Matrix Technologies, Inc. has experienced specialists in factory automation and control systems providing a wide range of services.
LDM Foods recently built a Canola Crushing and Oil Refining Plant in the heart of the Canola growing
region in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada. This plant is capable of processing 2,500 metric tons of canola seed per day, which is processed into food-grade oil along with producing pelletized meal for use as livestock feed.
As part of this green-field project, LDM Foods selected Matrix Technologies as their primary integrator and central authority for all networking, controls, and instrumentation within the new facility, continuing the strong relationship that was developed with Louis Dreyfus during the construction, start-up, and continuing support of their Soy Bean Processing and Biodiesel Plant in Claypool, Indiana, the world’s largest such facility.
For the LDM Foods Canola Plant, Matrix Technologies helped LDM Foods select a Rockwell ControlLogix and Wonderware Intouch 10.1 control platform solution. This solution integrated the very latest in control technology incorporating 7 plant area ControlLogix 5000 controllers, ControlNet and Ethernet communications, 18 Allen Bradley IntelliCenter MCCs and 22 Wonderware Intouch 10.1 thin client HMIs with instant failover redundant I/O servers. The HMI dual-session and dual-monitor thin client platform utilized the latest in ACP thin client hardware and thin manager software.
Above and beyond the regular functions of a system integrator, as part of Matrixs Technologies’ scope of work for the Yorkton Canola Plant, LDM Foods’ personnel specifically selected Matrix to function as the central authority for all networking, controls, instrumentation and integration within the new facility. With this, Matrix successfully performed the following services for LDM Foods:
Matrix developed a complete set of Design Standards/Specifications for the plant including PLC Programming standards and specifications, HMI Development standards and specifications, Network Hardware and Design specifications, Electrical Controls Hardware specifications, and Electrical Drawing specifications.
Matrix worked closely with Louis Dreyfus corporate IT department to design and coordinate a full gigabit, fiber backbone network consisting of 5 separate VLANs and 13 interface switches providing IP phone services, plant data services, PLC communication, HMI communication, and commodity transfer accounting communication.
Matrix worked with over fifteen (15) different Original Equipment Manufacturers on a variety of different levels, ranging from hardware and software integration of OEM equipment to the Plant control system to working closely with the OEMs to ensure conformity to plant standards.
Matrix provided Detailed Functional and Design Specifications for all areas of the plant, which included detailed descriptions of the Automated Process Sequences that were built into each system.
Matrix developed all electrical drawings for the plant including detailed I/O lists, I/O schematics, panel layouts, and full construction packages.
Matrix managed the procurement of all control equipment, including the fabrication, assembly, wiring, and checking of over twenty-five (25) PLC control panels and network panels.
Matrix developed six (6) ControlLogix 5000 PLC programs and one (1) Wonderware Intouch 10.1 application for the plant. The application was deployed to twenty-two (22) HMIs residing on eleven (11) dual-monitor, dual-session thin clients to form the base plant control platform.
Matrix utilized ControlNet, DeviceNet, ASI bus, OPC, HART, and EthernetIP communications to integrate remote I/O, Intellicenter MCCs, HMIs, servers, and a breadth of third-party devices together.
Matrix designed the control system with instant failover redundant Thin Manager and I/O servers. The HMIs provided for Manual, Maintenance, and Automatic Process control along with monitoring and analyses of all plant systems and processes. The control system also supported real-time and historical fault and alarm monitoring and analysis as well as real-time and historical trending/analysis, and recipe management and tracking.
Matrix also design a Wonderware Historian and Wonderware Information Server (Web Server) to accommodate Process Totalization and Inventory/Accounting reporting and analyses.
Matrix worked with the General Contractor and the Electrical Contractor to implement an effective and comprehensive system of issuing and distributing drawings, answering Request for Information from the field electricians, quickly and cost-effectively implementing client changes, and tracking and completing punch-list items during construction.
Matrix implemented a full set of configuration, checkout, and testing procedures used to check all field I/O. The checkout sheets included progress reporting capabilities that gave the client clear and concise reports on the 
percent complete of checkout and testing.
