ADSOAP: Arduino-Driven Seamless Operation Advancement in Production for Low-cost Automation System of Soap Cutting and Stamping Machines

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an exponential increase in the demand for soap, predominantly propelled by the indispensable significance of hand hygiene in effectively curbing the transmission of the virus. Nevertheless, this particular opportunity produces a significant challenge for the soap manufacturing industry to efficiently tackle the escalating soap demand while concurrently maintaining the economically sustainable pricing of soap products through the prevailing soap manufacturing methodologies. The objective of this study is to design and assess an Arduino-driven seamless operation advancement in production (ADSOAP) for low-cost automation systems utilized in soap-cutting and stamping, specifically targeting the needs and limitations of small and medium-scale manufacturers in the Philippines. The ADSOAP automation system leverages cutting-edge Arduino technology, facilitating optimal and precise management of the soap-cutting and stamping procedure. The operational evaluation of the machines within the production line for more than 12 months demonstrates promising outcomes in terms of precision and reliability. Additionally, upon analyzing customer feedback, it was observed that the machine demonstrated a substantial improvement in cutting output, achieving a 400% increase, and stampeding production, achieving a 300% increase, over time. The implementation of this significant enhancement has enabled small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the soap industry to efficiently adapt to the increasing market demand for soap.