Product category:
Process Control hardware
News Release from: Galleon Systems | Subject: IP66 Computer terminals
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 September 2004
Industrial computer enclosure for food
manufacture
Protecting data processing equipment against dust, liquid ingress and mechanical damage for factory shop-floor applications, Galleon Systems has supplied IP66 systems to Northern Foods
Protecting data processing equipment against dust, liquid ingress and mechanical damage for factory shop-floor applications Galleon Systems has secured a prestigious contract to supply custom designed computer enclosures to Northern Foods, one of the UK's largest food manufacturers
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 7 Dec 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Ingress Protected rated (IP) enclosures have been specified to support the company-wide roll-out of an improved version of the company's SAP production computer system.
Sealed to IP66 the enclosures provide protection against environmental hazards including airborne debris, wash-down liquids and mechanical impact damage.
Planned for completion in October, the implementation covers multiple factory sites located throughout the UK.
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A key feature of the upgrade is to automate shop floor data acquisition and the introduction of a new batch identification labelling system.
Computer terminals have been deployed at key locations on the production lines.
The network uses thin client technology enabling more compact and flexible installations.
Each of the terminals has been equipped to suit specific functional requirements.
These range from wall-mounted terminals to full workstations comprising a free standing computer unit with built-in cable connections for bar code scanning; the printing of barcode labels and laser printers for batch identification labels.
As well as satisfying stringent requirements of food safety, the computer system allows greater visibility of the shop floor processes, allowing site managers to optimise quality and production throughput.
Each food item has to have a unique identity enabling full traceability of ingredients, origin and all the techniques used in the production processes before it reaches consumers.
Working in conjunction with the company's SAP Support team, Galleon Systems created a range of customised stainless steel enclosures each housing a compact 'book-shelf' processor and flat screen.
Also incorporated are membrane keyboards with sealed mouse controls and USB connections for hand-held scanning devices.
Separate enclosures have also been provided for barcode label printers and standard laser printers.
Access to the printers is provided through shutters which can be locked down during cleaning operations.
The key benefit of using IP rated enclosures is that they allow commercial standard, off-the-shelf computer equipment to be used within the shop floor environment.
Typical conditions within the Northern Foods plants range from flour dust to high risk level food processing areas which are routinely washed down by chemical cleansing agents.
Although Northern Foods had used industrial enclosures previously, these have been located in more benign warehouse environments.
According to SAP Support engineer, Nigel Harrison, these existing enclosures were not compatible with the new printers being specified.
"Northern Foods also needed a completely new design in order to fully exploit the benefits of using thin client processors on the shop floor, he explains.
"Galleon Systems responded to our initial requirement by providing a working prototype for each style of enclosure.
We used these to get feedback from the users.
Galleon then made some refinements and as a result we achieved a very successful implementation, right first time on the shop floor".
"Time taken from our initial enquiry, to the delivery of the first production standard units was around three months, which was pretty good performance by any standards," adds Nigel Harrison.
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