In a fully automated plant, optimizing the material flow of the raw tobacco ensures high operational effectiveness. Blend security is essential.

Receiving & unpacking
During receiving and unpacking, cardboxes of different sub-batches are removed simultaneusly with direct infeed of the lines. As a result, packages of different sub-batches are mixed up in the unpacking area. Transport plates (slaveboards) with RFID tags are used for transporting cardboxes and unpacked tobacco bales. The  MOBY RFID tag stores all relevant material handling data.
The tracking system ensures that each unpacking unit is marked with the correct data, such as cardbox type, whether cardbox is to be removed in one step or two, or whether the bale is to be turned. It also makes sure that the transport system will receive the correct data about each sub-batch, such as which bale it belongs to and which line it should be processed in.

Slicing & conditioning
Before the tobacco runs through the direct conditioning cylinder, the tobacco bales are cut in slices to make them easier to process. An accumulation conveyor usually serves as a buffer between the unpacking area and the slicer.
Safety equipment along the accumulation conveyor and at the slicer is fully integrated into the conditioning line’s automation concept.