Batching Best PracticesINTRODUCTIONThis intent of this paper is to present a few Best Practices I have discovered over the years that lead to an improved performance of ingredient automation (batching) systems.LOAD CELL INSTALLATIONSite Preparation All mounting surfaces for the base and loading plate must be level. The distance between the mounting surface of the loading plate and base must within 1/32” of the nominal height (for proper elevation of vessel). The Load Cell Assemblies in a system must be level to within +/- 0.5 degrees. When mounting the base plate on concrete, use grout to secure the plate after leveling. A classic 4 bolt system with anchor bolts embedded in the concrete foundation with nuts above and below the sole plate are used for leveling both within the sole plate and between sole plates. Any welding should be done prior to installation of the load cells. Proper drainage should be provided to prevent the load point assembly from standing in water.InstallationAll load cells must be on the same plane (level) within 0.5 degrees of each other (which is approximately an inch over 10 feet). 4-cell systemA …
Buying Decisions for ISA-88 Batching Solutions
Buying Decisions for ISA-88 Batching SolutionsDEFINITIONS PAC: Programmable Automation ControllerPhase: The lowest level of procedural element in the procedural control model. It provides an interface to basic control.Physical Model: A representation within the ISA-88 product of the physical assets that comprise the batching system.Procedural Model: A representation within the ISA-88 product that describes a set of activities to beperformed by the Physical model to produce a product or type of product.Unit: A collection of associated control modules and/or equipment modules that can carry out one or more major processing activities. INTRODUCTION This paper intends to address the decision making around formal ISA-88 batching products such as Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk® Batch. Going forward we will simply use “products” as the expression for formal products that embrace the full ISA-88 standard. There are elements of the ISA-88 standard that have migrated into well- structured applications that don’t use a formal product. Such structure can prove to be helpful and has even gained acceptance outside of the batching industry. This paper, however, intends to help guide the thought process through the evaluation of whether or not you actually need and would benefit from such formal products– and in many …