7 replies to this topic

[RDM_Rep]

Good afternoon, I work for a facility where we do plastic and paper converting. We are preparing for our SQF audit and want to start naming and labeling our machines for our traceability so I'm wondering how other folks have gone about physically labeling the actual machine with it's name/code?

 

Ideas that have been proposed here are paint and stencil, laminated tags (how to attach?), signs hanging on chains from ceiling (I don't know about this) or simply putting an actual label like you would on a box. Appreciate any guidance/recommendations.  

[clrmwebb4350]

Hi. We are a food packaging company that molds plastic covers, pistons, and plastic components for non food and food valves that are used in cans of whip cream, cheese whiz, foam etc.

 

We have three departments designated by 10, 20, and 30. Each machine or press has a number designated to each. 1001, 1002, 1003 ......; 2001, 2002, ..; 3001, 3002, ...

 

We use small  hard plastic placards attached to the machine with a bar code that we scan. I believe they are glued to the machine but a paper copy could also be used.  We bar code and scan everything for full traceability.  Our lot number consists of the 4 digit machine number, 2 digit operator number and the manufacture date. 

 

Each material, component, or finished product has a bar coded label. 

 

 

Hope this helps. Good luck to you!

[QMMSQF]

We are a meat processing facility and we have stainless steel sheets of metal with the number punched out of them.  They are able to be cleaned and are secured well to our equipment without any issues so far.

[Miss Frankie]

We use engraved numbered tags.  With an abbreviation and number for each piece of equipment.

Example,  pack belt would be PB1, PB2. ,  Glaze tanks would be GT1, GT2, etc.
You could even do each line in a different color, if you wanted.

 

These are similar to what was used, only customizable ones.

1 to 100 Engraved Number Set - 2" x 2" Square Signs, SKU: SE-7344 (smartsign.com)

[Scampi]

We've tagged our equipment with asset numbers on stickers (on the side where no contamination can occur) the tags also include a qr code for maintenance to scan

 

Added bonus----if everyone uses the asset #s to communicate, there is never mis-understanding about which piece of equipment your talking about

[RDM_Rep]

We've tagged our equipment with asset numbers on stickers (on the side where no contamination can occur) the tags also include a qr code for maintenance to scan

 

Added bonus----if everyone uses the asset #s to communicate, there is never mis-understanding about which piece of equipment your talking about

 

Just a printed sticker/label, correct? This is what I was considering, on the side of the machine where there is no product contact. 

[Hoosiersmoker]

We are a paperboard packaging manufacturer. We use 2 forms as we use a "Vorne" system to continuously collect machine data. Each machine has a data display showing the machine number, target speed, actual speed and running OEE. Each machine is has a 3 digit identifier: the first number identifies the department (sheeting is 6, printing is 9, die cutting is 2 and Finishing / folder gluers is 2) the last 2 are the last 2 digits of the year they were purchased. So a gluer purchased in 2009 would be numbered 209 or a printing press purchased in 2015 would be 915. Each machine has a data display with the machine number. We used to hang a sign over each machine before we used the data collection system. It could also be painted on the floor at the feed of each machine if your hazard analysis determines hanging signs to be a significant hazard, but the sign doesn't have to be directly over the machine either.

[ChristinaK]

When I was in packaging (PET preforms, bottles, and jars), we used signs suspended from the ceiling and laminated labels with magnets on the back that attached to the machine. Equipment/machine name and a number or letter (ex: Blow Line 1, Injection Line A). We had the southern end of the building use numbers, and the north end used letters. Although our setup has the materials protected by enclosed machines and conveyor covers, so the potential for contamination from the signage wasn't an issue.