Tag: quality

Connecting Islands of Automation

Written on by frain-sales

In John Henry’s white paper, Flat-Top Conveyor Basics, he explains that “conveyors are intelligent bridges between islands of automation.”

A complete, dry product filling line filling 16 ounces of peanuts at 20 bottles per minute is a great example.

Each automated machine is connected by different conveyors – 3 bottomless side belt and 1 table top –  that push the product to the next machine. When the product arrives at its final destination – an unscrambler – the product is ready to be boxed.

Would it be possible for these islands of automation to effectively generate the same product without conveyors? Maybe, but smart automation cannot occur without automated machinery or the bridges that connect them.

Islands-of-Automation-Meijer

Optimizing production relies on different variables, including equipment, technology, artificial intelligence, data, and more. It helps increase productivity, efficiency, quality, and safety while reducing the cost of labor and damaged material.

At Frain, we can quickly and effectively help you connect islands of automation to intelligent bridges.

Our team is available to help you enhance and automate your production application faster than anyone else.

Click here to learn more about the complete packaging line that is shown above.

Tug-of-War

Written on by frain-sales

Customers appear to be attracted to uniqueness and differentiation as well as similarity and consistency when it comes to products. With the amount of options available, the best of both worlds is attainable.

Companies, nonetheless, are at a constant tug-of-war with consumer-targeted items that can be identically reproduced efficiently and effectively. This challenge has prompted diversity (i.e. flavor explosion), boosted consumer interaction, and increased product quality.

At the beginning of the millennium, for instance, men were the predominant group of craft beer drinkers. That, however, shifted in recent years as craft beer climbed in popularity among a diverse group of drinkers. Craft breweries adapted by providing a “full-flavored beer movement” focused around quality. Some breweries -although typically small- even began production to sell at markets to accommodate their followers.

It appears that craft brewers found the niche in keeping the constant tug-of-war balance some companies face:

  • Adaptation
  • Quality product
  • Efficient and effective production

Companies must adapt to consumer demand and must do so quickly. At Frain, we just don’t provide packaging and processing equipment. We provide solutions. We help our customers quickly adapt to market changes and maximize revenue.

Every unit that leaves our warehouse is completely inspected, refurbished and configured to our customer’s product specifications. Our integration, automation, and other service options are also customized to their application for the most efficient and effective production.

Identically reproducing quality products that are unique in the customer’s eye is ultimately the difference between surviving or winning the tug-of-war. Frain can get you there.

 

Resources:

https://www.brewersassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Demographics-of-craft-beer.pdf
https://www.brewersassociation.org/press-releases/small-independent-brewers-continue-grow-double-digits/

The Social Push

Written on by frain-sales

With a tremendous rise in social media, companies, sectors, groups, individuals, etc. have been “exposed”.  Customers are not only expressing their likes/dislikes to the manufacturer. They are using public displays and online interaction to express concern, dejection, amazement or favoritism toward a brand, product, person and everything in between.

For example, a loyal customer shared her disgust of a cosmetic product over social media and even directly to the founder of the company: “So,,, I hit pan on my @JeffreeStar highlight and found HAIR embedded into it.” Another shared disbelief and difficulty supporting a product: “Your beef is frozen and we all know it. Y’all know we laugh at your slogan ‘fresh, never frozen’ right? Like you’re really a joke.”

As a result to public complaints, many companies have directly pushed for transparency and optimization of quality to improve their products.

Some companies turned to Frain for the automation of their production lines by using robots, detection technology or equipment that decreased the number of operators to reduce human error. Customers selected from a wide variety of packaging and processing equipment to convert to a semi-automatic or automatic process to enrich production lines and quality control.

Whether you prefer data collection/analyzation or a combination of both automation and data, Frain has the equipment needed for a seamless transition. Our technicians, mechanics, and engineers are dedicated to your equipment goals and integration requirements.

Let Frain help you like it has helped other companies.

Intelligent Automation

Written on by frain-sales

A highly-fantasized process, automation can be as simple as auto-updating computer programs or as complicated as a packaging system of automatic equipment. Though automation has highly reduced time and labor when properly implemented, intelligent automation will help adapt to new technologies and innovations.

In effect, the goal of a smart and automatic packaging line is to optimize the production using multiple variables including computer vision, robots, or other artificial intelligence/technology, thus intelligent automation.

