It is the policy of OMNI Engineering Services Inc. not to disclose customer names and/or proprietary details of projects without the client's release to do so.

OMNI was asked to provide a custom hardware and software automated industrial solution for the blending and cooking of processed cheese food.
This installation has several locations, each of which has varied requirements for enclosures and panel-mount devices -- specifically wash down, corrosion resistance with some immunity to chemicals. Because of the arrangement of these remote locations, it is necessary to reduce the cost of interconnection wiring for communications between panels as well as make the system modular, easy to duplicate, and install other systems.
It was necessary to move, handle, and monitor large amounts of product through the system by way of one operator interface. From this interface, the production operator should have access to run the system in both automatic and manual modes. Cleanup operators should have a similar, less automated, interface for CIP functions. Maintenance personnel should have a password-protected interface for system diagnostics, and all operators should be able to view system wide errors/faults.
Our customer also required redundant chart recorder logs of batch cook temperatures, weight and flow measurements/calculations with remote indication, and finally to make the product available to a downstream process by controlling the level of a hopper.

Considering the remote locations and multiple discrete devices required, OMNI chose a DeviceNet network solution for all "remote" I/O, VFD's, Operator Interfaces, etc. The advantages to this solution are that it virtually eliminates the need for interconnection wiring, has one central PLC for control (leaving the DH+ communications port available for plant connectivity), is easily expandable, and provides device level troubleshooting information.

The project met and exceeded all customer expectations. The DeviceNet network was a particular success given it's flexibility as an open architecture and ability to handle multiple remote locations as the highest available industrial communication network speeds.

RSLogix 500
PanelBuilder32
RSLinx
AutoCAD LT 2000
RSNetWorx for DeviceNet
Microsoft Office

Larry Turner (920)583-3122