Application Stories and Case Histories

Sticking to Simple Solutions
2000 Application of the Year

- Industry: Original Equipment Manufacturer
As Johnstone Dispensing Systems compared three major device-level networks, the company found two were extremely complex to use and difficult to implement. The third network, on the other hand, offered the simplicity the company needed. Supported by "all the big players who take control seriously," DeviceNet is the easy to use, easy to maintain network that reduced Johnstone's build time by 80 percent.

Editor's Note: By submitting this month's winning application Joe Meloche earned a $100 gift certificate and won a three-day, expenses-paid trip to Miami Beach, Fla. for the 7th Annual ODVA Meeting. All it took was a visit to the ODVA Web site, a few minutes to complete an entry form and a quick left click on "Send." For your chance to steal the spotlight, read more about the DeviceNet News Network application contest and official rules and regulations.

Taking DeviceNet to Uncharted Waters
December Application of the Month

- Industry: Commercial Fishing
Due to an unfortunate blaze, Simunovich Fisheries was recently faced with the need to rebuild one of its vessels, the Ocean Breeze. However, this process was rife with obstacles. Namely, the ship's traditional wiring scheme was difficult to install and expensive to maintain. After bringing in FHE Electrical, Simunovich found the answer to its concerns in the form of DeviceNet. This network proved to be the reliable solution they needed to succeed in an environment where other technologies had failed.

March Application
of the Month Winner
(This Case history includes several photos from
Anchor Products. It is available as a PDF file to download.)

— Industry: Food and Beverage
The Te Rapa site of Anchor Products - the manufacturing division of New Zealand's largest dairy manufacturer - is a model of manufacturing excellence. As the titleholder of the world's largest whole milk powder plant, Anchor Products implements state-of-the-art technology throughout its facilities to optimize plant performance and productivity. In order to achieve their manufacturing goals Anchor standardized on DeviceNet. By enabling the Anchor team to interrogate statistical data, reconfigure equipment without shutting down the system and review real-time production information, DeviceNet plays an integral part in a plant that processes 8 million liters of milk a day into milk powder.
Application
of the Year

— Industry: Consumer Products
Unveiled almost 30 years ago, Corelle dinnerware - a division of Corning Consumer Products Co. Inc. - is one of the most popular dinnerware brands in the world. And with popularity comes demand. Corning's pressware plant in Corning, N.Y. is the largest glass melting plant in the world, melting 500,000 pounds of glass a day and generating roughly 127 million pieces of ware every year. To help improve production efficiency, Corning recently introduced DeviceNet to its plant floor. The benefits were readily apparent. To start, DeviceNet's easy installation enabled Corning to have its line running two days before the allotted downtime window - translating to 48 hours of ware production and an additional 110,000 pieces. That was the tip of the dinnerware mountain.
November Application
of the Month Winner

— Industry: Food and Beverage
Loders-Croklaan knew that a major, plant-wide upgrade was needed before the end of the millennium. Cascade Controls - an automation controls firm hired by Loders - recommended DeviceNet to network the batch processes. It was a suggestion that would ultimately reduce installation costs, offer superior diagnostics and flexibility, and take the sting out of the Y2K bug.

— Industry: Consumer Goods
After installing DeviceNet in its Le Vigan, France, manufacturing plant, Well saved 80 percent of the time and money that is normally associated with hardwiring.

— Industry: Food and Beverage
Lowering costs, improving diagnostics and increasing flexibility. DeviceNet is the key to staying competitive for Rhode Island Beverage of Warwick, R.I.

— Industry: Original Equipment Manufacturing
By using DeviceNet to consolidate I/O communications, Baco Machinery Inc. in Gastonia, N.C., significantly reduced the amount of hardwiring normally required for its new twist machine.

— Industry: Original Equipment Manufacturing
Seed & Grain Systems, Inc. in New Virginia, Iowa, takes advantage of DeviceNet's interoperability and enjoys the cost-savings and functionality that proprietary networks don't offer.

— Industry: Automotive
Since employing DeviceNet to monitor, manage and maintain its control system, General Motors enjoys the networks' ease of integration, hardwiring reduction, rapid troubleshooting abilities and flexibility for future expansion.

— Industry: Original Equipment Manufacturing
DeviceNet's seamless integration and rapid installation have helped Food Machinery Sales of Athens, Ga., achieve its goal of reducing set-up time while increasing ease-of-use for both its associates and customers.

— Industry: Cement/Sand
With the advanced diagnostic capabilities and added intelligence from DeviceNet, Lafarge Corporation of Alpena, Mich., sees more than savings in wiring costs and installation time.

— Industry: Electronics
Planar Standish Inc. in Lake Mills, Wis., installed DeviceNet to stay ahead of the competition. The company reduced lead times by nearly 75 percent, cut production cycle time for its terminal application line by weeks and significantly enhanced product quality.

— Industry: Consumer Goods
DeviceNet simplified the process of dealing with custom orders for Raynor Garage Doors in Dixon, Ill. The network also allowed Raynor to integrate products from a wide variety of vendors.

— Industry: Food and Beverage
Sasib Beverage deployed DeviceNet at Modelo, the maker of Corona Beer, to seamlessly integrate equipment in a large manufacturing facility without the high cabling expense.

— Industry: Electronics
Saving Compaq Computer Ltd. time and costs since its implementation, DeviceNet provides the company with advanced communication capabilities and power in one cable.

— Industry: Chemicals
Nylonge needed a new automation system to seamlessly integrate a new production line with an existing plant's tight operation schedule. DeviceNet proved to be the ideal solution.

Scanner Card Smooths Smart Pump Pumping Arm

— Industry: Oil & Gas
International Submarine Engineering Ltd. used DeviceNet as they designed and built an autonomous fueling system for Shell Oil of Houston, Texas.

Good Things Come in Tiny Packages

— Industry: Food & Beverage
Teeny Foods achieves its goals to reduce product imperfections, increase production and improve process control by using DeviceNet to coordinate activities on all three of its lines.