Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) For Pharmaceutical Industries

Today's manufacturing systems are challenged by a demanding fast changing environment. Industrial firms have to implement control policies and adapt their manufacturing systems to maximize their productivity, reduce the cost and increase the quality also they have to contend with greater competition and increasingly complex supply chains created by continuing industry consolidation and globalization.To solve those problems, many companies are turning to manufacturing execution systems (MES) technology, which integrates information systems on the plant floor with overall enterprise systems. The result is the ability to weave manufacturing more closely into the business. Doing so can have a significant impact on business performance. This is done through transforming and presenting real-time information in the business context throughout the enterprise. In order to deliver a significant return on investment within a duration, a Manufacturing Execution System makes use of non-invasive, modular approach, leverages open technologies, and complements existing IT and automation systems.We applied this proposed manufacturing control system to a real industrial application which is a machine used in pharmaceutical industry contains a system that can receive and/or send data directly from and/or to the machine using a PLC Siemens S7-200 for an automation control. To that effect, a bi-directional flow of data is targeted between the machine and ERP system by using sensors, PLC, OPC servers and MES database to eliminate the chance of user fault.The most important objective of this module is to collect maximum data with minimum input by the user. Also to enable minimum data input by the user, data also. transmitted automatically from the PLC via an OPC connector which facilitate data collection from the machine without hardware and transmit it to the MES database and control panel which the user can input the data.As a result, production staff will not lose time with input of data and at the same time erroneous data input by the user will be avoid. Reduces manufacturing cycle time, reduce work-in-process inventory and reduce paperwork between shifts. Responds to unanticipated events, empowers plants operations people and eliminates lost paperwork/blueprints. All those will improve the quality, reduce the cost and improve customer service.