Solutions

Rod Tracking

Caterpillar needed to retrofit a robotically loaded connecting rod station. Control of a slide, a dot peen marker, vision inspection for OCR of the cast heat code, quality analysis of the dot peen code, and data logging for traceability was required.

Defense

Norbert Industries is tracking internal engine components for Pratt Whitney jet engines. Data Matrix marks are created using a Dot Peen marker and read by a hand held imager. The data is compiled in SQL for reporting.

Snap Ring Inspection

GM asked HTEinc. to install one of its 3D LaserVision snap ring inspection stations to improve detection of improper seating in the cylinder groove. Upon installation GM asked HTEinc to control the system, talk to an Allen Bradley  PLC via OPC as well as communicate to the existing Cognex application. Plantwatch was installed and configured to control the system  and communicate in less than 4 hours.

Heat-Treating Traceability

HTT needed to marry the lot code of heat treated steering shafts to the furnace process parameters and serial numbers of each shaft laser etched in a data matrix. The ability of Plantwatch to look up furnace data per serial number gives HTT the reverse genealogy data their end customer is asking for. 

 X-Ray Process

System integrator needed to communicate , control and visualize an X Ray process . Shortly after the initial Plantwatch installation the end customer asked for communication to a proprietary mid level system bidirectionaly. Plantwatch quickly and easily  connected to the system adhering to its rules in a standard format. 

E Coat Baths

Crown Group needed to get automated control of e-coat baths based on which part type was to be coated. Plantwatch quickly recognized the  part type from a rack mounted data matrix and adjusted the rectifier as well as logged process parameters and allowed visualization of the process through the graphics screens created in Plantwatch.

Automotive

Autocon, an automation supplier needed to quickly provide traceability to a line it was building for ZF Lemforder. Using Plantwatch the line was delivered with required traceability on time.

Manufacturing

Cummins Jamestown Engine plant has purchased 9 copies of Plantwatch over the last 2 years. Plantwatch is used to provide traceability of serialized fuel injectors and their attributes as they are installed in the head. When the head is mated to the block the injector flow data is used to program the ECM module. Both automated and manual applications are in use with Graphics on both.