Hormel

OMNI was asked to provide a custom hardware and software automated industrial solution for a pepperoni batching system.
This system requires multiple panel locations in a corrosive environment to service forklift drivers and various process operators, monitors. It is the customer's request to use push-button style operator interfaces for all remote control panels and hardwire these I/O points back to one central control panel with a PLC and graphical operator interface.
The process includes controlling multiple product/ingredient bins, four mixing/conveying augers, one conveyor belt with metal detector, a large capacity mixer, and two grinders. Batches are to be controlled by weight, monitored as they move through the process, and recorded for future information.
Multiple batches can be edited and sotred by the operator at the central control panel or from a remote PC located in a booth upstairs overlooking the process. Batch results are also displayed in both these places. Also, from the central control panel, an operator may enter multiple modes of operation including automatic batching, manual batching, system cleanout, and system cleanup.

Since the customer specified remote putsh-button control enclosures, OMNI suggested one central PLC with numerous local I/O modules and a Remote I/O scanner to interface with two Mettler-Toeldo scale indicators (four scale systems total). An ARCnet network connects the two indicators for programming and display of remote scales.
A PanelView with multiple screens for operator interaction will accompany the PLC in the central control panel. A customer Visual Basic application written for Microsoft Excel will display a template for entering/reporting batch information on a remote PC.

The system provides a fully automated method of control and data acquisition during the manufacturing process. The customer can produce larger batch sizes more frequently and increase throughput of the facility.

Allen Bradley SLC-5/04
Allen Bradley Panel View 1000
Allen Bradley 1784-KTx
Allen Bradley RIO
Mettler-Toledo Jaguar Scale
RSLogix 500
RSLinx
PanelBuilder32
AutoCAD LT 2000
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Visual Basic
Microsoft Excel

Harry Willmott (507)437-5798