Business View Oceania | August 2022

39 40 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 | BS12- 02E | EtherCAT and PC-based control: New Automation Technology EtherCAT and PC-based control technology setting standards worldwide: all components for IPC, I/O, motion and automation established milestones in automation on a global scale: Lightbus system, Bus Terminal, TwinCAT automation software maximum scalability and open automation systems based on the EtherCAT high-performance fieldbus integration of all essential machine and system functions on one control platform universal automation solutions for over 20 industries: from CNC-controlled machine tools to intelligent building control systems Scan to discover everything about the Beckhoff control system SCL PRODUCTS Our first major client was Silverfern farms, and they were outstanding as we first developed our system. As with any new project, we had our setbacks, and they were always there to work with us towards a better result.” He continues, “We’ve also had help from our Australian friends in the software and technology side of things, through the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. I learned a lot from them about technical side of the whole meat industry, rather than just the processing sector. I didn’t realise how much research and technology was dedicated to increasing and maintaining the eating quality of an animal. That surprised me and I was keen to learn as much as I could. With their advice, we started developing software and database systems, and now we offer a turnkey solution which is not only tracking animals- it’s interacting with different platforms and software providers within an organisation and gathering all the data to send out to stakeholders. It’s quite SCL Products have two main applications to support their RFID tracking systems. Firstly, RIVET-ID (for sheep meat skids) and SCREW- BUNG-ID (for beef meat trolleys) protect RFID tags from the harsh environments found in processing environments and can easily be attached to existing equipment. Secondly, SCL Products provides a Plastic Meat Skid & Gambrel for use in chillers, which allows for increased air flow, better use of space, reduced noise pollution and rail wear, decreased contamination risk, and ease of access, transport, and cleaning. SCL’s RFID systems eliminate the need for barcodes and label equipment, reduce labour, increase accuracy, and support the development of highly automated chiller environments. David Wright is Director of SCL Products. He begins, “SCL’s main value offering is in our ability to support RFID and yield management through our system and tools. Our process starts when the animal is linked to the unique number on meat skids and trolleys. Readers are fixed at different points throughout the processing facility, including weigh stations, quality control, sorting, marshalling, chillers, etc. We also have handheld readers. So as the carcass passes by a reader, the RFID tag is read, and its information is automatically added to the clients’ database. You can’t improve things unless you can quantify them, and to quantify them you need to be able to track trace and line up all your data. RFID is incredibly important for meat processors; it allows complete traceability and data management from end of life through to boning room entry. We are also working with our industry leaders to continue developing a completely closed loop system designed to support a farm to plate tracking experience.” Technology is the game for SCL Products, Mr. Wright explains. “We’ve sunk a lot of time, money, and effort into this product offering over the years, a lot of time, and we’ve had some really integral help along the way in the form of collaborative industry partnerships, supportive client relationships, and government grants.