Take for example, a manufacturing robot can be programmed to efficiently perform unique tasks in different industries and in one or more patterns. In the confection industry, a pick and place robot may be used to package chocolates in a container while the same pick and place robot may be used to handle/sort parts in the automotive industry.

Compiling and analyzing information is another equally important part of intelligent automation. Smart automation systems, for instance, collect data and use it to learn, adapt, and increase the efficiency of a process. Companies, such as Audi and Volvo, for instance, are using big data, including map grids, to introduce self-driven vehicles in the future.

Some individuals maintain that there is data that implies that consumers want less variation and more consistency when it comes to certain products. In fact, I recently read a consumer complaint on twitter that highlighted a discrepancy on the amount of frosting on a Pop Tart: “I’VE NEVER IN MY LIFE BEEN SO DISRESPECTED. @PopTarts411”. Another consumer described faulty brushes: “So I got new @kyliecosmetics lip glosses…. SO disappointed in this product. That wand is unacceptable”.

Both consumers brought up two great concerns: Why are the same items different from one another? What happened to quality control?

Solution to those questions can be provided with the use of intelligent automation of packaging and processing equipment. At Frain, we can help you automate intelligently – and quickly – by enhancing your production/packaging performance and efficiency while at the same time ensuring product quality.

Our trusted integration service, automation machinery, and project delivery speed sets our customers apart from their competitors.

Make Magic Happen with Machinery

Written on by frain-sales

It’s a phrase that’s been uttered a million times from one person to the next:

I Bet You Can’t Do That Again

Usually, it comes after something so amazing and inimitable has been accomplished that we assume it cannot be repeated by any human being.

Being repeatably and reliably amazing is an unusual quality of humans.

When someone accomplishes a close likeness to repeatably amazing, we’re likely packing stadiums or at least paying to watch these individuals work their magic.

After all, we’re humans, not machines.  To err is human.

The machine offers a consistency of quality desired, even for artists.

As evidence by “the telephone game” even passing a simple message across several people multiplies the variations of error.

The quality and consistency of our daily motions vary tremendously.

Quality is best defined as “Absence of Variation”, that is, the first piece, the last piece, and all pieces in between are exactly the same.

Machinery helps us dial into and maintain consistency, quality, and absence of variation.

With machinery, you can bet on making your magic happen again and again, consistently.

 

 

Automate for Quality

Written on by Rich Frain

People wreck your quality.

Not on purpose. Most people try very hard not to wreck quality and generally do pretty well. Still…

Quality is best defined as “Absence of Variation”, that is, the first piece, the last piece, and all pieces in between are exactly the same. In our real world, exactly never happens, of course, but it always needs to be the goal.

People, no matter how hard we try, can never do something exactly the same twice in a row. Multiple people multiply the variation. We’ll always be slightly different.

People are also notoriously dirty. Again, most people practice good hygiene and try their best to be clean. The reality is that we are big bags of germs. Even a scrupulously healthy and clean person can contaminate with a sneeze or a touch.

We hear “handmade”, “artisanal” and other terms bandied about as desirable attributes. They are, in some cases. We probably don’t want to pay a lot of money for an artwork that is exactly the same as 1,000 others. We want ours to be unique. Those are the exceptions.

When I see handmade, I generally see it as a negative. I want machine made. I want quality. I want it to be the same as last time. I don’t want not quite, I want exactly.

The only way to do this is with automation.

A well designed and properly maintained machine, will do everything the same way every cycle. The first, last and in-between products will be the same. Machines do get out of adjustment but they usually do it in a predictable way and can be brought back to setpoint. Materials and components can vary but this too can be addressed.

Automation does require investment. It used to be that if the production wasn’t needed, the investment sat there with no return. Rental machinery from Frain has eliminated that issue. It’s as easy as Uber.

Automate or get run over. It makes your product better and your people more productive.

Machinery ASAP

Written on by frain-sales

A question we always ask every customer is – when do you need the machinery?

Or, we’ll ask, when do you need the equipment up and running with your product at your facility?

Sometimes, we hear laughter. Sometimes we hear panic. But, usually, we hear something to the effect of:

  • “I need it now, right away.”
  • “I need the equipment yesterday.”

Or, the very brief and to-the-point answer the sums up when most customers need the equipment:

  • “I need it A.S.A.P.”

