Avery Weigh-Tronix (USA) - With over 33 years of experience in integration of batching and bagging systems for the feed and grain industries, Jorge E. Jaramillo & Cia. S.A.S prides itself on delivering quality solutions to its customers. As a sole contractor for all weighing needs of a new feed plant with a monthly capacity of 40,000 metric tons, the company sought a manufacturer that would meet and exceed its customer’s weighing expectations.

The importance of data:
For feed and grain applications, it is essential to ensure exact measurement throughout all processes, as incorrect mixtures can lead to poor customer satisfaction, decreased product quality and lost profits. However, these applications not only require the highest level of precision in all aspects of production, but also the ability to record data and provide real-time reports.

“In these times of volatile commodity/input prices, it is important to ensure operations achieve the necessary accuracy and data management—and, even more so, that customers are aware of it,” said H. Mesa.

Measure, control, communicate:
To meet industry and customer demands, Colombia Feed Mill implemented Avery Weigh-Tronix indicators to operate its batching systems, liquids metering, bulk scales, micro ingredient systems, fats coating systems for feed pellets and bulk load-out scales. A total of 14 indicators were purchased to use with multiple scales and plant-based PLCs.

Avery Weigh-Tronix indicators were employed to measure, control and communicate weight displays throughout the manufacturing plant. With multiple scale input signals, enhanced database memory, I/O capability and programmable digital inputs and outputs, these indicators provided the flexibility needed to improve production efficiency in a busy environment, while ensuring precise, accurate measurements.

Flexible, programmable Weight Indicators:
“We selected Avery Weigh-Tronix indicators due to their high level of flexibility,” said Mesa. “With so many scales in place, it was beneficial to be able to program each indicator individually to tailor its exact function.”

In addition to flexible performance, Avery Weigh-Tronix indicators also provided enhanced data management capabilities by interfacing directly with the customer’s PLCs. Instead of time-consuming, redundant data entry and management, the indicators allowed data to be quickly transferred wirelessly for real-time status updates or to a USB thumb drive to create a mobile method of memory transfer.

Real-time status updates, for improved process control:
“Real-time status updates enhanced our operations immensely,” added Mesa. “We always knew exactly where and what was being done at any given time. This not only improved production control, but also notified us of any issues or downtime immediately.”

Measureable cost savings:
With the assistance of Avery Weigh-Tronix indicators, Colombia Feed Mill has noticed a significant improvement in savings by lowering labor costs and expediting weighing procedures. Further, exact measurement ensured consistent product quality.

“These indicators help us guarantee high quality products each and every time,” said Mesa. “It's a win-win situation for us as a manufacturer and our end-user customers.”

Colombia Feed Mill has had Avery Weigh-Tronix indicators in operation for a number of years and continues to have success with them.