Monitoring Sterilization Tank Temperature and Pressure in a Food Processing Plant

S&B Sankyo uses the GX20 Paperless Recorder to monitor temperature and pressure in a food processing plant's sterilization process.

S&B Sankyo is located in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, which borders Suruga Bay. S&B Sankyo, a subsidiary of S&B foods, manufactures and sells retort pouch and canned foods such as curry, a Japanese favorite. Today we spoke with Mr. Furukawa, chief of production engineering who is in charge of manufacturing equipment maintenance and repair.

When it came time to switch from chart recorders to paperless recorders, a technician tried out demo models from several different manufacturers and made a choice based on usability, functionality, and ease of transitioning from their chart recorders.

Furukawa:  "We chose a model based on the ease of operation, the channel group setting function, display screen customization, and other features."

S&B likes the fact that the GX20 can display data in predetermined groups because this allows them to view discreet temperatures and pressures in each individual sterilization tank. They can split the display into several sections and assign one of many possible screens to each section, including trend, numeric, bar graph, message/alarm, and memory summary. The engineers also use a barcode reader with a RS-232C connection for entering messages upon recording start and other stages.

Furukawa:  "After sterilization, recorded data is automatically sent via FTP to a hard disk over the network. It's all solid state, so the data storage is highly reliable. Switching to paperless means no more recording problems; it's a huge help to know that our data is recorded and stored safely. Plus it's very convenient because we can use the dedicated software to browse the history and search for specific intervals of data. Also, we can view data on a web browser in real time, so if something goes wrong in the factory we can get the data and do the analysis right there in the office. We can even use this during meetings to view data in real time."

The GX20 lets you view its screens from a web browser in real time for smooth remote monitoring.

Furukawa:  "The GX comes with several functions such as one that sends an email when an alarm occurs, so I think we are going to be able to maintain security while exploring additional applications that make use of its networking and paperless advantages."

The GX20 has a variety of convenient networking functions such as FTP and email that allow users to create recording environments that are customized to their needs.

Furukawa:  "We can rely on the product, knowing our data is secure."

Customer Introduction

S&B Sankyo Foods Co., Ltd.
Mr. Hikaru Furukawa, Chief of Production Engineering