Many of our customers are in a race against time.

We like to hear that. Why? Because we’ve uniquely built our business around getting you quality machinery quickly at a discount from new equipment.

With a vast inventory of new and used equipment available for rent, lease or purchase, we can have single machines or entire packaging lines to customers in days – not weeks or months.

We are your pit crew to get you back into production as quickly as possible with equipment you can trust.

In cases of complete packaging lines, we purchase new equipment weekly that is often included within these lines simply for the fact of having these pieces of the puzzle available when our customers need them.

We keep 150,000 square feet in replacement parts for our customers who automatically get 6 months warranty on replacement parts in addition to our satisfaction guarantee.

Our customers can go anywhere online to find equipment and machines – and sometimes cheaper.  But, they come to Frain when the want to get quality, working machinery or complete lines A.S.A.P.

At Frain, we specialize in delivering quality machinery and complete packaging lines A.S.A.P.

Swimming in the Fast Lane of Equipment

Written on by frain-sales

It’s been said and established that convenience drives innovation within food packaging.

Convenience in packaging means – easy to use, carry, open, close, access, eat, drink, recycle, etc.  Convenient products are ones that adapt to our busy, on-the-go lifestyles, like packages that fit perfectly within the cupholders of our cars.

We believe that within packaging and processing equipment, speed trumps all.

Too many times to count, we’ve heard our customers say that they needed the equipment yesterday.  Or, that their deadline is a week or two away.

In either case, getting machinery this fast is not the modus operandi of all packaging equipment and machinery providers.

Lead times can span months in getting equipment or complete packaging lines.

With each minute sometimes representing thousands of dollars in revenue to our customers, we know that getting machines rented or leased to our customers quickly is crucial.

But, the speed in which Frain provides packaging and processing machinery does not sacrifice quality.

At Frain, we’ve found success in adapting to our customers needs to help them deliver new or redesigned products to market faster. Our rapidly deployed machinery enables our customers to maximize short-term revenue through lead times that are faster than traditional equipment OEMs, while limiting risk and investment through renting or leasing machinery.

Whether the project fails or succeeds to gain traction within the marketplace, our customers succeed (and fail) faster and have the flexibility to return equipment or keep it as needed.

But, fast doesn’t mean rushed.

We meticulously sign off each machine after going thru customer specs, samples, and rounds of reviewing the machine running with the customer’s product.

Amazingly, all of this can happen within one week if everything is lined up properly.

However, Frain’s discipline of qualifying each machine shipped thru multiple engineer and customer checkpoints within minimal time frames is what has separated us from the rest of the industry and has us swimming in the fast lane.

Show Me The Money

Written on by frain-sales

There are many options within processing machinery, packaging equipment or complete packaging lines.

And, we appreciate the customer’s journey in exploring them all.

Minutes into many conversations we have at Frain, a common request from our prospective customers is:

Customer:  I just need a price.

We understand that you need to think things over and consider all angles.  We also understand that you may not be a first-time or last-time buyer.

That’s exactly why we don’t throw machines or prices over the fence.

Instead, we take two mins to verify your specifications and confirm that we have 90% of the machinery you need.

I say 90%, because no machinery leaves as is.

It would be a dis-service to PUSH equipment at our customers that won’t work for their application, arrive on time, etc.

Countless times, after discussing details with prospective customers, we’ve pointed them into a better and less expensive solution.

At the end of the day, we are a certified pre-owned equipment and machinery provider, but we don’t just sell machines – or, pass along prices.

Frain has grown and thrived for almost 40 years and has tremendous experience to offer.

We have a fully integrated, engineering services division to help you throughout your project, before and after you purchase and receive the machinery.

We do have 9,000 machines for rent and lease in 1.5 million square feet of storage.  And, we have a growing number of technicians, approximately 50 now, who work on machinery in 50,000 square feet of our main building.

Customer:  I just need a machine.

Knowing how Frain sets our equipment up, you may never buy again without checking with us first.

Many dealers and brokers purely sell on price.  They have one or two machines that they just sell as is – they plug it in and show you that the wheels go around.

We condition or customize the machine to your needs. We back it with a 6 months parts warranty.

If you’re not completely satisfied, you can send it back to us within two weeks, no questions asked.

