Processes automated, energy saved

An innovative multifunction controller (MFC) easily takes over the automation of applications for which a programmable logic controller (PLC) is oversized: Hesch Industrie-Elektronik GmbH, specializing in solutions for industrial automation, makes a cost-intensive PLC superfluous in many cases with the easy-to-use controller. An example from the food industry demonstrates how companies can use it to achieve more efficient and energy-saving processes.

With automation, production processes become more efficient. For example, energy costs can be reduced by controlled heating processes of production plants. Hesch has developed the multifunction controller (HE 5697 MFC) for automated process control, including the control of other secondary processes. It is easy to use, can be set up without in-depth programming knowledge, and allows the user interface to be customized. Its outstanding advantage: in many cases, the controller makes investment in a cost-intensive PLC unnecessary.

Automation with MFC - a win in every respect

Decisive improvements in production through the use of the MFC were achieved, among others, by a company in the food industry. To automate a roller drying plant for the production of the additive casein - a milk protein that is indispensable for the manufacture of a wide variety of products - the manufacturer was looking for an easy-to-operate control system. With the MFC from Hesch, a single controller now handles sequence control as well as the regulation of other secondary processes: It monitors the surface temperature of the roll as well as strength of the steam pressure - a process previously controlled manually. In addition, the MFC controls the pump for product conveying in conjunction with level measurement.

The casein manufacturer benefits from the automated processes in several ways. The process as a whole becomes more efficient and energy-saving. For example, heating the rollers to operating temperature now takes only 3.5 hours instead of 8 to 12 hours. This saves the food additives manufacturer a considerable amount of energy. Precise control of the parameters also ensures consistent product quality. In addition, the yield has increased significantly, as product scorching is prevented by the precise temperature control. At the same time, this reduces wear on the knives and thus lowers the maintenance costs of the plant. The manufacturer is also creating new capacity: Employees who were used for manual process control can now take over other activities.

"In many cases, a cost-intensive programmable logic controller (PLC) for automating simple applications offers many functions that are superfluous. In addition, their use usually requires in-depth programming knowledge. In these cases, our MFC offers a cost-effective solution that can be used to make significant savings in times of high energy costs, among other things," explains Werner Brandis, Managing Director at Hesch.