Application of JDF in Carton Design and Processing

Through the use of the Web Open Data (Network Open Data) system, Bobst connects the equipment it sells to Rondo, a specialty pharmaceutical packaging manufacturer, with the SAP management software package, and JDF is the bridge between the two systems.

The inevitable choice of JDF
Rondo, based in Allschwil, Switzerland, is part of the Ké°Žber Group, which employs 8,500 people worldwide and has annual sales of 1.5 billion euros. Rondo is part of the group's Medipak division, which employs 200 employees and specializes in providing cardboard packaging and processing services.

In order to meet the stringent quality requirements specifically required for this pharmaceutical packaging operation, Rondo has followed the policy of continuously investing in the latest production technologies. As a short-lived expert, Rondo believes that it must constantly optimize its operations, especially to reduce the number of interfaces between internal systems.

To increase productivity and service quality, Rondo’s management decided to purchase an integrated business management software, the so-called ERP system. The last software system selected was SAP, which enabled the company to use the same information system to coordinate the activities of its various departments such as purchasing, production, marketing, and human resources.

One of Rondo's standards is that it does not want a mix of multiple independent software systems, but insists that all input must be connected to the SAP system. This is why Rondo chose JDF as a bridge between the ERP system and the production process.

The benefits of JDF
Why choose JDF? Rondo’s chief information and project officer, Franziska Geiser-Bedon, explained the reason: “Everyone of 80% of Rondo's customers use the SAP system and have already sent us orders through it. In addition, JDF can also take us a step further. With the bridge between our ERP and the machine, we can monitor the customer's order from beginning to end. What we get is of course real-time information, and we can also analyze the productivity of the machine."

“For us, one of the key benefits of taking the SAP/JDF route is two-way data flow. This will bring considerable savings to the plant. For example, the ability to access historical data can reduce repetitive production tasks. Setting time." Franziska Geiser-Bedon said: "Compared to our previous data, the data obtained through ERP is of higher quality, more complete, faster, and safer, which allows us to work on Production costs are more strictly controlled."

But the benefits go far beyond sales and production. “Beyond Rondo, our two major paperboard suppliers have already connected to us through the same software system. Our long-term plan is for our bank to use it for delivery of payment receipts.”

Why choose JDF instead of a patented system? Franziska Geiser-Bedon understands that Rondo does not want to be confined to a patented system, and that these systems will not have a long lifespan. On the contrary, the standard that the company needs is for her to be the client to set the standard, not the processor. "JDF, like in the commercial printing industry, is firmly anchoring its position in the packaging industry," she said. "From a machine perspective, it makes it possible to create 'plug and play' connections in the production process. It also enables us to rationalize the flow of information between machines and ERP."

JDF program implementation
After deciding to implement the SAP/JDF program, Rondo contacted its suppliers of pre-press (Esko), print (Man-Rolan) and after-press (Bobst) equipment to discuss how they could help the company implement this solution. Bobst integrates its equipment with Rondo's systems through its Network Open Data (WOD) solution. Through its two-way data stream, the WOD solution receives information from SAP and then transmits it to the Bobst device in the workshop. Finally, the information is fed back to SAP.

The WOD solution consists of two parts - Shop Floor (workshop site) and Web Open Data (network open data). The Shop Floor has a dual function, which is both the operator interface between the operator and the ERP and the connection channel between the ERP and the operator. . And Web Open Data is a hidden system, more like a black box, responsible for collecting information from the machine.

For Franziska Geiser-Bedon, Bobst's WOD solution is an automatic tool that sets the parameters of the job and can also assist in the manual part of the set-up operation, thereby greatly reducing the overall setup time. “Without the two-way flow of data between the ERP and the machine, the ERP system will not work correctly. The data we have obtained allows us to identify problems with shutdowns and setups and correct them accordingly. Now JDF can let us know. Where is the cardboard missing, what happened, and what are the necessary things to help us improve. With the PDF, we know that our production will continue to improve."