The equipment and functionality of these systems include conveyors, lifts, speed controls, weigh scales, RFID pallets, trafficking, product buffering, grinding equipment, recipe management, inline-inspection systems, robotic cells, safety zones, laser systems, microwave and industrial dryers, and part/product tracking systems. Products handled by these systems have included ceramic filters, 25/50 lb bags of dry mix ingredients, glass, and optical fiber.
Most of the municipalities that we work with have remote pump stations, tanks, or reservoirs that require automation of equipment from a centrally located operation’s building (which can be miles away from these remote locations). Radio, microwave, and cellular protocols keep our clients informed about what is happening at these remote sites from one control station. We have configured numerous wireless systems to communicate between master/slave PLC functional components, as well as implementing auto-dialers to call key staff personnel if an alarm condition is activated.
Typically, these remote sites are capturing pressure, temperature, level, flow rates, chemical system data, and pump motor VFD values. The remote-control capabilities consist of positioning valves, adjusting pump motor speeds, adjusting chemical dosing rates, refilling city/town water tanks, and lift station lead/lag operations.