AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM IN DRY MORTAR PLANTS:
The automatic control of a dry mortar plant is supported by one or more PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) connected to one or several computers (also called PCs).
From the beginning in SOTECMA, these state-of-the-art programmable PLC have been used, in order to apply the latest technologies and the best manufacturers to automated production control.
Automated control also goes through the so-called ‘Machine man dialogue’. That ‘dialogue’ translates into visual information on industrial or PC´s screens. The information is reflected in animated synoptics, incident messages, informational data, etc. These devices allow the handling of any point of the installation and introduction of parameters in a simple and intuitive way.
The PLC used in our systems is solid, powerful and compact. Its advanced level of programming in the handling of instructions, very fast and simple, makes it ideal for the reliable control of all the processes that are developed in the dry mortar manufacturing plant:
- Loading and monitoring of pressures and levels in silos and hoppers.
- Controlled auger start-up, according to the type of recipe requested, with the flexibility to select the desired silo that carries the same product.
- Very precise use of scales using hoppers or weighing tapes, as well as a special weighing system for very light products.
- Pneumatic transport of these products.
- Supervised starter of mixer according to built-in safety.
- Storage and internal management of recipes, visible and modifiable from PC, with or without Password.
- Internal production storage of several days making it possible to register or read directly to a PC at any time in an Excel sheet.
- Alarm management for PC visualization, in animated form of symbols and as dated and stored texts.
The PLC’s communication with the PC and other elements is based on Ethernet TCP / IP. The established network facilitates the possibility of remote connection to the PLC and the PC from another place via the internet. In those places where there is no ADSL internet access (copper, fiber optic) but if they have a GSM / GPRS telephone coverage, an industrial modem is available that allows this remote access.
Reliably exceeds the standards related to shocks, vibrations, temperature, altitude and resistance to electrical disturbances.
In short, at SOTECMA we take care to make the installation’s management and supervision easy, intuitive, without underestimating the quality and reliability of the technology used.
