food and beverage manufacturers/marketers should think very carefully about whether or not to introduce such shiny/glossy finishes to their packaging.

Mythos Aluminium

Aluminium hat es mit seinem Image mal schwerer, mal leichter. Im Vergleich zu den 1990er Jahren, steht das Leichtmetall derzeit definitiv wieder besser dar. Was ist dran am Mythos Aluminium? Die Redaktion des packREPORT hat nachgefragt bei Claudia Bierth, European Sustainability Manager, Ball Beverage Packaging EMEA.

Plastic Bottle Cap Recycling—Characterization of Recyclate Composition and Opportunities for Design for Circularity

In line with efforts to create a circular economy of plastics, recent EU legislation is strengthening plastic bottle recycling by ambitious separate collection targets and mandatory recycled content obligations. Furthermore, explicit design requirements on the caps of bottles and composite beverage packaging have been introduced. These caps are typically made of polyethylene or polypropylene and often contain additives such as slip agents and anti-statics. Commercially available bottle cap recyclates (BCRs) as well as specifically formulated model compounds were analyzed in terms of composition by means of infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Their composition was found to be heterogeneous due to polyolefin cross-contamination, directly reflecting the diversity of cap materials present in the market. Slip agent legacy additives originating from the initial use phase were found and quantified in both commercial and model cap recyclates. This highlights the opportunity for redesigning plastic bottle caps not only in response to regulatory requirements, but to pursue a more comprehensive strategy of product design for circularity. By including considerations of polymer resin and additive choice in cap manufacturing, more homogeneous waste streams could be derived from plastic bottle cap recycling, enabling recycling into more demanding and valuable applications.