Standardizing PLC & HMI Code for a Pharmaceutical Packaging OEM

An OEM of pharmaceutical packaging equipment needed assistance developing standardized PLC and HMI applications to update machines from antiquated to modern controls systems.

Challenge

The antiquated controls systems were up to 25 years old and consisted of differing controls designs. The challenge was to create modular code that could be easily modified to select the options that existed on the different vintages of machines. The programs had to be very robust before downloading to new controls systems because available downtime for debug was minimal.

Solution

Cybertrol developed standardized/modular PLC and HMI code that accomplished several things, including:

• The ability to upgrade multiple machines in the field
• Base programs containing all options possible for the machines
• A modular style of programming allowing for easy removal of dead code
• Successful validation activities due to heavily tested code

Results

The standardized code is still being used on machine upgrades throughout the pharmaceutical industry.