The project
The company Steiner Automation has been a reliable partner in the field of poultry housing equipment for more than 25 years and has carried out a number of successful projects. During the same period, the know-how gained was used for the continuous technical development of plants and projects. This led to innovative products such as the wet maize mixing system or the OKTO and TOUCH barn computers with new functions and options.
Steiner Automation GmbH & Co KG uses the NetModule routers NB800 and NB1601 for their mobile henhouses and larger automation systems in the agricultural sector. The start of our cooperation and thus the first contact with Steiner Automation GmbH & Co KG was initiated by our sales partner S-Connect.
Quote
«Quality and flexibility are trumps.»
Requirements
- Reliable and stable router function
- Voice function (alarm function)
- SMS option (alarm function)
- Script function (customer-specific software extensions can be implemented via a sophisticated SDK)
- Linux software
Solution
For Steiner Automation GmbH & Co KG, a mobile data connection with an alarm function is a must-have in mobile henhouse, feed mixing plants and larger automation projects (such as a fully automated stable). A fixed component in the switch cabinet is therefore always a router including UPS, switch and antennas.
Various routers were tested and Steiner selected the NetModule router because of its stability, functionality and script function.
Currently there are about 350 routers in use, in addition to 100 additional routers per year. This is a growing segment in the DACH region, with the aim of covering other markets, such as France.
The primary task of the router is to establish internet and data connections to their cloud, remote maintenance, and VPN servers.
In addition, the router is used as an alarm device to inform the end user via SMS and call (Voice) in the case of failure. The communication (TCP) with the higher-level PLC was realized with the help of scripts on the NetModule router. The router monitors the correct function of the SPS and alerts the stored numbers in case of abnormal behavior or complete failure of the system.
Conclusion
Advantages in terms of using the plant:
- The end customer can use a WebApp to remotely control the system and check all parameters, which are important for animal welfare, such as feed and water consumption, as well as ventilation, light and temperature parameters. In addition, the herd behavior can be monitored with the help of a camera system.
- In the case of warning, malfunction or fault, then numbers stored from the end customer are alerted, that means the NetModule router sets an alarm via voice call or SMS to enable a quick intervention from the end customer.
- The presented technical aids enable the end customer an ideal herd management and guarantee the animals a species-appropriate environment/farming form according to the highest bio-standards.
- Because of numerous audits (e.g. by authorities, the organic association, dealers, etc.) a complete record of all herd parameters must be kept. The required reporting can be automatically extracted from the system in the form of e-mail or FTP uploads, so that no further effort is required by end customers.
Due to the flexibility of the entire router concept, Steiner and its customers receive numerous design options to meet their specific needs.
"The NetModule router is a high-quality product that impresses with its functionality and stability," says Mr. Wagner.
The excellent stability and reliability of our router is a basic requirement in this case, because with a non-functioning system, not only revenue breaks away, but also animal lives are at risk. Therefore, we are grateful to make not only a valuable but also a sustainable contribution with our NetModule routers.