module to connect to our network,” Lagrant said. “For those that didn’t have a PLC, we figured out which data points to measure.” For instance, in the melt depart-


ment, Palmer Foundry wanted to keep track of bath temperature and the amount of current going into each of the three legs of its electric resistance heaters. Next, Lagrant selected the hard- ware to wire into the equipment and


commissioned the construction and installation of electric panels. Palmer Foundry also had to make some network upgrades and put network drops on the shop floor to accom- modate the project. “Te timing for this is great right


now because the industrial Ethernet networks are robust and the price has come way down on the hardware,” Lagrant said. “Tis would have been too cost prohibitive 10 years ago.”


In 2012, Palmer Foundry set up its


system for the collection of 500 data points. In just a couple of months, the metalcaster had already used up all the data points on equipment from the melt department, shakeout depart- ment, sand transportation system, thermal reclaimer and dehumidifier in the nobake facility. In 2013, the com- pany upped the ante with 10,000 data points to handle the rest of the needs of the nobake facility as well as Palmer


“Knowledge is


power, and this is knowledge packaged in


a form we can use.” —Bob Logan,


president,


With a background in mechanical engineering and product development, Bob Logan purchased Palmer Foundry with his business partner and brother Dave Logan in 2000.


Palmer Foundry February 2014 MODERN CASTING | 25


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