Kepware Solution Chronicles™

Kepware Solution Chronicles assist our customers in the process control and industrial automation industries where the use of Kepware products can enhance the resulting system architectures. To produce chronicles, inside technical sales and support personnel provide remote business analysis and evaluation services. These free remote consulting services in the field of computer hardware and software are also made available to system integrators requiring assistance with complex application requirements.

EVSystems "prescribes" OPC in recent Pharmaceutical Applications

EVSystems Data Solutions is a system integrator, allowing customers to connect SCADA and automation systems to their operation, business and information systems. Services include: Data Historian implementation and integration, SCADA Design and optimization, System architecture evaluations and consulting, Multi-platform integration, and Custom software and Relational Database design and development. EVSystems was recently contracted by GE Sensing to develop an I/O driver for a cryogenic tank monitoring application. The customer was installing 50 Cryogenic tanks; each would be monitored and controlled with TEC 2000 / 3000 controllers by MVE Bio-Medical, Chart Industries, Inc. The controllers support a robust ASCII protocol over RS-485. EVSystems would need to develop a driver that could support this ASCII protocol but easily integrate with the GE Labwatch™ system that would be monitoring the tanks. The application had several challenges: ... read more

Automotive Solution Provider "Validates" with OPC

Advanced Production Systems, Inc. (APS) is a solution provider based in Louisville, Kentucky. APS has been providing solutions to the manufacturing industry since 1986 and is now positioned to help manufacturers and their associated trading partners capitalize on emerging economic and technological trends in manufacturing. Typical APS solutions have an emphasis on, 1) optimizing and automating manufacturing operations and processes, and 2) enhancing front-line employee productivity through better information flow and communication systems. A few of the manufacturing strategies APS focuses on include: Lean Manufacturing, Real-time Data Collection, Error-Proofing, Traceability, Product Quality Tracking, OEE Analysis and Process/Machine Automation ... read more

Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. 'Pumped' over OPC for System Simulation & Training

Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (APSC) is the operator of one of the largest pipeline systems in the world. The Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) stretches 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's North Slope through rugged and beautiful terrain to Valdez the northernmost ice-free port in North America. Since TAPS startup in 1977 APSC has successfully transported over 15-billion barrels of oil through the pipeline. In a recent project to enhance the TAPS automation architecture and provide the capability to remotely operate the 800-mile system, APSC identified that the installation of new equipment ... read more

Automotive Manufacturer chooses OPC-based products for Secure Data Exchange

A leading automotive manufacturer desired to maximize supply chain efficiency in their newest automotive manufacturing facility in North America. With twenty-one of their key suppliers located in close proximity to the main plant, work-in-process buffers were very short. Real-time data exchange between the automation systems of suppliers and the manufacturer was essential so the solution would need to be highly reliable and would need to securely pass data through a firewall. The manufacturer worked with solution consultants from ACE Technologies, Inc. of Rochester Hills Michigan to identify the following design issues ... read more

Proton Energy leverages OPC to 'Plug In' to Error & Warning Data

Proton Energy Systems and Northern Power, both wholly owned subsidiaries of Distributed Energy Systems (Nasdaq: DESC) were designing and building a hydrogen fueling station to be installed in New York State. The system would generate hydrogen on site from electricity and water using Proton Energy Systems' H-Series electrolyzer (hydrogen generator). To track hydrogen production and energy consumption, Northern Power would use its own SmartView® Monitoring System, which has OPC-based connectivity. Gathering OPC-based data would be handled by Kepware's OPC Server, KEPServerEX. KEPServerEX with Modbus drivers would collect data from a set of power meters and the hydrogen generator, which has a proprietary ... read more

AMT Chooses a 'Cooler' Solution with OPC

Advanced Monitoring Technologies Inc. (AMT) provides cost effective control solutions with energy-saving control logic for refrigeration plants and ice arenas. They are on the cutting edge of energy-saving technology and were recognized by Canada's National Research Council in 2003 as a finalist for the Canadian Innovation Award for Sustainable Development. AMT's TechCold refrigeration system has two main purposes: - to cause a substantial reduction in energy consumption and demand. - to provide a standardized system that is common to all ... read more

CRG Logics, Inc. 'blends' well with OPC

CRG Logics, Inc an OEM supplying auxiliary blending and material handling equipment for the plastics industry specializes in integrated, PLC-based control of continuous loss in weight gravimetric blending systems. They have a line of Simplicity series vibratory feeder continuous gravimetric blenders but also provide PLC-based control retrofits of blenders produced by other manufacturers. Regardless of whether it is a new system or retrofit, CRG Logics, Inc. knew customers wanted reliable equipment that is simple to operate, yet accurate and affordable. To meet customer needs CRG engineers chose to incorporate standards-based products in their software system architecture. ... read more

EVermont's Hydrogen Fueling Station makes 'Efficient' use of OPC

EVermont is a nonprofit R&D organization working with engineering firms, energy companies and vehicle manufacturers to spearhead design, development and evaluation of new technologies and to integrate existing technologies into alternatively fueled vehicles. Proton Energy Systems and Northern Power, both wholly owned subsidiaries of Distributed Energy Systems (Nasdaq: DESC), were contracted by EVermont to build an advanced demonstration hydrogen fueling station in Burlington, VT. The project was partially funded through the U.S. Department of Energy's Hydrogen Program. ... read more

SCHMIDT Technology ServoPress and PRC4000 with Kepware OPC Server

SCHMIDT Technology Corp. a wholly owned subsidiary of SCHMIDT Technology - Germany, offers a comprehensive line of precision Manual, Air-Powered, and Hydro-Pneumatic presses for manufacturing industries in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With its most recent introduction of (5) five ServoPress Models, certain challenges were presented to the SCHMIDT Technology control engineering staff in how to communicate electronic data between control systems. The SCHMIDT Technology PRC4000 6-axis ServoPress controller is an "open source" logic and servo control unit that provides sequencing, calculating, process monitoring, SPC, and motion control, as well as a built-in HMI. ... read more

The 118 WallyPower - a fast pleasure Yacht 'Onboard' with OPC

Wally is a Monaco based shipbuilder known for some of the finest sailing and power vessels in the world. The 118 WallyPower is one of the fastest pleasure yachts over 100' in the world. With a normal cruising speed of over 60 knots (70 mph!) this boat challenges the concepts of traditional nautical travel. Three Vericor Power Systems TF-50 Gas Turbine Engines that are rated for 5,600 horsepower and weigh approximately 1,500 pounds, power the 118 Wallypower. With  a combined total of 16,800 horsepower she travels the sea with impressive speed, power, and comfort. ... read more