A major manufacturer of plastic packaging products sought to modernize its inventory management system for raw plastic pellet storage silos. The existing level measurement technology proved intermittently unreliable, particularly during the critical filling process. This lack of reliability introduced the risk of overfilling, leading to potential material loss, safety concerns, and operational inefficiencies.
The customer required a simple, dependable, repeatable, real-time solution that could seamlessly integrate with their existing Rockwell PLC infrastructure, provide advanced digital data, standardized diagnostics and enable secure remote support over the company’s network.
To meet these needs, a non-contact radar level measurement solution utilizing Ethernet-APL with Ethernet/IP protocol was implemented. This approach allowed for direct digital communication with the Rockwell PLC via an Ethernet-APL Field Switch simplifying installation while ensuring high-quality, real-time digital data transmission.
EtherNet/IP provides the tools to deploy standard Ethernet technology for manufacturing and process applications, improve connectivity between people, partners, processes, devices, and systems. This flexibility opens new opportunities for productivity and efficiency in industrial systems.
In this case study, we will examine the application in detail and demonstrate how Ethernet-APL using Ethernet/IP directly to the Rockwell PLC met the customer’s requirements for a safer level solution with simple installation, reliable performance, advanced data driven operational tools and enhanced secure remote support diagnostics capabilities.
This is a case study of the customer journey to install Ethernet APL sensors with EtherNET/IP protocol.
