The Project:

A food and beverage manufacturing client required a dedicated packing line for their sterilizers that were added in 2019. 

They had previously been using their existing packaging lines which, due to the physical layout, were inefficient and placed continuous strain on scheduling for other production lines. 

E Tech Group’s familiarity with the client’s facility, vast skillset and expertise in the design and implementation of these types of solutions made it an easy decision for the client to contract our team.

The Challenge:

Before developing the required solution, the onsite team first had to address the challenge of determining the hardware/panel layouts, as well as a networking plan for what it would take to integrate the new system before further assessment and design could take place.

Because budgetary restrictions played a role in this project, the client’s plan was to repurpose old packaging equipment from one of their other plants and tie it all together with a new conveyor system.

This involved integrating the existing equipment, which included older PLCs, with a new line control PLC and remote racks.

The most difficult part in implementing the project was commissioning the recycled equipment. E Tech Group determined that due to its age and previous use, several parts were reaching end of life both mechanically and electrically, requiring the installation of replacement parts before the equipment would function as it should. The advanced troubleshooting to find these aging assets took the most amount of time. However, during this time the team was able to further investigate the client’s operation, allowing them to provide the most comprehensive solution for the client.

The Solution:

Once all equipment concerns were addressed, updated, and operational, the new line control system could be installed and commissioned.

This system utilized a new Allen Bradley L8x series ControlLogix PLC along with recycled Allen Bradley SLC and PLC5 plcs on the repurposed OEM equipment.

As originally planned, the main networking system was ethernet/IP. However, the team did have to install a DH+ network to integrate some of the older PLCs into the new system.

The main visualization software was the Wonderware System Platform, and the individual equipment used various forms of Allen Bradley Panelviews.

The Result:

From start to finish, the project took just a few months to complete, and stayed within the client’s defined time parameters, minimizing production disruption. When our team was through, the client had a dedicated packing line for their sterilizers and were no longer dependent on inefficient equipment that would interfere with the scheduling and operation of other lines. 

E Tech Group also provided an extended period of 24-hour startup support once the lines were running product, making sure everything stayed operational and maintained optimal functionality and performance.