SCADA system for analysis and control of beverage production
FEMSA TOLUCA CASE
Coca Cola FEMSA's Toluca plant faced several urgent problems to solve at Well 4. Failures in harmonics and the variable speed drive (including problems with the power card, start control, and generation of reflective waves due to the length of the cables) caused interruptions in production.
In addition, the plant lacked a clear, unified view of operational activities and information, making it difficult to optimize operating flow and equipment utilization.
The need to digitize and analyze the main electrical variables of the submersible pump and the well became evident in order to detect potential failures in a predictive and preventive manner.
It was also essential to program specifications and conditions recommended by the pump manufacturer to ensure its optimal operation and comply with the requirements and standards of the Mexican Beverage Bottling Company.
To solve all these problems, FEMSA turned to MES Automation, who developed a SCADA system for analysis and control of beverage production in order to simplify the collection, analysis and control of information data.
This solution established and controlled the product creation process, and facilitated monitoring and support in application development, in addition to increasing the use of technological control automation and providing a better methodology to optimize the operational efficiency of the plant.
PROBLEMS AND NEEDS
Prior to the implementation of the definitive solution by MES Automation, the Coca Cola FEMSA plant in Toluca was facing multiple operational problems that urgently needed resolution in its well No. 4. The main difficulties were centered on:
- Harmonic faults: These faults disrupted the proper functioning of the equipment and affected the stability of the electrical system.
- Problems with the variator: There were frequent failures in the power board and start control, which affected the efficiency and reliability of the process.
- Generation of reflective waves: The length of the cables caused the generation of reflective waves, which negatively impacted the operation of the equipment.
These problems were more than enough to urgently require improving the management and monitoring of well operations through a SCADA system for analysis and control of beverage production. To do so, FEMSA identified several essential needs:
- Digitization and analysis of electrical variables: It was essential to digitize and analyze the main electrical variables of the submersible pump and the well to detect potential failures in a predictive and preventive manner.
- Recommended programming specifications: It was necessary to program the specifications and conditions recommended by the pump manufacturer to ensure optimal operation.
- Compliance with requirements and standards: The plant had to meet the requirements and standards established by the Mexican Beverage Bottling Company to ensure the quality and efficiency of its operations.
Reasons
FEMSA decided to seek the help of MES Automation to implement a SCADA system for analysis and control of beverage production due to several key reasons that aligned its operational needs with MES Automation’s capabilities. The key reasons include:
Digitization and analysis of critical variables
FEMSA needed to digitize and analyze the main electrical variables of the submersible pump and the well to detect potential failures in a predictive and preventive manner. MES Automation offered a solution that allowed collecting, monitoring and analyzing this data in real time, thus improving the plant’s ability to anticipate and solve problems before they affected production.
Programming specifications and recommended conditions
To ensure optimal pump performance, it was important to follow the manufacturer's recommended specifications and conditions. In this regard, MES Automation's SCADA system for beverage production analysis and control allowed the programming and control of these parameters, ensuring that the equipment operated within the optimal limits established by the manufacturer.
Compliance with requirements and standards
The plant had to meet the requirements and standards set by the Mexican Beverage Bottling Company. The SCADA automation system for beverage production not only met these standards, but also improved operational efficiency and process quality, ensuring that the plant maintained its high levels of performance and compliance.
Clear vision of operational activities
A clear view of all the activities carried out in the plant was needed to satisfy the flow of operations and information. MES Automation's SCADA system for analysis and control of beverage production offered advanced tools for data visualization and management, allowing FEMSA to have more precise and detailed control of all operations in real time.
In MES Automation, FEMSA found a strategic partner capable of offering a comprehensive solution that not only addressed existing technical problems, but also provided the necessary tools to improve the efficiency, quality and compliance of its operations.
CAPABILITIES
The implementation of the SCADA system for analysis and control of beverage production by MES Automation at the Coca Cola FEMSA plant represented a major advance in the management and control of operations at Well 4.
