Case Study: Vintecc achieves 90% pre-hardware verification and months-faster development with MathWorks Model-Based Design

Vintecc Develops PLC System for Multi-Axle Harvesting Machine Using Model-Based Design

Vintecc, a Belgian consulting firm, was tasked with developing a PLC-based control system for a custom four-axle harvester capable of moving 100 tons per load. Facing a vastly more complex powertrain and hydraulic architecture than the previous model, Vintecc needed to avoid hand-coding PLCs on hardware and instead model, simulate, and verify controllers early; they turned to MathWorks' Model-Based Design tools, including Simulink and Simscape, to meet that challenge.

Using MathWorks solutions, Vintecc modeled the plant and controllers, ran model-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop simulations, and generated CODESYS-compliant Structured Text with Simulink PLC Coder for deployment to IFM EcoMat PLCs; Vehicle Network Toolbox and Simulink Desktop Real-Time enabled real-time CAN-based HIL testing. The MathWorks-based approach verified 90% of the design before hardware was available, shortened development by two to three months, and enabled new features (cruise control and auto-reverse) to be implemented and tested in days, greatly reducing errors and improving reliability.

Vintecc

Vincent Theunynck

Founder and Principal Engineer