To help its clients apply micronutrients, inoculants and pesticides to seeds, Grazmec in Não-Me-Toque, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, builds seed-treating machines, including its GV500i Connect. This machine was redesigned several times recently, and relies on an IIoT concept that simplifies operations and software upgrades, allows remote analysis, increases flexibility, and uses PC-based controls from Beckhoff.
Earlier versions of the machine ran smoothly and had high seed flow rates, but Grazmec reports they were also complex and slow in some respects. Consequently, more sensors were added, along with the option of using four liquid chemical products for seed treatment, as well as touchscreens, storage for up to 10 formulations and product reservoirs. However, subsequent demands for more capacity, and the need for easier software upgrades, prompted another redesign, which included adding Beckhoff’s CX5140 embedded PC with Intel Atom quad-core processor with 1.91 GHz speed and TwinCAT 3 automation software. Its associated I/O system consists of EL1819 and EL2809 digital input and output EtherCAT terminals.
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These PC-based controls allow convenient access to GV500i Connect’s parameters via a CP2916 multi-touch, built-in, control panel with a 15.6-inch display, supported by an HTML5-based operator interface and TF2000 TwinCAT 3 HMI server. This interface can store far more formulations of liquid and powder components, which enables the machine to produce more usable seed. What’s more, manuals and demonstration videos are stored directly on the machine to simplify operations, and reduce process and maintenance times.
As part of Grazmec’s IoT strategy, cost and consumption reports generated by GV500i Connect’s controls also open up new ways of managing and analyzing data. With TwinCAT TF6701 IoT-based communications software, the machine’s data is sent to Grazmec’s server via MQTT publish-subscribe protocol. This input can then be analyzed in conjunction with daily updates on quantities of treated seed and consumed treatment compounds consumed, allowing more informed decisions during processing. The company adds that IoT-related benefits include enhanced remote control and maintenance capabilities.
