Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) has contracted Super Systems Inc. (SSi) to upgrade the control architecture and technology used in its heat-treat facility. SSi instrumentation, software and field services will provide all the necessary capabilities, including turnkey installation, training and programming. SSi instrumentation will control and monitor over 300 I/O process points in the heat-treating department. These points are made available to plant personnel at the click of a button using the integrated control and software from SSi. The upgrade includes the SSi 9205 programmable multi-loop atmosphere controller, which is specially designed for atmosphere-furnace applications using recipe programming, Ethernet communication, built-in data logging and expandable I/O.

The instruments will communicate directly to the SCADA control network, including Allen Bradley PLCs, to provide error-free control with complete traceability.

RIA is the largest government-owned and operated arsenal. The facility, located in Rock Island, Ill., manufactures equipment used to support military field operations.