Overview
General Motors deployed PlantWatch to manage a 3D LaserVision snap ring inspection station. The system integrates with both Allen Bradley and Siemens PLCs via OPC, and controls a Cognex vision camera for automated part verification. The entire application was configured in under 4 hours.
PlantWatch Functions Used
- OPC connectivity to Allen Bradley and Siemens PLCs
- Cognex camera integration via Ethernet IP
- Graphics for real-time inspection result display
- Logic Wizard for pass/fail determination and line stop control
- Database Browser for inspection history and trend analysis
Results
The rapid 4-hour configuration demonstrated PlantWatch’s ease of deployment. The station now automatically inspects snap ring seating depth using 3D laser profiling, rejecting out-of-spec parts before they proceed down the line. Inspection data is stored in SQL Server for SPC reporting and long-term traceability.