ABB paperless recorders help ensure round-the-clock quality control of meat products
A manufacturer and supplier of meat products to the food industry is using two ABB RVG200 paperless data recorders to help ensure its products are produced to the highest levels of safety and quality. Used by the food producer to monitor and record temperatures in different parts of its factory, the two recorders are helping to ensure that the right ambient conditions are maintained throughout its production lines, freezers, raw meat chillers and despatch area.
The meat products produced here are then used by other food manufacturers as part of products, such as sandwiches and canned goods. It supplies a range of processed meat products that can be delivered chilled, frozen, cooked or raw to suit customers’ production and packaging needs.
Accurate temperature control is vital in helping to ensure the quality of the company’s products. Previously, temperature monitoring across the site was decentralised, with separate monitors indicating any temperature variations in particular areas. If an unexpected variation occurred, the QA department would need to spend time finding out when it started and which batches of product may have been affected.
To help overcome the problem, the company wanted a central monitoring system but had judged PLCs as too expensive for the application. A solution that could remotely change the set points of the temperature monitors was desirable, as some are sited in areas where access is difficult.
ABB recommended its RVG200 paperless recorders to meet the needs of the application. With 24 inputs enabling direct connection of mA, mV, TC, RTD, voltage and digital signals, the recorders provide the ability to collect reliable, highly accurate data from connected process instruments.
Together, the two recorders are used to collect data from across the site. One recorder monitors temperatures in high risk areas while the other deals with low risk areas.
Both are mounted in a panel which has a beacon light that is activated upon the occurrence of a temperature alarm to attract the attention of the QA staff. The panel also has a dedicated button to acknowledge alarms. The appropriate recorder shows the area where the temperature alarm occurred, together with the time and duration and the recorded temperature variation. In the event of a temperature variation outside of normal working hours, the production manager and QA staff can also now be notified by emails sent by the RVG200s to their smart phone.