Packaging machine builder saves cost with combined PLC/HMI

A&B Packaging Equipment of Lawrence, MI, USA specialises in packing and cleaning equipment for fresh fruit and vegetables worldwide. The company had been using custom, pre-programmed PLC boards to control its equipment but this had quickly become out of date. Upgrading and re-programming costs would have exceeded $85,000 on top of additional costs per-board. Ultimately, A&B Packaging was unable to change the program without external support, which forced the company to add an outside HMI.

Unitronics' V570 and V350 combined PLC/HMI units were brought in to give A&B Packaging more flexibility to react to their customers' unique needs. Allen Roggow, Field Tech Supervisor for A&B Packaging, states: "Our biggest advantage with the Unitronics PLC is the lower overall cost. These units also gave us the ability to customise software and gave us the benefit of having one database to put together the HMI screens."

Most of the units A&B Packaging is using are the V570 (Vision570, 5.7inch) models due to the size of the screens and the restrictions on the panel size. The V350 (Vision350, 3.5inch) models are being employed on smaller machinery. Both types feature user-friendly colour touchscreen displays (the illustration shows the two models in the classic and newer flat styles).

Roggow adds: "As with any new software, there is a learning curve that has to be dealt with. Once it became clear how to use the software, it became easier and easier to use. "The training seminars that Unitronics put on were also a great help, as was our local distributor, J.P. Motors & Drives."

Follow the links for more information about Unitronics V350 and V570 combined PLC/HIM units.