Shorrock Automation and Ram-Tec Systems join forces
September 2003
News
Shorrock Automation has joined forces with Ram-Tec Systems, an industrial turnkey electrical instrumentation and control systems supplier. The partnership, which originated over a year and a half ago, was confirmed when both parties recently signed the official contract. The agreement allows Ram-Tec to install Shorrock's Efector range of AS-i bus networks and related products in various projects that both companies have acquired throughout South Africa.
Recent applications include the installation of three Efector AS-i bus networks at a local seed and grain plant. These were installed in the main PLC to cater for different areas in the plant as well as numerous devices supported by the AS-i bus topology. Each network has a combination of four channel AS-i input modules and AS-i solenoid air boxes for slide valves. The AS-i solenoid air box is a particularly useful module incorporating two pneumatic outputs for opening and closing the valve and two inputs for limit switch feedback on the actual valve position. The IP65 devices were mounted directly at the valve allowing the air connection to be installed locally.
A well-known supplier of enzymes and related products required his plant to be highly automated with a streamlined process facility to improve productivity and efficiency. The Efector AS-i bus network worked in conjunction with a PLC to communicate with solenoid field boxes as well as analog instrumentation. These IP67 rated devices were mounted directly in the field with no enclosure required for added protection.
A local supplier of fruit juices and soya blends required his factory be designed for phase expansion to eventually accommodate five filling lines. A distributed control system was implemented with an Efector AS-i bus network to allow control of intelligent field devices. Solenoid valves were connected via DeviceNet, as well as all field I/Os using remote I/O drops.
The bus networks in all applications simplified software development in all the main PLC systems, significantly reducing cable installation costs, while the SCADA systems provided operators with an easy interface to monitor and control plant operation. Both companies are currently involved in various projects with numerous others planned for the coming months.
For more information contact Andrew Kerr, Shorrock Automation, 012 345 4449, [email protected], www.shorrock.co.za
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