The traditional plywood manufacturing process usually requires a large amount of manpower and produces a significant amount of waste material. Then there is the question of safety hazards associated with manually operated machines. Therefore, manufacturers are always looking for ideas that reduce dependency on manpower, improve efficiency and boost overall productivity. Our client was no different. They approached Messung for a cost-effective solution to control their plywood processing plant.

1. PLYWOOD MANUFACTURING PLANT AUTOMATION
WITH MESSUNG'S NX-ERA SERIES
The traditional plywood manufacturing process usually requires a large amount of
manpower and produces a significant amount of waste material. Then there is the
question of safety hazards associated with manually operated machines. Therefore,
manufacturers are always looking for ideas that reduce dependency on manpower,
improve efficiency and boost overall productivity.
Our client was no different. They approached Messung for a cost-effective solution to
control their plywood processing plant.
ABOUT THE CUSTOMER
This customer is a reliable organization engaged in manufacture of a qualitative
range of industrial products. They have a team of experts to maintain a vigil on the
quality of the products. Every single piece of work is ensured with proper quality
assurance. Use of modern technology, industry standards, and quality deliveries.
REASONS FOR AUTOMATING
There are several reasons for automating a PLYWOOD manufacturing system. Our
client was keen to invest in automation for several reasons, namely:
• increase labour productivity
• reduce labour cost
• mitigate the effects of labour shortage
• reduce routine manual or clerical tasks
• improve worker safety
• improve quality
• reduce manufacturing time
• accomplish processes that cannot be done manually.
KEY SOLUTION GOALS
- develop a logic to control the process section-wise in the following sequence:
1. Raw material section
2. Dryer line section

2. 3. Gluing and blending section
4. Forming and pressing section
5. Cutting section
6. Sanding section
- increase productivity and operational speeds
- improve system reliability
- reduce safety hazards for employees
THE SOLUTION
Working collaboratively with our client's team, the Messung engineering team
proposed an automated solution that integrated:
- NX-ERA NX3020 PLC controller
- NX-ERA JET IO Modules
- NX-ERA NX5101 Modbus TCP remote IOs
- 10- and 7-inches HMI
- 26 nos. of VFDs
- control & synchronisation of VFDs on Modbus RS485 network
- installation & Commissioning of the Automation system in less than 6 months
THE HEART OF THE SYSTEM: NX-ERA JET
The PLC promoted in this project by Messung was the NX-ERA JET PLC. This high-
performance CPU offers the best cost-effective solution combination of input and
output modules for large and distributed systems as well as medium to small sized
applications. Jet can be also combined with the main products of the series, such as
CPUs, backplane racks, communication and fieldbus modules.
Powerful Features
NX-ERA Jet has all the important features of the popular NX-ERA Series. It turns
into a selection of input and output modules where requirements such as hot
swapping and advanced functionalities such as OTD (One Touch Diag) and EPS
(Easy Plug System) are no longer necessary. The result is a group of compact and
economical modules capable of providing highly competitive solutions, with no loss
of electrical characteristics such as isolation, performance and accuracy.
- NX-ERA Jet has integrated power supply & I/O points, reliable and compact I/O
modules
- For more flexibility and agility in the development of applications, NX-ERA Jet
counts on WEBSERVER
- Offers high speed counters and PTO for simple motion applications

3. BENEFITS FOR THE CUSTOMER
- SCADA&HMI system enables the customer to obtain information leading to better
process traceability, and storage of performance data which is essential to correct
quality issues.
- Remote IO system on MODBUS TCP communication provides access to
sensor-level data in difficult-to-reach areas. This ensures smoother operation of
system components while streamlining device replacement and machine
maintenance – again saving costs and improving efficiency.
- Total IO Count- 600nos.Since all Input/output signals are connected to a single
controller, this avoids expensive multi PLC controller systems.
- Network of 26 nos. of VFDs: Due to networking, only communication cable is
required which is much easier to install and less expensive than many cables
otherwise required for connecting discrete signals to control the VFDs.
- Auto-Tune PID controllers automatically regulate process parameters such as
speed, pressure, temperature, etc., and keep the actual output as close to the
target/setpoint output as possible.
- System supplied at affordable price
OUTCOME
The client has reported an increase in productivity and reliability, and decrease in
costs. Also, by reducing manpower dependency, the new system has generated a
significant reduction in the number of problems relating to product quality and
operator safety.
ABOUT MESSUNG
Messung is one of India’s leading Industrial Automation Companies offering
cutting-edge, custom-built solutions for Process Automation, Servo & Motion
Control Automation and General Purpose Automation. Counted among the top 10
PLC manufacturers, Messung offers a range of world-class Programmable Logic
Controllers (PLC), Remote I/O Modules, Servo & Motion Control solutions and
Human Machine Interface (HMI) for a gamut of applications across diverse
industries.
Messung also offers a wide range of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and
Servo/Motion products from Fuji Electric for simple to complex industrial applications.
Messung partners throughout the complete life cycle of your plant, and customises
industrial automation & control solutions that meet the highest technical
demands for speed, quality, operational reliability, system availability and more.If
you’re searching for a PLC automation partner for your industry, consider Messung
– PLC automation company with four decades of experience and proven expertise
to their name.
MESSUNG SYSTEMS PVT. LTD.
PUNE (HO),501, 502, 503, Lunkad Sky Vista,Viman Nagar, Pune - 411014, India.
Tel: +91 20 66492800 https:www.messungautomation.co.in Email:info@messung.com