Integrated Recipe Management System Across Multiple Production Sites | ContiTech

Introduction

Continental is a global technology company serving automotive and industrial markets. Its ContiTech business develops products and systems based on rubber and other materials for industrial applications. 

Project Overview

ContiTech used a production-planning module in the previous ERP environment for rubber compound mixing. The module stored the machine parameters, routing information, and material information required for production, but it would not be migrated to the new ERP environment.

The project connected LineWorks RM, camLine’s Recipe Management System, with ContiTech’s factory automation, ERP, and internal Manufacturing Execution System (MES). This provided engineers and operators with access to the recipe and production information required for the mixing process.

Objectives

• Manage raw materials, Bills of Materials (BOMs), routings, machine recipes, production versions, and machine parameters in LineWorks RM.
• Exchange released recipe and production information with the ERP.
• Supply the machine parameters required by the internal MES for production orders.
• Provide process engineers with browser-based access and operators with localized production instructions.
• Operate one Recipe Management System across several production facilities.

Solution

LineWorks RM was implemented across multiple production sites as an integrated recipe management solution connected to ContiTech’s ERP, internal MES, and factory automation, with role-specific access for engineers and operators.

The implementation covers four connected areas:

• Recipe data and ERP exchange: Raw materials, BOMs, routings, machine recipes, production versions, and machine parameters are managed in LineWorks RM. Active BOMs are sent to the ERP, while relevant material-status changes are returned to LineWorks RM.
• Production-order processing: Production orders are transferred from the ERP to the internal MES. The MES requests the required machine recipe, and an adapter service transfers the corresponding machine parameters.
• Access for engineers and operators: RMS Web gives process engineers browser access to their daily tasks. Localized printouts provide operators with production instructions and allow them to continue the mixing process manually during an automation outage.
• Cloud deployment and system updates: Containerized services run within ContiTech’s controlled cloud environment. Changes are tested in a separate quality-assurance environment before release to production, while recovery controls and database backups support the 24/7 operating model.

The first go-live took place at the Szeged site in September 2023.

Business Benefits

1. Continuity Through the ERP Migration

LineWorks RM took over the material, routing, and machine-parameter functions that were not moved to the new ERP environment. This kept the production information required for rubber compound mixing available after the migration.

2. Shared Recipe Information Across Multiple Facilities

With BOMs, routings, and machine parameters maintained in one system, several production facilities can use the same released production information through their connected ERP and MES workflows. 

3. Information Suited to Each User Group

RMS Web gives process engineers browser access to their daily tasks, while localized printouts provide operators with production instructions in their local language. The printouts also allow operators to continue the mixing process manually during an automation outage.

4. 24/7 Operation with Controlled Updates

The cloud architecture supports system updates and recovery while LineWorks RM remains available for production.