Matrix Technologies was truly a partner with LDM Foods in this endeavor. In this relationship, LDM Foods personnel could feel comfortable to focus on their most crucial tasks of constructing, training, and running their plant, knowing that they could count on Matrix to look out for their best interest and foresee the potential pitfalls. Matrix looks forward to continuing to work with Louis Dreyfus to help build, improve, and maintain the most efficient, productive, and profitable plants possible.
Junot Systems, Inc., a leading provider of embedded SAP integration solutions for the manufacturing and process industries, announced today that they have signed a letter of intent to team up with Matrix Technologies, Inc., a provider of process design engineering and factory automation services to the manufacturing industry. Junot Systems’ plant floor SAP® integration technology and expertise will now allow Matrix to provide its customers with superior manufacturing plant-level SAP integration solutions.
“We are excited to announce this alliance with Junot Systems since we believe that their patented and SAP certified integration technology provides the perfect complement to the broad range of process and automation expertise we already provide to our customers,” said Dave Blaida, Director of Sales & Marketing for Matrix Technologies. “Successful plant to enterprise integration enables companies to dramatically increase and accelerate their return on investment in their disparate automation technologies and systems and has become an essential requirement for today's manufacturers.”
“We are very pleased to form this alliance with Matrix Technologies, recipients of the Control Engineering magazine Systems Integrator of the year for 2008,” said Peter Slater CEO and President of Junot Systems. NLINK®’s comprehensive and practical approach to SAP integration, which allows it to work with any version of SAP, and Junot Systems’ deep functional expertise in emerging manufacturing industry standards such as OPC, ISA-95 / B2MML and Service Oriented Architectures, will enable Matrix to provide standards-based, affordable and low risk plant floor to SAP integration solutions to their customers.”
About Junot Systems:
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Junot Systems, Inc. has deployed and supported its NLINK product suite for over 12 years in a variety of vertical markets, both in the US and overseas. Fast to implement and easy to change, NLINK’s reliable, scalable, flexible and manageable integration solutions enable companies to remove the risk and delay associated with traditional SAP integration projects. For more information please visit the Junot Systems corporate web site at:www.junotsystems.com.
About Matrix Technologies:
Founded in 1980, Maumee, OH-based Matrix Technologies, Inc. provides process design engineering and factory automation to the top manufacturers in the world. With over 125 employees and more than $20 million in sales, Matrix has a tremendous breadth of process and automation expertise focused in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, biotech, glass, metals, and automotive industries – both nationally and internationally. Matrix has extensive international experience and has hundreds of systems installed in 45 countries. Matrix Technologies has regional offices in Indianapolis, Indiana; Tennessee; and Denver/Boulder, Colorado. For more information please visit the Matrix Technologies web site at: www.matrixti.com.
New Capital investment is not always immediately possible. At Matrix Technologies, Inc., we help our clients realize optimum performance of their existing manufacturing processes. We work with you to identify key areas for improvement and help you make the business and technology changes required to meet the challenge.
Our consultants work with clients to document the current state of the manufacturing operations/systems, its features/shortcomings and the desired future state that will meet the client's business needs. Using industry standards and best practices our consultants then develop a strategic vision document for the client that is divided into three sections. Click here for more information.
In November, Matrix Technologies took part in the Process Solutions User Group (PSUG) and exhibited at Rock
well Automation Fair in Anaheim, CA
Divya Prakash, Director of MES Implementation, Matrix Technologies spoke on Process Solution Provider Delivers Food Production Quality and Traceability Benefits by Employing a Rockwell Automation PlantPAx Process Automation System.
The presentation detailed a strategy for Food & Beverage manufacturers to achieve operational excellence by implementing projects that are better aligned with business drivers.
Matrix Technologies highlighted a Food Production Success achieved through use of the PlantPAx architecture. The system employed a range of modules and achieved both batching improvements and captured critical production information for quality tracking and lot traceability to meet regulatory compliance. The project followed a comprehensive requirements definition regimen and involved Production, Quality, Maintenance and IT personnel to solve operational issues as well as support continuous improvement efforts.
