Be more efficient by integrating data from external sources into a centralized
Quality Control Platform By Lynn Verstrepen, Adifo NV
In most cases, the capture of quality data is organized in data silos
job of the plant operators. At the creation of the sample, sample
and ends up being separated from other data. A silo is a system,
labels are generated (one label per sample to take). So based on
process, department, etc. that operates in isolation from others. As
this number, the operator knows how many samples to take and
a consequence, it is also isolated from broader decision-making.
which type of bag to use and where to send to.
Therefore, merging data silos in one central solution encourages information sharing for better business decisions.
Once the labels are printed, the operator starts the QC process by taking samples from the intake and by checking the delivery note
Besides the quality data silo challenge, organizations are willing
and truck cleaning documents. The operator fills out the document
to continuously improve efficiency at the capturing of the data. Here
conformity status in the QC software. He or she also executes a
is where smart integrations play a key role to avoid repetitive tasks,
visual control of the raw material (texture, colour, smell ‌) and
transcriptions and errors. A smart integration will also enable the
also fills out these results in the sample. During the visual check,
availability of information on time and at the correct place. Think
the operator can look at reference pictures and guidance texts in
of the operator to be notified on how many samples to take and
the QC software as shown in image 2.
where to send them to. This article focusses on three orchestrated
In this scenario, the sample also has to be NIR scanned. At
scenarios where smart integrations lead to increased efficiency in
the creation of the sample in the QC software and the assignment
a central QC platform.
of the NIR package test in the sample itself, the sample data (for example, sample code, product code and upper and lower limits)
Scenario 1 - Intake of raw materials
is automatically sent to the NIR instrument in the plant. Thanks
This scenario starts from the creation of a sample from intake of
to these limits in the NIR device, the operator has an immediate
raw materials to the approval for unloading the truck. Image 1 gives
evaluation when doing the NIR scan and can decide to rescan if
an overview of the processes that take place during the intake of
necessary.
raw materials and a few possible integrations that can be set up.
Now, when performing the actual scan, the operator will first
Image 2 and 3 show the corresponding result in a sample in Adifo’s
prepare the sample and present it to the NIR device. The operator
BESTMIX Quality Control software.
selects the sample from the sample queue in the instrument
This scenario is based on the intake being registered in the
software, ideally via barcode reading found on the sample label that
ERP or MES software of the company. This software sends the
was generated by the QC software. As a result, the product code
relevant information for the intake to the BESTMIX Quality Control
and calibration is found. The scanning is started and the instrument
software in an XML file, for example, the product name, date of
generates the prediction and the NIR software compares the results
intake, lot number, supplier, etc. As a result, a sample will be created
with the limits as delivered by the Bestmix QC software. Meanwhile
automatically in the QC software, without any user interaction. Smart
the predictions are also automatically captured in the QC software
QC software, like BESTMIX, will then assign analyses to the sample
without user interaction.
based on the quality control plan. All companies have their plans
Furthermore, the intake also has to be tested for DON, a
and targets on how often to test products in different stages of the
mycotoxin. AccuScan reader software generates the result for
logistic flow. As testing costs time and money, it is imperative to
the DON-test and saves it in an Excel file. This file is saved in
optimize the sampling and testing. Therefore, analysis schedules,
a predefined folder and is automatically processed into the QC
stating the conditions and frequency of appliance, are used to
software. This is the third integration that focusses on limiting user
automate the execution of the quality control plan.
interaction and thus increasing efficiency.
The next step in the process flow is meant to support the daily
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Pet Food Supplement 2017
At this point, all sample test results are not yet available. But as