Brick Setting System
CSR PGH Bricks at Cecil Park in NSW has a system of machines which automatically gather bricks from a dryer and execute a series of over 100 operations to precisely stack them onto cars prior to them being driven into the Kiln. Due to the very nature of the product (vis bricks) and the ancient relay Control System running these machines operator intervention was constantly occurring in order to put right a foul-up.
The client's overbearing requirement for this job was to create a Control System which will execute the process steps sequentially in automatic mode - but if the operators stop the machine, then run the process in manual mode to overcome a problem, the system must continue in automatic mode from whichever state the system was left in.
We developed the PLC program in ladder logic but based on a programming method called 'State Machine' logic. In this way the PLC knows the state of every device comprising the system and so is able to effortlessly regain sequence after operator intervention at any stage of the process. Consequently, production has increased
greatly due to tighter control, less downtime and a much
more reliable Control System.
Testemonials
"We still use the electronic devices designed and built for our department (Industrial Metering) by Sapeca Pty Ltd over 15 years ago.
We continue to get support when needed from this small but professional company whenever we call them."
Boris Kobal - Energy Australia
