Lafarge South Africa, one of the country's largest ready-mix concrete companies, is to fully automate its concrete batch plants countrywide.
Some 40 plants are being updated and automated, the projects commenced in December 2001 and are to continue over a period of two years. The project is being handled by Base Control Systems of Johannesburg, which is also supplying the complex realtime resource scheduling system - vital to the delivery of a product such as ready mixed concrete - with its short shelf-life.
At present, all batching is done manually, after receiving an order from a central order-taking system, with the operator weighing ingredients by pushbutton, releasing from silos into weigh hoppers, and then into the mixing medium (usually the delivery truck). This method is open to errors on the part of the operator, who may over batch the quantity of product needed for a required quantity of ready-mix. The ingredients going into the mix include cement, aggregates (sand and gravel), water and admixtures such as accelerators (for faster setting).
Adroit Technologies was chosen as the scada supplier for the automatic batch control system developed by Base Control Systems, for its ease of operation and its realtime graphic representation. A Modicon PLC serves as the front end for each batch control system, and a computer driving two monitors acts as the operator interface.
"By automating the batching process, and by installing realtime resource scheduling systems", says Tim Victor of Base Controls, "Lafarge South Africa will enjoy a far more efficient readymix concrete production and delivery operation".
Operator panel simplifies control and boosts performance Siemens South Africa
SCADA/HMI
The Sinamics SDI Pro 14 cm operator panel is an innovative accessory for drive technology, providing efficient support for local engineering.
Read more...New HMI panel PC series Vepac Electronics
SCADA/HMI
Industrial computing giant, AAEON has released its OMNI-ADN series, a four-model collection of modular HMI panel PCs, with display sizes ranging from 26 to 55 cm.
Read more...HMI with maximum performance in the smallest of spaces ifm - South Africa
SCADA/HMI
Whenever clear communication, precision and performance in the smallest of spaces are required, the most compact member of ifm’s ecomatDisplay family is the perfect choice. The 11 cm HMI makes no compromises when it comes to human-machine interaction.
Read more...Scale your operations control as you need
SCADA/HMI
Modern industrial operations, from a single machine to enterprise-wide systems, demand software which adapts to the task at hand while boosting efficiency,
Read more...Maximum display performance in the smallest of spaces ifm - South Africa
SCADA/HMI
Whenever efficient communication, precision and performance in the smallest of spaces are required, the most compact member of the ecomatDisplay family is the perfect choice. This is a programmable, high-performance HMI display designed for mobile machines and installations.
Read more...The new programmable graphic display for all industries ifm - South Africa
SCADA/HMI
The new 11 cm ecomatDisplay from ifm features 16,7 million colours, a high-resolution display with optical bonding and a powerful processor, all packed into a compact, robust housing.
Read more...Display systems for mobile machines ifm - South Africa
SCADA/HMI
The new 11 cm ecomatDisplay from ifm features 16,7 million colours, a high-resolution display with optical bonding and a powerful processor, all packed into a compact, robust housing.
Read more...AAEON launches new panel PC series Vepac Electronics
SCADA/HMI
AAEON has released the OMNI-ADN series, a four-model collection of modular HMI panel PCs with display sizes ranging from 26 to 55 cm. The OMNI-ADN series is the first of AAEON’s HMI panel PC range powered by the Intel Processor N-series platform,
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