Controlling a textile factory... from home

摘要

TECHNICAL FABRICS PRODUCER, SAMUEL TAILORED BONDING, HAS EXTENDED ITS AUTOMATION CONTROL SYSTEM FROM THE FACTORY TO THE OWNERS' HOUSE. Samuel Tailored Bonding has developed the traditional craft of bonding leather, textiles and other materials for clothes, shoes and upholstery into a modern industry using automated processes and international business techniques. Founded nearly forty years ago, the family owners still live on site in the glorious Marche region of eastern central Italy - which is clearly a pleasant place to work. Starting initially with supervisory control of the main production processes, the project then began to integrate them in order to improve workflow and productivity. Additional processes were added to the control systems, such as HVAC, site security and energy management. It was decided to look at the possibility of taking the automation to the level of total control. Natalie Turner, sales director at Products4Automation (P4A) takes up the story: "Samuels contacted our Italian sister company, Arking Consulting, conducting a brain storming session to establish what could be managed remotely. What emerged from this was the idea that every process in the factory could be integrated into one control system, so that energy use was optimised, quality guaranteed and productivity maximised. Further, the same could be replicated in the family's nearby house, enhancing security and improving quality of life."