Matrix focused on MES, Controls and Process Engineering expertise in the Food Processing, Pharmaceutical, Metals and Chemical industries at the Automation Fair.
Maumee, OH – June 1st 2009 — Divya Prakash (DP) joins Matrix Technologies, Inc. as the Director of Manufacturing
Execution Systems Implementation.
Matrix Technologies, Inc. (MTI) – an award-winning provider of control and systems integration solutions acquired DP to lead the company’s efforts to formalize and expand its Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Manufacturing Intelligence (MI) programs.
“Matrix Technologies, Inc. has been providing these types of services to our customers for the past 15 years, but until now we have not formalized our program or service offering. The addition of DP to our experienced staff will lend the direction and leadership required to expand our offering to existing and new customers.” said David Bishop, president of Matrix Technologies, Inc.
DP comes to MTI most recently from Rockwell Automation where he held a program manager position for the Consumer Packaged Goods marketplace. He has also held senior positions at Sequencia and Honeywell. “His varied background in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, specialty chemical, petrochemical and consumer products meshes perfectly with the markets that Matrix currently serves.”, said Bishop.
DP is well connected in industry and in the supplier marketplace. Memberships with ISA and AIChE keep him tightly integrated into the latest development of standards and new trends in the market including S-88 and S-95 standards. Experience with plant floor systems, knowledge of the ERP systems (including SAP) as well as all types of systems in-between make him the perfect addition to the Matrix team.
DP prefers a customer-centric approach to the sales effort. “You must first understand the problem the customer is trying to solve before you can architect the solution”, said Prakash. “We must work as a team to meet their goals and objectives. My diverse background in the technologies available and the excellent team here at Matrix will ensure the best possible solution for our customers.”
About Matrix Technologies, Inc.
Founded in 1980, Matrix Technologies, Inc. provides process design engineering and factory automation to the top manufacturers in the world. With over 125 employees and more than $20 million in sales, Matrix has a tremendous breadth of process and automation expertise focused in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical, oil and gas, glass, metals, and automotive industries – both nationally and internationally. Matrix has extensive international experience and has over 500 systems installed in 45 countries. Matrix Technologies has regional offices in Indianapolis, Indiana; and Denver/Boulder, Colorado.
On April 15th, 2009 Steve Goldberg (Director - Industrial Systems
Division) was awarded Alumnus of the Year. The award was given by The
University of Toledo Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)
Department & IEE Toledo Section. Mr. Goldberg currently holds a bachelor's
degree in Engineering for Computer Science from The University of Toledo. In
1995 Goldberg was also recognized as a UT Distinguished Alumnus. Steve has
been a member of the Matrix team since 1985 when he stared as a Software
Engineer. Over the years, Steve's hard work and dedication of Matrix
Technologies has proven to be a great asset. He also continues to stay
involved at the University by taking part in many events throughout each
school year. Steve helps contribute to our success in recruiting efforts at
UT. Congratulations and thanks to Steve Goldberg for everything you do for
Matrix Technologies and the University of Toledo.
Matrix Technologies Inc. is proud to be a member of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA), the world’s largest system integrator association. Founder Charlie Bergman’s intent was to grow an association to help independent system integrators to run their business to a professional standard. Matrix Technologies participated from the beginning conferences to joining CSIA as one of the founding members in 1994. Steve Goldberg, Director of Industrial Systems at Matrix Technologies, has served as Director of the Membership Committee and currently serves as the Director of the Partner Committee. Over the years CSIA has grown and now has members of all different levels all over the world. Matrix is honored to aid in translating the promise of technology into performance.
Matrix was instrumental in providing a solution that will save GE over 10% of their water usage. Matrix is involved in many projects that help our customers save money on utilities and help the environment at the same time. Click here for more information on this article or contact us for more information on how we can help you improve your plant operations.
Matrix designed new production areas, including frozen and open ingredient storage, ingredient prep areas, blending, package assembly, cooking, packaging, and finished goods storage. Office areas were completely remodeled, and new areas were created for mechanical equipment, boilers, HVAC, waste water, and maintenance. Click here for more information.
