APPLIED TECHNOLOGY PLCS & HMIS TRACEABILITY SOLUTIONS TO BENEFIT THE FOOD PRODUCTION INDUSTRY


During the recent meat scandal, undeclared meats including horse and highly processed pork were being found in new products on a daily basis. But, with the food chain growing longer, the potential for contaminants getting into products increases. So, how can food producers reinforce their traceability measures and rebuild public trust? This is not only for the raw ingredients as they enter the food manufacturing process, but at every stage of the production environment – from storage to mixing of ingredients, cooking to packaging, and from labelling to distribution. As there are many areas of food production where ensuring traceability is


still a manual process, a greater emphasis on automation would not only make the supply chain more transparent but it could also free up staff while helping to boost productivity and reduce energy usage. Today, regulatory compliance demands effective track and trace


programmes. Food companies must be able to demonstrate with appropriate documentation that their processes were not at fault in the event that a problem is detected – that includes everything from the discovery of traces of horse DNA to a bacterial breakout – and, if required, manage a product recall. A key focus of Mitsubishi’s automation


architecture concept is managing a seamless flow of data, which is critical when it comes to ensuring traceability throughout the food supply chain. The basic building blocks of these advanced automation platforms are PLCs and HMIs, with recent solutions from Mitsubishi placing a further emphasis on data logging. Enhanced data logging capabilities on products such as PLCs and GOT series HMIs enable data to be logged from a range of connected devices – including sensors, actuators, servos, inverters and temperature controllers – ensuring complete traceability of production for safe and secure operation. The modular PLC range makes the implementation of effective data


logging simple by integrating a full featured data logger. This helps to ensure production traceability, with the facility to store this data to SD memory card, the company explains. The built-in data logger supports asynchronous scan-independent


sampling as fast as 1ms. Separating its operation from the cyclic scan of the PLC provides far greater flexibility and sample frequency. Configuration of the data logger is made with parameterisation rather than programming, saving setup time. This also allows the reports to be quickly reconfigured to capture the data that is needed. The logged files are stored in a


Microsoft excel compatible format which allows easy analysis. Analysis of the logged data is also available in the configuration tool. The data logger supports timed logging as well as trigger logging


with a pre-and-post trigger buffer,meaning that at a triggered event (an alarm, for example), a number of samples can be taken before and after the trigger. This is very important for diagnosing the events that led to the trigger event which speeds up the diagnostic process and minimises downtime. An auto-logging function allows a ‘setting file’ to be emailed to the end user anywhere in the world. This can then be copied to an SD card, and when this is inserted into a running PLC the data will be logged automatically to csv format. Data logging capabilities also extend to the GOT series of HMIs, which


feature built-in RAM to store up to 2,000 data points. Logged data can be viewed either in an historical trend graph or in an historical data display list. In addition, the GOT series provides options for USB ports and a CF/SD card slot, enabling data to be easily archived to, or transferred via, USB memory sticks or CF/SD cards. The PLCs and GOT series HMIs can


also transmit data from connected devices to a higher level SQL database server located on a PC via the optional MES interface. The MES interface function provides direct communication between the PLC or HMI and the SQL database, removing the need for an


intermediate layer of PC hardware. There is full tracking of logged data and system changes with features


such as user login, automatic logout after a set period of user inactivity and procedures to ensure that all users are authorised. The automation platform ensures any changes are authorised and records will only be accepted if accompanied by the proper user password. The data logging capabilities of both GOT series HMIs and PLCs allow


different levels of security controlled access to be established, from operators to administrators. Time stamped audit trails are maintained to record the date and time of operator entries and actions that create, modify or delete electronic records. With the costs of food production continuing to move, and if the


supply continues to expand to enable ingredients to be sourced from more and more diverse and remote locations, then this ability to ensure traceability will become increasingly critical.


Mitsubishi Electric www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk Enter 200


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