Unipi Patron controls Milkbots, automated washing machines, beverage dispensers and milkshake machines. The unit guarantees accurate dispensing of the selected quantity, its mixing, right temperature, cleaning and disinfection of the dispensing area and, for milkshakes, the choice of different flavors.
Fabric Constructions, s.r.o. focuses on developing, researching, and supplying innovative technologies and construction solutions for the agricultural sector. It offers comprehensive services ranging from distributing agricultural equipment for private farmers, cooperatives, joint stock companies, and traders to the modernization and new construction of livestock production facilities.
Challenge
A customer required a unit for a milk, juice, water, and milkshake dispensing machine. The main challenge was to find a controller that could manage all the functions of the beverage dispensing machine, from selecting a specific beverage to payment, obtaining the exact amount of product, cleaning the machine, mixing (200-400 liters of milk), and monitoring the correct temperature.
Another important factor was to ensure 24/7 uptime and longevity of the machine in different climatic conditions. Some older Milkbot machines have been in operation for more than 15 years without the need to change the control unit.
The goal was to get stable controllers for Milkbot with a fast delivery date. At the time of Covid, a competing manufacturer delivered units to Fabric Constructions in 6-8 months and Unipi just in 5 days.
Solution
The Unipi Patron is the solution for Milkbots, automated dishwashers, water dispensers, or milkshake machines. Patron S207, M207, and Extension xS11 controllers are used. The project is based on the Mervis platform. As most of the equipment is intended for export outside of the Czech Republic, for example, to the UK or Ireland, a significant advantage is the remote management, which allows local software modifications to be made without a physical visit.
Unipi Patron
- Can decide which product or quantity has been paid for - whether there is sufficient credit for it
- Can dispense the exact amount of product by starting the peristaltic pump and measuring the product dose with a flow meter (for syrup, the pump start time is measured), stops dispensing when the desired amount is reached with 0.3% accuracy
- Starts the rinsing and disinfection germicidal lamp controlled by time
- Mixes by starting a large pump capable of mixing milk in a barrel
- Monitors temperature - checks ambient temperature for a specified time, warns when the first value/time is exceeded, and stops dispensing when the second value/time is exceeded (monitors both the upper limit and the lower limit to prevent product freezing in the tank)
Other features
One Patron S207 controller can manage a 200 l milk/water dispenser with one dispensing window and the following components:
- 1x main pump
- 1x agitator
- 1x rinser
- 1x germicidal lamp
- 1x flow meter
- 2x door opening sensors
- temperature
- 1x Nayax credit card reader
- 1x coin acceptor
The Patron M207 unit can be used to control a 400 litre milk/water/milkshake dispenser with up to two dispensing windows, but with the input payment components limited to coin or credit card.
The maximum occupancy for Milkshake400i is a Patron M207 PLC together with Extension xS11 module which can control a vending machine with two separate dispensing windows, 2 drums of 200 l product (400 l in total) with the following output components:
- 2x main pump
- 12x syrup pump
- 2x agitator
- 2x rinser
- 2x germicidal lamp
At the input there are:
- 2x flowmeter
- 4x door opening sensors
- temperature
Input/output devices (pulse but also RS232 or RS485):
- 2x Nayax credit card reader
- 2x Milkbot RFID reader
- 2x coin acceptor
- 2x bill acceptor
- 4x coin return
- external communication with the bottle dispenser for credit/coin transfer at pulse/SCA level
The solution also includes email alarms to alert you to non-standard situations - for example, when the milk runs out, the flow meter reports an error or the temperature exceeds the limits (upper/lower).
"We have also used Unipi Patron for automated washing machines and water dispensers (for Ghana). We now offer milkshake dispensers where milk and flavour are mixed. The solution is now for up to 12 flavors." - Jiri Jurajda; Head of Development Team
Where to go next?
