Custom controllers replacing PLCs in dairy equipment

Milkplan manufactures refrigerated vessels, mainly for milk handling, and milking equipment. It is known worldwide and exports across the globe.

The automation of Milkplan’s milk handling equipment was first designed around standard industrial PLCs, with off‑the‑shelf sensors and actuators.

This was not the best fit for Milkplan’s products. It depended on many suppliers and logistics chains, it was expensive, and it was not specific to Milkplan’s needs. Milkplan wanted embedded controllers and sensors designed around its own equipment.

We developed two separate, purpose‑designed platforms that provide the control and sensing for most Milkplan products. We also developed all the sensor drivers and the sensor signal‑processing hardware, so that the equipment performs at its best.

On top of this we added full communications, telemetry, remote testing and remote update.

• Food‑safe precision: temperature and wash cycle control
• Smart connectivity: touch, remote, and robotic integration
• Farm‑hardened: extremes, humidity, and washdown

Milkplan is phasing out its older design. New equipment ships to its customers only with the new controllers and their extended features, which puts Milkplan ahead of its competitors in user features and experience.

The controllers are made for Milkplan’s equipment and are not sold as elpra products. We can build similar electronics for other farm equipment.