The Project: Improve Efficiency with a Manual Process Automation Solution

A supplier of Latin food products was challenged to increase the efficiency of their canned goods sterilization process. Their goal was to move away from a manual sterilization process and move into the future with automation. The food products supplier engaged E Tech Group to improve the efficiency, accuracy and the flexibility of their operations given our in-depth experience in providing custom automation solutions for manual processes across the food and beverage industry.

The Solution: Develop an Intuitive Control System with Improved Functionality

The first step was developing a solid system design. E Tech Group’s project team built the controls scheme from the ground up with considerations specific to the client’s processing needs and sterilization standards. These considerations included hardware reliability, accurate instrumentation and logical program flow.

The automated process design leveraged the client’s existing controls and integrated new technologies, which included: 

• Allen Bradley CompactLogix Controller
• Flex IO Remote Rack
• PanelView HMI
• ABB Drives

The upgraded control system also included a safety monitoring relay and instrumentation for high-temperature environments. The detailed control system design allowed for a smooth installation and commissioning of the project.

The Results: Exactly What the Client Ordered, & More

E Tech Group staffed the project with subject matter experts in instrumentation, Ethernet-enabled devices, temperature control, safety equipment, and electrical design to support a successful execution. The project team designed, developed, tested, and commissioned the project in about six weeks and helped the client reach their goal of increased efficiency.

The automated sterilization process helped increase the client’s production rates in comparison to the previously manual process, and provided enhanced data reporting to make informed production decisions. With the automated sterilization process in place, the client is now able to improve the productivity, accuracy, and flexibility of their operations.