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Winery Begins Digital Transformation with Automated Brix Monitoring & IFM Integration

A leading California winery was facing manual sampling inefficiencies. E Tech Group implemented an IFM Integration project, achieving fully-automated in-tank brix monitoring with our IO link platform expertise.

The Project: Transition Manual Brix Monitoring to an Automated System

A California winery faced operational inefficiencies with manual wine sampling and turned to E Tech Group for an IFM integration project. The goal was a seamless transition to fully automated brix monitoring. Our proposed solution involved IO Link Masters for Modbus TCP data retrieval and two durable NEMA 4x stainless steel enclosures. The client chose to contract E Tech Group as their integration partner because of our proven expertise in IO Link Platform, and our proven track record of providing reliable process automation solutions.

The Solution: Leverage Expertise & Cooperation for a Custom Automation Solution

The project team partnered with IFM and a research university to verify the precision of a new pressure transmitter for accurate brix measurements. Our team worked with the winery’s maintenance team to secure space for control panels, and collaborated with Tanknet for the system integration. An IO Link Master was set up for communication through Modbus, leading to successful implementation of the automated brix monitoring system.

The Results: Process Automation Optimizes the Sampling Process

We successfully acquired brix measurements within the tanks and integrated Modbus IO Link Masters into the control system, meeting the client’s goals for automated brix monitoring. Our automation team’s expertise and collaboration resulted in a positive outcome, moving this leading winery forward into their digital transformation.

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| January 15, 2024

The Power of PI in Power Plants

The power industry is facing several challenges, including the need to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and meet elevated environmental regulations. With the available workforce decreasing and facilities looking toward digital transformation, investing in a platform capable of facilitating these requirements is almost a necessity. As these systems continue to become more and more technical, the need for a real-time data management software platform that can help power plants address these challenges is increasing exponentially. That’s where the AVEVA PI (formerly OSI PI) Historian can come into play. Capable of providing a central repository for plant data, enabling operators to monitor and analyze plant performance in real-time, AVEVA PI is able to positively influence critical decisions that may need to be made on the fly. This information can be used to identify and resolve operational issues, increase efficiency, and optimize plant operations. Benefits of AVEVA PI AVEVA PI’s advanced capabilities are a result of its origins. AVEVA acquired OSIsoft’s PI system when they acquired the company in 2021. They then combined OSI’s strengths: real-time data acquisition and analysis, with AVEVA’s strengths: engineering and operational software applications, to create an automation platform with improved visibility, decision-making, performance, and security. 3 big benefits this particularly dexterous PI historian has to offer: Increased Efficiency  With it becoming more difficult than ever to staff positions in this industry, and the power plant workforce projected to decline by 10% over the next ten years, increasing and improving efficiency is key in ensuring projected output. AVEVA PI Historian can help power plants improve efficiency by providing centralized, real-time insights into plant performance. This information can be used to identify and resolve operational issues, improve process control, and optimize asset utilization. Reduced Costs  You don’t know what you don’t know. At a glance, you may think everything is performing optimally, but there … Continued

Maximizing a Distribution Center’s Capacity with Custom PLC Software

A global parcel services provider needed a custom PLC program for their sortation systems. E Tech Group provided PLC program development, troubleshooting and system start-up to meet a tight timeline and improve productivity.

The Project: Improve Efficiency with Material Handling Automation

E-commerce growth and expedited shipping demands have posed challenges for distribution centers. To keep up, many centers are implementing automation solutions to maximize throughput and reduce fault recovery time.

A global parcel services leader outsourced PLC program development for their sortation systems, but faced a tight timeline. E Tech Group was hired to quickly develop and troubleshoot the programs, as well as lead system startup and testing.

The Solution: Create a Custom PLC Sorting Solution

The parcel operations required extensive fault monitoring and suppression, as well as package flow rate tracking, to maximize throughput and reduce system downtime. E Tech Group prioritized the commission of the primary sorter systems, including diagnosing and correcting errors and setting up communication between the PLC and the customer’s warehouse management system. They also set up numerous conveyor belts that were required to run with the package tracking logic.

The Results: Maximized Operations on a Quick Turnaround

E Tech Group completed changes to the primary sorter systems and stayed on board to support testing and commissioning of the remaining parts of the primary sorter line. With our programming support, the system became fully operational within a few months. This helped the parcel services leader to maximize its large-scale distribution center operations. As a result, E Tech Group was later invited to lead the development, startup and testing of the second phase that included an additional five sortation systems.

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Supporting a Water Well Expansion with PLC/HMI Upgrades

A growing environmental client was facing efficiency, accessibility and scalability issues with their legacy PLCs and HMIs. E Tech Group successfully advised and implemented an advanced control system to apply across all their sites.

The Project: Transform Dated System Liabilities into Modern Automation Assets

An environmental management company was facing challenges due to their outdated automation systems, which was negatively affecting productivity and efficiency. They operated 11 water well sites across five miles, and their legacy PLCs and HMIs lagged in communication, usability and efficiency. Additionally, maintenance costs on their aging systems were quickly piling up.

Facing the addition of another water well to their system, they contacted E Tech Group to design and deploy a modern solution, which included upgrading their controls and installing an additional water well to expand their operations.

The Solution: Mitigate Risks Through Modernization

E Tech Group helped the client modernize their hardware, including PLCs, HMIs and radio controls. They partnered with Applied Technology Group to implement a modern Ethernet communications protocol in two phases.

E Tech Group’s automation team upgraded 13 legacy SLC controllers and Panel Views for newer CompactLogix controllers and Panel View 7 Plus terminals. They also integrated Inductive Automation’s Ignition Perspective SCADA system to provide an operation and management overview.

The team upgraded the customer’s networking communications and decommissioned the legacy PLC to run the water wells exclusively on the upgraded system. The team also resolved challenges with the client’s remote water wells by implementing a store-and-forward capability. Finally, they installed and commissioned the new water well.

The Results: Immediate Improvements with Future Potential

E Tech Group and Applied Technology Group helped this environmental management company upgrade their hardware and implement a modern Ethernet communication protocol in two phases. They upgraded legacy controllers and panel views, integrated Ignition Perspective SCADA system, upgraded networking communications and resolved challenges with remote water wells. They also installed and commissioned a new water well. These solutions allowed our client to avoid challenges and threats posed by the previous outdated system and effectively meet their growing demands.

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