Page 8 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 26th April 2021

Mitsubishi Electric and Control Freaks completed
the migration in a short timeframe and in stages,
minimising equipment downtime.
All the old PLCs were replaced with new
Mitsubishi Electric Q series controllers. These were
equipped with Mitsubishi Electric’s QnUDV central
processor unit to offer integrated Ethernet-based
network communications. In this way, the PLCs
could be easily connected to inverters and other
pieces of equipment.
In addition, the two automation specialists
replaced the existing third party stand-alone I/O
components using the CC-Link IE Field Basic
new control system. Therefore, the automation and network system which is integrated within the new
system integration specialists had to conduct PLC modules. This would allow Bakkavor Pizza to
extensive reverse engineering to figure out what save panel space that could be used to host the new
functions were controlled by the microcomputer, system’s inverters and servos in the near future,
how they played a role in governing the process and optimising the plant’s overall equipment footprint.
re-write this code in the new infrastructure. David Paul Judge, Compact PLC & Visualisation
Hamilton explains: “Not only were there no Product Manager at Mitsubishi Electric, comments:
diagrams to help engineers understand what the “Our main goal was providing a solution that solved
code was controlling but no member of the staff the immediate issues and met the main objectives
could help, as the engineers who worked on the for the project. This new, more reliable automation
initial setup were all retired.” ‘backbone’ also provides Bakkavor Pizza with the
Clint Johnson adds: “The absence of any right migration path for future developments.
documentation on the existing code within the Partnering with skilled system integration
control system made the reverse engineering specialists, such as Control Freaks is vital to support
operations particularly challenging. Mitsubishi our customers with implementing ideal, more
Electric’s specialised teams provided extensive futureproofed solutions.”
support, conducting crucial investigations. Their Once the new automation solution had been
help was key to the successful completion of the installed, the food manufacturer noticed substantial
project. This level of assistance provided is one of increases in the uptime, speed and responsiveness
the many reasons why we are proud Mitsubishi of the bakery line, as well as higher product quality
Electric partners.” and consistency. David Hamilton concludes: “The
benefits of this new, automated control system were
Flavoursome automation immediately noticeable. Not only did it manage to
Once the challenges associated with the address the challenges we were facing but it
microprocessor’s code were solved, Mitsubishi exceeded our expectations. This is why we fully
Electric and Control Freaks promptly started the intend to rely on Mitsubishi Electric and Control
system migration. For Bakkavor Pizza to gain the Freaks for future upgrades.”
greatest advantage from the new control system, gb3a.mitsubishielectric.com

April 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p8