PLC Upgrade Unlocks Testing Efficiency

For air filter manufacturer K&N Engineering, a high number of simultaneous parallel processes taxed an older test system. A controls upgrade for the test stations doubled test-process efficiency.
Background
For air filter manufacturer K&N Engineering, a high number of simultaneous parallel processes taxed an older test system. A controls upgrade for the test stations doubled test-process efficiency.
K&N Engineering (www.kandn.com) manufactures washable performance air filters and air intake systems for a variety of systems, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles and industrial engines. The goal of this 45-year-old, Riverside, Calif., company is to design and manufacture air filters that provide maximum possible airflow while providing guaranteed engine protection. To do this, K&N Engineering tests all its air filters and intake systems at its laboratory facility, reaching cumulative filtration efficiency between 96 and 99 percent.
K&N Engineering (www.kandn.com) manufactures washable performance air filters and air intake systems for a variety of systems, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles and industrial engines. The goal of this 45-year-old, Riverside, Calif., company is to design and manufacture air filters that provide maximum possible airflow while providing guaranteed engine protection. To do this, K&N Engineering tests all its air filters and intake systems at its laboratory facility, reaching cumulative filtration efficiency between 96 and 99 percent.
Figure 2: The Sandbags Super 50 Machine is a mobile operation that requires connectivity to the central operations station while at the quarry.