Although significant value is added to the entire production line from raw material batching to final packaging, pelleting and distribution, the implementation of a supervisory control and data acquisition (scada) system is seldom undertaken as one complete project encompassing all the production phases simultaneously. For many companies, the process of upgrading to a scada system is undertaken over an extended period of time and completed in phases associated to each stage of the production process. The Rockland's Animal Feed project just outside Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape is no exception.
Coming under the holding company, Sovereign Foods, this company is the biggest producer of poultry in the Eastern Cape, James Leslie, the technical operations manager at the mill says: "We decided to implement the new Adroit scada system in a project split between the different feed manufacturing processes. This has assisted us greatly in that we have become increasingly efficient through the experience of implementing the first stage and believe that the next phase will be significantly easier. Using the set-up wizards to design the different user interfaces became so simple that we even designed the screens for the next few phases well ahead of implementation."
The extruder plant
The project consists of three main parts: first the raw material batching section, secondly, the mixing and pelleting process and thirdly, the incoming 'raws' and distribution of the final product.
Panels
During the first phase it was decided to have the user interfaces not just in the main control room but also in the project office. The true value of the project office link is that the easy accessibility has assisted the engineers in becoming familiar with the systems flexible design wizards that assist them to produce high-quality three dimensional user interfaces, and gave them the advantage of being able to make changes to the system while it was live and running full production. The batching phase consists of approximately 150 tags mainly assigned to control screw conveyors and a 3-ton batching scale, attached to an LG programmable logic controller (PLC) unit via Ethernet cabling. The Adroit scada system Version 5.0 runs on a Windows XP Professional platform and the data is recorded in an Access database.
The boiler
Implementation of the first phase alone has enabled the company to increase accuracy on the recipes of products it produces, which has a significantly large impact on their farms which has a total of 2 million birds at any given time. The future phases involve an upgrade which will consume a further 600 tags and will also mean the implementation of further user interfaces on the weighbridges that are currently in service to measure the approximately 7000 tons of finished product and all incoming raw materials. Alarms, redundancy and interfaces into an ERP system are all planned for the future phases. The pictures are all Screen grabs from the Rockland's scada system.
When SCADA meets the cloud Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
SCADA/HMI
Engineers are faced with the challenge of unifying legacy SCADA systems with modern, IoT-based data platforms. The trouble is, when hardware from multiple manufacturers and generations are all used in the same system, compatibility becomes an issue
Read more...Adroit Technologies drives global SCADA for Iochpe-Maxion Adroit Technologies
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Adroit Technologies has been appointed by Iochpe-Maxion, parent company of one of the world’s largest wheel manufacturers and producers of structural components in the Americas, as its global SCADA partner. The partnership will standardise operational visibility, reliability and control across 34 manufacturing facilities worldwide.
Read more...Modernising critical water systems without disruption Rockwell Automation
SCADA/HMI
The region of Waterloo needed to upgrade its SCADA and PLC systems across 157 water facilities while ensuring continuous water availability for over 60 000 residents. Their success story, powered by Rockwell Automation technology, shows that modernisation doesn’t have to mean disruption.
Read more...HC Series hand controller
SCADA/HMI
The HC Series hand controller is a pre-qualified solution for demanding environments, and ensures safe and intuitive command where standard controls fail.
Read more...Becoming a leader in alarm annunciators Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
SCADA/HMI
The rise of the digital age and PC-based systems and graphical interfaces led many to view the traditional annunciator market as obsolete. Omniflex explains how the company saw the market differently to then established players like Highland and Rochester, and how it reshaped the industry.
Read more...Intuitive CNC HMIs with simulation functionality Beckhoff Automation
SCADA/HMI
The TwinCAT 3 automation software from Beckhoff offers two new function libraries for CNC-specific user interfaces. These were used to create an advanced, intuitive HMI application specifically for CNC purposes and to simulate part machining using real-time data.
Read more...HMIs for water treatment facilities DirectLogic Automation
SCADA/HMI
Having an efficient and well-managed wastewater treatment process is imperative for sustainable water management. However, there are some challenges. To address these, DirectLogic Automation supplies a range of Weintek HMI touch screens featuring state-of-the-art technology, flexibility, rugged construction and open connectivity.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version