This solution, in addition to alleviating existing technical problems, also introduced a series of advanced capabilities that improved operational efficiency and safety.
- Simplifying the collection of operational and process data.
- Detailed analysis and real-time control of process variables.
- Centralization of process variable data for fast and efficient access.
- Establishment of optimal parameters and conditions for production.
- Ensuring the quality and consistency of the final product.
- Tools for monitoring and controlling the development of new applications and improvements.
- Ongoing technical support to maintain and upgrade the system to meet operational needs.
- Increase in the percentage of automation in process control.
- Reduction of manual intervention and minimization of operational errors.
- The SCADA automation system for beverage production gave restricted access to the application to authorized personnel only.
- Implementation of security measures to protect the integrity of data and operations.
- General application screen with real-time alarm viewer.
- Specific screens for the operation of Well 4, including data entry and remote control settings.
- Trend screens and historical queries for long-term data analysis.
- The SCADA system for analysis and control of beverage production had tools for detecting problems in production lines, especially in essential equipment for generating water for the plant.
- Support for continuous improvement plans and preventive maintenance.
- Standardization of the well visualization scheme to facilitate monitoring and control.
- Efficient management of collected information to generate key reports for the operation, maintenance and management of facilities.
RESULTS
The SCADA system for analysis and control of beverage production implemented by MES Automation at the Coca Cola FEMSA plant has generated great results, improving the operation of Well 4 and providing clear benefits in several important aspects.
These are the most obvious results obtained with this solution:
Access to the application
- Access security: Only authorized personnel have access to the application, ensuring data protection and the integrity of operations.
Application overview screen
- Header: Provides a clear and organized overview of the main functions.
- Real-time alarm viewer: It allows immediate visualization of any problem or anomaly, facilitating a quick and effective response.
Well 4 operation screen
- Data Entry Screen: Simplifies the entry and updating of operational data.
- Remote Control Settings Screen: The SCADA automation system for beverage production allows remote adjustments and configurations, improving flexibility and responsiveness.
Alarm screen
- Displays all active alarms and alarm history, making it easy to track and manage incidents.
Trends screen
- Provides a graphical display of trends in process variables, helping to identify patterns and anticipate problems.
Historical trends
- Graphical adjustment tool detail: The SCADA system for analysis and control of beverage production allows detailed analysis of historical data to improve decision making based on past trends.
Historical queries
- Use of queries by plant personnel: Facilitates access to historical data for analysis and reporting.
- Example query to calculate the average flow value: Shows how to use query tools to obtain specific and useful information.
- Query tuning tool detail: Allows you to customize queries to obtain the most relevant data according to operational needs.
Centralized repository of process variable data
- Centralizes all operational data, improving accessibility and information management.
Implementation benefits
Versatility in visualization:
- Visual system for production and preventive maintenance.
- Support for continuous improvement plans.
- Detecting problems in production lines, especially in equipment essential for generating water for the plant.
- Tool to keep the well running.
- Standardization of the well visualization scheme.
Integration:
- Efficient management of information collected in the field.
- Generation of key reports for the operation, maintenance and management of facilities.
Supply:
- Ability to collect information from other sources, sensors and wells.
- Integration of collateral processes with the water SCADA, allowing remote control and visualization of status variables.
Availability:
- Well-defined and physically segregated architecture, allowing a well to operate independently without interference from other wells in development or maintenance.
If we analyze these results, we can clearly see how the implementation of the SCADA system for analysis and control of beverage production by MES Automation not only solved the initial problems of the plant, but also greatly improved the efficiency, safety and operational capacity of Well 4, providing a strong foundation for the future growth and optimization of Coca Cola FEMSA's operations.
Improve your plant's efficiency with a state-of-the-art SCADA system
Simplify real-time data collection and analysis, improve operational efficiency and ensure compliance with the highest standards. Detect potential failures in a predictive and preventive manner, and maintain detailed and secure control of all your activities.
Originally published on October 8, 2024, updated on June 1, 2026