CLIENT: Medical Device Company

Overview

One of our clients, a leading medical device manufacturer engaged our service to design the integration of tubing handling system with existing downstream manufacturing process equipment. The tube handling equipment was control by miniature Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) with four axis of motion (Stepper Motors). The downstream process was control by Allen Bradley Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) with fully integrated Human Machine Interface (HMI).

Solution

After the initial project appraisal and review equipment interoperability with existing equipment. Our solution consisted of fully integrating the equipment using EtherNet/IP remote I/O modules. Initial phase of the project was to source the remote I/O hardware to allow seamless integration of the equipment. Once the hardware components were identified, a detailed electrical design was review and approved by the client prior to retrofitting the equipment. A detailed design and development of stepper motor control software module, allowed for the seamless integration of the software into the existing control system strategy. Throughout all the stages, we worked closely with our client and used their invaluable equipment and process knowledge – the outcome was a combined effort that allowed our client to have an improved ownership and understanding of the integrated solution.

Outcome

The integrated solution enabled:

1. Reduce software ownership (One program)
2. Increase operator productivity
3. Full automate / manual control