INSTALLING AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR FOOD PROCESSING LINES

Rieckermann upgrades control system for food processing line using Siemens Automation Technology

Rieckermann has successfully upgraded the control system of a nugget frying line with the installation of Siemens Automation Technology for a customer in Thailand. The automation was integrated into the control system cabinet that controls machine equipment, such as oil circulation valves, chain conveyor speed and the heater for the processing line.

The requirements of the end customer focused on field level signal exchange and operator convenience, both in relation to ease of operation and to the recording of production data. In their legacy system, there were many buttons, contactors and wires located inside the control cabinet. As it had no human to machine interface (HMI) or automatic control by programmable logic controller (PLC), the system could only be handled by an experienced operator.

Rieckermann helped to upgrade the system to make it more user-friendly and automated, using the SIMATIC S7 PLC and HMI technology by Siemens. The customer had installed three large cabinets in the operator room and one small operator panel close to the production line. The panel displays the process and graphics on a screen, providing an easy to handle system.

Rieckermann’s automation team performed the hardware design and the software programming for the system, whilst the control panels were fabricated and assembled under their supervision by a subcontractor in accordance with electrical diagrams. Rieckermann also carried out quality control and FAT of the panels, as well as installation, commissioning, and training. Their technical engineers are well-versed in the hardware and software and have the necessary expertise for understanding customer requirements. Their locally present technical service team in Thailand are able to service the machine on site and can easily supply replacement parts if required.

An additional function of the automated system is that the processing line can be controlled remotely from any location outside the factory. However, this was not a requirement for this particular project.

The first order for an upgrade was placed by the customer in 2017 and installed in the same year. The current enhancement of the factory, with follow-up orders for the same system, has just been successfully completed.