In tune

To control the expansion of a silo park, engineering & construction company IEC called on Breemes. Because the electrical service provider was involved in the engineering from the beginning, it was able to make smart proposals for both the low-voltage part and the PLC control. ‘We have always been able to find each other well and when changes occurred, we were quickly on the same page with Breemes.’

IEC (Innovation Engineering & Construction) specialises in plastic machining, stainless steel machining and process control and automation. The company in Riemst (B) serves a wide range of customers, from chemicals and pharmaceuticals to the semiconductor industry and academia, with customised projects.

Breemes has been supplying electrotechnical components for more than a decade and is also the specialist for technical questions for IEC, says Kristof Hansen, project manager in the mechanical (plastic) and electrical field. ‘If we have special questions or are left with control and electrical questions, we can always contact Peter or Gert.’ At Breemes, Peter Devue is product specialist industrial automation and Gert Vanwezemael is electrical consultant. They were recently able to fulfil their role again on an IEC project to expand a silo park for grain storage. 

High capacities, large flows

The capacity of the silo park was doubled, says Hansen. ‘We were commissioned to build the electrical part. This included the controls for transporting the grain from dumping point to silo and aerating the silos. At the park, there are imposing silos connected by conveyor belts that have to cover long distances. This requires high capacities and correct dimensioning of components and safeguards. For this reason, we enlisted the help of Breemes. For us, this was not new, but it is not something we do every day. We wanted to do it economically, technically correct and according to the latest technology.’ 
 

‘IEC wanted to tackle it economically, technically correct and according to the latest technology’ 

For Breemes, this is exactly the kind of work it does on a daily basis, Vanwezemael responds. ‘We went to the site to have a look in order to arrive at a good offer, because every situation is slightly different. When working out the details, we always look at the budget, the continuity of the installation and the legal standards it must comply with. For this project, I made the complete low-voltage study, with short-circuit and cable section calculations and the configuration of the general low-voltage board and the decentralised control boards.’

Devue: ‘For the automation, IEC had already made a principle diagram and determined how much I/O had to be read and controlled at each location. The request to us was to put together the hardware and in consultation we then arrived at a final configuration. For that, I worked out the PLC control proposal, including the configuration of the drives with the necessary softstarters and variable speed drives.’  

From the beginning

It was important that Breemes was involved in the project from the very beginning, Vanwezemael stresses. ‘Kristof and his staff were really open to ideas we suggested from Breemes and went along with them when they could.’ Hansen agrees. ‘We quickly involved Breemes in the project to be able to be on the same page from the first token. Indeed, they do this on a daily basis and that has added great value for us. For example, they selected components that we did not initially think of, but which made the whole project more compact and easier to construct. We always found each other well and when changes occurred, we were quickly on the same page.’ Vanwezemael has another example. ‘Initially, the end customer wanted to supply the necessary cables itself, but after we made the cable calculations, the order for the cables was also placed with us.’ 
 

‘Breemes selected components that made the assembly more compact and simple’ 

In the high-voltage cabin, the distribution of high power to the various users, including low-voltage distribution, required attention. Vanwezemael: ‘Our solution with the main distribution board and the circuit breakers works out well for the short-circuit powers, among other things. Kristof told me that they were not so familiar with that matter and were satisfied that a partner like Breemes could advise on it. That's why it was so important that we were involved in the engineering from the beginning.’ 

Simple and smooth

Integrating the extension into the existing controls was easy. For the existing silo park, another party had set up the controls, with a different brand, reports Hansen. ‘But back in 2020, we were asked to renew it, in view of the expansion that has now been realised. We then used Siemens S7-1500 and ET 200SP components, with sufficient performance and capacity for the expansion.’ Thus, the project progressed smoothly. ‘Our control cabinets have been installed and now the owner of the silo park is finalising, for which we still have to do the last things in the controls.’ Above all, there was good interaction, Devue says in conclusion. ‘I don't think we really had any problems, it all went smoothly.’ 

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