Case Study: Sandbags achieves increased production efficiency and nationwide remote monitoring with AVEVA InTouch Edge HMI

InTouch Edge HMI was selected by Sandbags for operation of its sandbag filling machines to improve overall production efficiency and flexibility of communication

Sandbags, a U.S. manufacturer of mobile sandbag-filling machines, needed to improve monitoring and control of its Super 50 units and enable reliable communication between remote quarry sites and its Network Operations Center in Las Vegas. Key challenges included keeping pace with a production target of about 2,000 sandbags per hour, integrating many device drivers and PLCs into a unified SCADA/HMI system, supporting video and weather telemetry from remote sites, and avoiding costly, hard-to-maintain C-based machine control software. AVEVA InTouch Edge HMI was chosen to address these needs.

AVEVA implemented InTouch Edge HMI runtime on Advantech UNO-2184 industrial PCs (with secure cellular and Wi‑Fi routers and on-site cameras) to provide thin-client and mobile access, alarm and historian connectivity, and seamless device integration. The solution established effective communications between all Sandbags sites and the Las Vegas operations center, delivered real-time site video, weather and production metrics to the NOC, and enabled MES data collection and security monitoring. AVEVA’s deployment reduced development and maintenance costs, improved operational efficiency, currently connects 25 machines (scalable to 100), and supports Sandbags’ planned fleet expansion.

Sandbags