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.
This would improve performance,
allow for integration with
other systems, and provide
reliable access for future
expansion. CRG engineers identified
the technical needs below for
their search.
Application needs:
•
For quality assurance and verification
of blend percents, customers
need to log data and then turn
that data into useful information
using trending tools.
Connectivity needs
•
For new feeder and blender
systems produced by CRG Logics,
Inc. they typically use Allen
Bradley ControlLogix or CompactLogix
PLCs.
•
In retrofit applications, connectivity
to non-Allen Bradley controllers
is usually required.
•
Often times a PLC-based blending
system needs to be integrated
with custom OEM applications
(developed in C++ for example)
which are performing line control.
CRG wanted to incorporate
the interoperability benefits
of OPC and they chose products
by Canary Labs to meet their
trending and data logging needs.
After reviewing their options,
CRG engineers chose Kepware's
OPC server to handle their
connectivity needs. The single
server and driver-plugin design
of KEPServerEX would provide
consistent access to PLC data
regardless of the type of PLC
in the feeder/blender system.
KEPServerEX would also serve
data to off-the-shelf OPC client
products like those produced
by Canary Labs as well as custom
applications developed in a
range of programming languages.
CRG Logics, Inc. bundled the
Kepware Technologies and Canary
Labs packages together to provide
a user-friendly but robust
trending and data logging package
for their customers.
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