We specialize in speed, quality, and customization.  We can get the machine to you quickly, working as intended.

All machinery that leaves our building is completely modernized.  As far as we’re concerned all the machines are 2017 when they leave our building.

Frain is not a company that’s easy to describe over the phone, video, or even in this article.  Not until you visit us, will you really get the surround effect of Frain.

Come in and visit Frain if you have the chance.  We’re different and invite you to see the difference – first hand.

Some Call it Juggling

Written on by John Henry

Driving down the expressway my wife commented on a woman putting on makeup next to us. (Guys, I’m looking at you too. I’ve caught you shaving.) That’s a bad example of parallel processing. Don’t do it!

It’s different in the plant. Here, parallel processing is generally a good thing, particularly in changeover. There are 3 ways that parallel processing can help changeover:

Multiple simultaneous operations – In changeover, while we should eliminate labor hours where possible, the focus must always be on downtime rather than labor hours. An hour of downtime costs thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. An hour of labor, fully costed, is twenty to thirty dollars in most plants. If throwing more people at the line will reduce the changeover downtime between products, by all means throw more people at the line.

In this same vein, make sure that people are waiting on the changeover rather than vice versa. Some plants require a quality inspection to release the line for production. In my experience, too many plants wait till changeover is finished before calling the inspector. I once waited 4 hours for an inspector. That was 72,000 products not produced that day.

The inspector must to be on the line waiting for changeover to finish. The line must never be waiting for a person.

External operations – Wherever possible, changeover tasks should be done with the line running. All cleaning materials and change parts should be staged before the line stops. All materials should be issued by the warehouse before the line stops.

Additional sets of parts should be purchased where necessary. There is no reason for a line to be stopped while machine parts are cleaned. Yes, an additional set of parts might cost $50,000. That’s cheap if it saves you a couple thousand dollars in daily downtime. They’ll pay for themselves in less than a month of changeovers.

Start before stopping – Don’t wait for the entire line to finish the run before starting changeover. As soon as the last bottle leaves the orienter, start changeover. As soon as the last bottle exits the filler, start working on it. And so on down the line.

Don’t parallel process while driving, anyway.

Do parallel process in your plant.

It means more product out the door and more money.

Disrupting the Mold

Written on by frain-sales

You’re probably heard the saying that you can have two of the following – fast, good, and cheap – but not all three.

After posting Price Deal or Cost, we were reminded by our customer Thomas Ball that “Frain still doesn’t market its strongest concept…the three aspects of deal Cost, Delivery Time, and Quality.  You usually can have two of the three, but Frain can provide all three:  Lower Cost, High Quality Solutions, and Quick Delivery.”

More specifically, Frain provides equipment that’s fast, good, and cheap when compared to the price of new equipment.  Here’s more:

Fast – We inventory approximately 9,000 machines supported by a staff of over 40 technicians.  Our engineers will help match you to the best machine and our technicians will get it to you much faster than traditional methods.  We find that most companies are able to benefit from this speed in terms of revenue.

Cheap – With certified pre-owned equipment you get like new equipment at a discount from new.  Side by side, they work all the same for your job – only one doesn’t cost as much.

Quality –  Our machines leave the building fully addressed by our technicians and backed by parts warranty and the Frain guarantee. If you’re not 100% satisfied, you may return it within the first two weeks – no questions asked.

 

 

due dil•i•gence

Written on by frain-sales

After explaining our process to a prospective customer, they simply stated or punctuated a phrase that explains Frain very well:

“That’s definitely due diligence.”

Here’s what our sales person explained to this equipment customer and what certainly makes Frain uniquely due diligent in the packaging and processing equipment industry:

Every machine we sell, lease or rent:

  • Goes through our shop of over 40 technicians who completely check for warn, broken or missing components to be replaced
  • Is fully addressed pneumatically, mechanically, electrically, and cosmetically – nothing leaves our building “as is” or as it was when we acquired it
  • Is set to size with your actual product samples and backed by six month warranty
  • Has to be seen and accepted by the customer running the customers product before it ships
  • Includes our guarantee and two week right of return by the customer if they’re not 100% satisfied

To all of this the prospective customer also replied, “Okay that’s cool.  I like to hear that.”

At Frain, we like to hear that we’re discussing projects with people that appreciate what we do and think its cool too!

okay-thats-cool-i-like-to-hear-that