Chat on WhatsApp

How We Upgraded a Packaging Line with PLC, HMI and Dashboard Reporting

A detailed industrial automation case study showing how a packaging manufacturer improved line stability, operator visibility, reporting, and overall production performance.

Trusted industrial automation provider in Faridabad, Delhi NCR, Gurugram and across India

Client Background

The client is a fast-moving packaging manufacturer supplying printed and laminated packaging material to multiple FMCG brands. Their plant was running a semi-automatic packaging line with legacy controls, basic push-button operation, and very limited machine-level diagnostics.

As order volumes increased, the line had to run for longer hours with fewer stoppages. The management team wanted a more dependable system that could support production targets, reduce line losses, and provide meaningful data to supervisors and plant leadership.

Project Challenges

The existing packaging line had grown over time, but the control system had not kept pace with production needs. Different machine sections had inconsistent wiring practices, relay-based logic in some areas, and a controller setup that was difficult to troubleshoot during breakdowns.

The customer needed more than a controller replacement. They needed a complete machine automation upgrade that would improve reliability on the shop floor while also creating usable production information for local teams and organization-level review.

Objectives of the Upgrade

Automation Solution We Delivered

As a leading industrial automation provider in Faridabad, Delhi NCR, Gurugram and all India, we designed a complete control upgrade around modern PLC logic, a practical HMI interface, and a plant reporting layer that gave both operators and management the information they needed.

The project included control panel redesign, PLC migration, HMI software development, dashboard reporting, machine sequence optimization, alarm engineering, and onsite commissioning.

Control Hardware and Panel Scope

The old control arrangement was replaced with a cleaner and more maintainable automation panel. We selected an architecture that balanced reliability, serviceability, and future scalability.

In this project, the control solution was built around a Siemens PLC platform with distributed I/O concepts and industrial communication support. We also designed the software structure in a way that can be adapted for Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, Delta, Omron, or Schneider environments where required.

PLC Programming Approach

We rewrote the packaging line control logic with a structured programming method so the machine would behave more predictably in automatic and manual modes.

The PLC program was primarily structured using Ladder Logic for field maintenance friendliness, along with function block style organization for reusable control sections. This helped the client’s maintenance team understand the machine behavior quickly during service calls.

HMI Screen Development

The previous machine offered very little visibility to operators. We developed a new HMI interface focused on fast operation, easier fault finding, and cleaner navigation.

The HMI was designed in a simple, human-friendly style so operators could use it confidently during running conditions instead of depending on verbal handover or guesswork.

Dashboard Development and Reporting

A major part of this project was the reporting layer. The customer did not just want a machine that runs better. They wanted data that could help teams make better decisions at the shift, plant, and organizational level.

Local Plant Dashboard

We created a local dashboard view for supervisors and maintenance personnel that displayed live machine status, current shift output, downtime events, alarm frequency, and line availability trends.

Organization-Level Reports

For plant heads and management, we structured reporting in a way that supports broader performance review across departments and time periods.

This reporting approach helped the customer move from reactive troubleshooting to a more data-driven operating model.

Communication and Integration Scope

The upgraded control system was designed to connect the machine layer with supervisory visibility. We configured communication between the PLC, HMI, drive system, and reporting layer so that production data could move reliably from the machine to the dashboard environment.

Implementation Process

Results Achieved

32%

Reduction in breakdown response time

24%

Improvement in line availability

18%

Faster product changeover support

Live

Production and downtime visibility

Why This Case Study Matters

Many packaging companies face the same problem. The machine is running, but the controls are old, reporting is weak, and the line becomes difficult to support as production demand increases. A well-planned PLC, HMI and SCADA programming upgrade can improve reliability, make operators more confident, and give management the visibility needed to control costs and improve output.

This is where practical industrial automation creates business value. It is not only about replacing hardware. It is about making machines easier to run, maintain, analyze, and scale.

Why Clients Choose Us

Businesses choose us because we combine machine-level understanding with software-level execution. From panel upgrades and PLC programming to HMI screen development and reporting dashboards, we deliver systems that fit real production environments.

Need a Similar Upgrade for Your Packaging or Manufacturing Line?

If you are looking for a reliable industrial automation company for PLC programming, HMI development, SCADA integration, panel upgrades, or machine automation, we would be happy to discuss your project.

Talk to Our Automation Team