Multi-Site LineVision Control Cabinet Rollout for a UK Food Manufacturer
Sector:
Food & Beverage
Type:
New Build - Control System, Software
Platform:
Siemens
Certification:
CE / UKCA
Summary
DelaControl designed, built, tested and delivered a large fleet of LineVision control cabinets across two UK food manufacturing sites for the same customer. The scope spanned hybrid hub panels, satellite panels, server room interface panels and associated networking hardware — all on a Siemens platform — with each successive site roll-out drawing on the proven architecture established at the first.
Challenge
A food manufacturer required a production line monitoring system to be rolled out across multiple UK sites. The system needed a distributed hub-and-satellite cabinet architecture, with each hub panel housing a controller and HMI for local control, and lightweight satellite panels providing remote operator input at line level.
A server room interface panel was also required at each site to bridge non-Profinet field devices to the wider network via an IoT router. The customer had no formal electrical specification in place at the outset, and the panel design needed to suit a food production environment — requiring hygienic-design stainless steel enclosures for the line-facing cabinets.
Solution
DelaControl designed the full cabinet suite on a Siemens platform, drawing on an established hub-and-satellite architecture already proven on earlier LineVision installations. Hub panels were built as hybrid units housing a Siemens S7-1200 PLC, Siemens TP700 HMI, Siemens SITOP 24 V power supply, Schneider Electric MCBs and a Siemens isolator, all within a Rittal hygienic-design stainless steel enclosure. Satellite panels housed only a Siemens TP700 HMI for remote operator input, also in hygienic stainless steel enclosures. Server room panels provided network interfacing, incorporating a Siemens S7-1200 PLC, IXON IoT router, Red Lion protocol converter, a 24-port network switch and circuit protection — housed in either a mild steel or 12U wall-mounted rack enclosure depending on site requirements.
For one site, selected hub panels were fitted with M12 4-pin connectors to allow straightforward sensor connection from line equipment, and emitter-and-receiver type diffuse sensors with M8 connectors were supplied to monitor production lines. Slimline 24 V DC relays were also provided to interconnect sensors within Pro-Seal machinery.
All panels were built at DelaControl's Bristol facility. A full drawing pack — general arrangements in AutoCAD and schematics in EPlan — was produced for each site, along with a Declaration of Conformity to the Low Voltage and EMC Directives (in accordance with BS EN 60204, BS EN 61439-1 and BS EN 61439-2). Each batch of panels was subject to a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) with an Inspection and Test Schedule and signed certificate provided on successful completion.
Key Facts
• Hub panels: Siemens S7-1200 PLC, Siemens TP700 HMI, Siemens SITOP PSU, Rittal hygienic stainless steel enclosures
• Satellite panels: Siemens TP700 HMI only, hygienic stainless steel enclosures
• Server/interface panels: Siemens S7-1200 PLC, IXON IoT router, Red Lion protocol converter, 24-port network switch
• Architecture: hub-and-satellite Profinet-based system with IoT remote access via IXON router
• Selected hub panels fitted with M12 4-pin connectors for rapid sensor connection
• Diffuse emitter-and-receiver sensors with M8 connectors supplied for production line monitoring
• All panels built and FAT-tested at DelaControl's Bristol facility
• Full documentation suite: AutoCAD GAs, EPlan schematics, Declaration of Conformity, ITS and FAT certificate