April 2019

31 www.drivesncontrols.com April 2019 FOOD AND BEVERAGE n One of Sadler’s most popular brews is the company’s Peaky Blinder range. Shocks, vibrations and collisions a state-of-the-art production facility can’t always be avoided, even in Temperature fluctuations and . dust are also just some of the typical challenges. So it’s a good thing that Pilz light curtains can take some punishment. Because the new PSENopt II range has been developed to guarantee machine availability even under demanding conditions. Having started with finger and hand protection, the robust system is no less convincing when it comes to s first T body protection – as the world’ ype 3 light curtain for use up to the highest category (PL e). In conjunction with the Pilz configurable, safe small controllers PNOZmulti 2 you can be sure you have a safety solution that goes the distance. T T Pilz Automation echnology elephone: +44 (0) 1536 460766 Email: sales@pilz.co.uk allowed automation engineers from Mitsubishi Electric to determine the number of inputs, outputs, analogue signals, as well as the presence of critical electric motors (mainly pumps) where variable-speed control would be needed. “To make sure we addressed all the challenges and requirements relevant for the brewery team, we asked the head brewer to give us a wish list on how he would like the equipment to operate,” recalls Stephen Thornton, key account manager at Mitsubishi. “Based on this, we developed the current system.” The brewery’s various pumps, compressors and fans were fitted either with Mitsubishi FR-E700 compact VSDs or, where appropriate, its FR-F800 model that is designed to maximise energy saving on pump and fan control applications. Various sensors and analogue components were connected to the control network using Melsec ST Lite remote I/O nodes. The inverters and I/O devices were connected via a CC-Link fieldbus network, to a Mitsubishi Q series PLC housed in a robust metal enclosure and linked to a GOT2000 touchscreen HMI that displays live information and alarms. This allows the brewers to monitor their equipment, as well as adjusting the processes parameters live on the HMI. “We set the operator desk as the main focal area,”Thornton explains, “locating the PLC and HMI there to centralise the control system architecture and provide easy access for control, maintenance and upgrades.” The bespoke control system was designed for ease of use and to streamline the brewing operations. The benefits were immediate, with production rocketing by 300% in less than a month, resulting in 650 more barrels – roughly, 200,000 pints of beer – being produced every week. “I have been brewing without the support of an automated process control system for many years, so initially I was a little apprehensive if I’m honest,” admits Sadler’s production manager, Sam Pegg. “I was however, pleasantly surprised to learn how straightforward and easy the new solution was to use. The new control system has greatly improved my day-to-day activities from day one. Which means I can now focus on more interesting aspects – such as the development of new beers and recipes.” n

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