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A Smart Manufacturing Solution for Precise Fluid Specs
PLC network easily communicates with bar code scanning equipment to provide out-of-the-box automation solution for heavy equipment manufacturer.
ProDispense Makes Processes Easier for Heavy Equipment Manufacturer
CUSTOMER: Heavy equipment manufacturer
GRACO EQUIPMENT: ProDispense
CHALLENGE: A heavy equipment manufacturer was adding a new, high volume production line. Many kinds of small diesel and gas-powered engines for tractors, lawn mowers, utility vehicles and construction equipment would come through daily.
Each engine model required different amounts of oil, gas and other fluids. The process engineer needed to make sure that each fluid dispense met precise specifications.
Manually filling each engine was inaccurate and slow. The production facility needed a smart manufacturing solution that could recognize each engine model and dispense the correct fluids in the right amounts.
SOLUTION: The company operated production lines in five buildings. Four used the Graco ProDispense. One used a homemade fluid dispense system. They compared both options for the new line.
| ProDispense | Homemade System |
| Out-of-the-box solution proven to work well on four other production lines | Operational on one line |
| Easy-to-use programmable logic controller (PLC) able to speak to their bar code scanner to determine recipes for different engine types | Cumbersome and complex process needed to be followed to determine recipe for each engine type |
| Graco A+ technical support | No backup or technical support from anyone outside the company |
RESULTS: The out-of-the-box ProDispense solution brought much needed simplicity, flexibility, and reliability. It has quickly become an integral part of their new production line. Two units have now been installed, with a third unit purchased and ready for installation in the near future.
Each unit easily connected to their bar code scanning equipment. The bar code scanner communicates with the ProDispense PLC network to determine which recipe needs to be dispensed. This allows the ProDispense to dispense the correct fluid within 1 percent accuracy every time.
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How to Automate Manual Fluid Dispense
Automating industrial fluid dispense can be easier and more cost effective than you might think. Review ProDispense features and real-life examples of how the system benefits factories.
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