Zealabs uses the Unipi Neuron PLC to control precision weighing systems in the industry. It receives weight data, processes it, and uses it to control other equipment and display information to the operator.
Zealabs offers comprehensive IoT digitalization services in industry, research, and other areas. It provides its clients with real-time overview of the inventory, optimization of logistics operations, product retrieval efficiency, and valuable decision-making analytics. Integration with client enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems ensures a smooth flow of information and prevents manual errors.
Challenge
Zealabs was looking for hardware for their copper coil weighing automation solution. It was important that the weighing was as accurate as possible, as even minor deviations could affect future production. The customer also required hardware suitable for potential expansion or connection of external devices that would work seamlessly with the existing system equipment.
Solution
The customer chose the Neuron S103 controller for their solution. The Unipi Neuron in the Zealabs solution is the central control unit for scales that accurately determine the weight of copper coils.
"We monitor the scales via RS232 interface and receive inputs on the DI ports of the Unipi system to detect and manage the status of the coil scales."- Adrian Cech - Senior HW Engineer, Zealabs
The controller monitors the status of the scales using digital inputs and can react to various events based on this information.
The following devices are connected to the controller:
- The scales
- Signal tower to detect the status of the scale
- USB camera to capture images of the weighed object
- Laser gate for detecting the entry of an item into the space
Thanks to the software openness of the Unipi units, Zealabs can use its software to create a completely unique solution. Most manufacturers offer only limited customization options. Unipi, however, allows customers to choose from a wide range of available software solutions, from the officially supported Mervis platform to third-party solutions to the customer's software.
Next steps
In the future, Zealabs plans to add an external LCD to the installation box to show additional weighing information.
