Meulenbroek optimizes emptying process of press containers with IoT
By the press containers and stationary presses of Mill pants companies are able to significantly reduce waste volume, resulting in lower transportation costs. The presses also ensure a cleaner, more efficient and safer waste streams. Meulenbroek's press solutions can be found at nursing homes, hospitals, supermarkets, campsites, restaurants, large companies, distribution centres and waste collection points. In order to optimise the process even further, Meulenbroek has recently IoT nodes added to her portfolio. We spoke with Rob Daggenvoorde, process engineer at Meulenbroek about the development of the IoT nodes and the collaboration with Delmation.
More efficient emptying through online monitoring
Determining the optimal time of emptying is important for Meulenbroek's customers. Emptying too early costs extra money and on the other hand you don't want the press to be full and therefore unusable.
Rob Daggenvoorde: “Because of the online monitoring of our presses can it process much more efficient be made. In mid-2021, we approached Delmation for the possibilities. We were looking for a standard solution and we wanted to unlock the data on both customer portals and our own environment. The nodes are installed in various environments, such as factory halls, parking garages, cellars and outdoor locations. Good coverage must also be guaranteed in these environments. An additional wish was to make the node suitable for both a battery as for mains power.”
Custom made NB-IoT node
In order to meet all the wishes and requirements, it soon became clear that a standard node was not suitable. Rob Daggenvoorde: “Our perfect sensor was not available on the market, but Delmation did see opportunities to have it developed by sister company Alflex. Alflex has the solution for us custom made NB-IoT node developed. The choice for NB-IoT was made very consciously. Both with a view to the battery possibility and the NB-IoT signal permeability this turned out to be the right network. The nodes are provided by Delmation inclusive 10 years of NB-IoT connectivityThe software portal was developed by Delmation itself based on their SenseBoard solution. Via the Senseboard IoT portal it is very easy to add LoRa and NB-IoT sensors and then present the measurement data in different ways. It is also easy to create a alarm notification to be generated when a certain set limit is exceeded limit value.”
IoT Nodes and collaboration with Delmation a great success
The nodes are now being used in various places and the reactions are very positive. Rob Daggenvoorde: “The nodes work so well that we have added them to the Meulenbroek product portfolio. In addition to applying the nodes to our own presses, they have also been delivered to other customers and mounted on other types of machines. We are therefore very pleased with the collaboration. The specialists of Delmation/Alflex have few words enough and the customer-specific node was quickly realized. Knowledge of the business and short lines were the key to success. A clear profit for the entire chain!