Simulation and Optimization of the Table Water Production Process Using Industrial Automation Tools at “Gotitas de Vida”

In the table water production sector in Peru, many companies still rely on largely manual processes, which limits their productivity and hinders the incorporation of modern quality and efficiency standards. In this context, the company Gotitas de Vida faced significant challenges related to long processing times, manual intervention at critical stages, and a lack of traceability and control in production. In response to this problem, this research evaluated and optimised the table water production process by implementing an automated system at Gotitas de Vida, comprehensively addressing all stages from water collection and filtration to automatic washing and filling of bottles. To this end, state-of-the-art technological components such as sensors, PLCs, HMIs and automatic equipment were used. The methodology combined the diagnosis of bottlenecks, the selection and analysis of appropriate technologies, the modelling of the production process and financial evaluation using key economic indicators. The results were impressive: automation reduced the total production cycle time from 720 to 380 minutes, achieving a 52.78% improvement in time efficiency and increasing monthly production from 7,000 to 13,263 bottles. The automated system facilitated real-time monitoring and control, improving traceability, quality, and compliance with health regulations. Financially, the project achieved a NPV of S/ 3,637,889.06, an IRR of 1609.05%, and a payback period of only 23 days, confirming its high profitability and low risk. Overall, the proposed comprehensive automation represents a significant contribution to the modernisation of the table water industry under the Industry 4.0 approach, demonstrating that technological integration is essential for optimising processes, increasing competitiveness and ensuring business sustainability in the sector.