Production vending machine

A Vending machine in production is a robust dispensing system developed specifically for the demanding requirements of industrial manufacturing environments. It provides decentralised supply of food to employees as well as indirect material (MRO).

Function and area of use

Distances in production halls are often long. A central vending machine saves valuable working time by providing drinks, energy-rich snacks or hot meals right next to the machines. This is particularly important in three-shift operation when the company canteen is closed.

In addition to catering, production vending machines are often used as material dispensing systems. They dispense gloves, hearing protection, cutting tools or lubricants. Such vending machines can be integrated into Industry 4.0 infrastructure so that stock levels are reported automatically to the ERP system.

In production, the hardware must be extremely resistant to dust, vibration and temperature fluctuations. There are units with special filters and reinforced mechanics for this, which work reliably even under harsh conditions.

Advantages

• Major reduction in unproductive walking by employees
• 24/7 supply for all shift patterns without staff effort
• Reliable dispensing of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Fully automatic stock monitoring prevents production stoppages
• Robust construction for use in dirty environments
• Transparent consumption documentation per employee or order

Technical details

Industrial vending machines have protected ventilation systems against metal dust and oil mist. Control is via industrial interfaces (OPC UA possible). Compartment loads are designed for heavy machine parts or large drinks containers.

Frequently asked questions

Can the vending machine recognise who took which part?

Yes. By logging in with an RFID works ID card, every withdrawal is assigned to the respective employee to the second.

How is restocking coordinated in large halls?

Thanks to real-time telemetry, the restocker can see exactly on a tablet which vending machine in which hall needs restocking, before a compartment is empty.

Related terms

• B2B vending machine
• IoT vending machine
• Goods dispensing system
• Tool vending machine
• PPE vending machine (personal protective equipment)

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