PLANAR VIDEO WALLS CREATE 21ST CENTURY CONTROL ROOM
Minneapolis-based Spye specializes in the creation of digital environments for commercial and residential customers worldwide. Among its flagship projects is a new control room just completed for the float glass plant of Cardinal Glass Industries, located in Portage, Wisconsin.
The 350,000 square-foot plant is a producer of high-quality glass products, with manufacturing lines running practically non-stop, year-round. "Our goal was to provide the plant a new, 21st-centry control room with mission-critical capabilities that would enable it to maintain the stellar reputation it has earned from its loyal customer base," says Shane Seira Spye's president.
Spye's specific challenge was to provide a state-of-the-art technology upgrade to the plant's existing control room, giving operators an advanced platform for continuous and reliable monitoring of the manufacturing process. "We had the experience to know what technology was required to meet these objectives, which is why we specified Planar's Clarity® Matrix™ LCD Video Wall System as the primary operational interface," Seira adds.
14-panel video wall is optimal control and decision-making platform
Centerpiece of the new, nearly 1,000 square-foot control room is the a seven-wide by two-high (7x2) array of 46-in Clarity Matrix LCD video wall displays. The video wall provides operators with live camera feeds of key areas of the manufacturing line, enabling them to see actual conditions in each area, as well as a continuous flow of production data. This includes at-the-second reporting on the status of factors and properties of glass being produced, such as the mixing of raw materials, and furnace temperatures. "By providing a big, bright, clear view of all of this data on the Clarity Matrix video wall, we've given operators an optimal decision-making tool; one that ensures Cardinal's end products will meet or exceed customers' standards for quality and performance," Seira continues.
Clarity Matrix video walls feature commercial-grade LCD displays designed with exceptional viewing qualities. These include industry-leading brightness (700 nits) and contrast ratio (3500:1). Further, the tiled bezel width of Clarity Matrix is 6.7mm, providing Cardinal Glass operators a virtually seamless view of all critical process data and of camera feeds from the manufacturing area.
Spye specified Planar® Extended Ruggedness and Optics (ERO™) technology for the main Clarity Matrix video wall, made up of Clarity Matrix MX46 displays. Planar ERO supports an electronic annotation solution Spye provided that enables operators to mark directly on the displays in order to gauge the width of the glass being made. Planar ERO is optically-bonded glass that covers the entire video wall, giving it durability and protection, and enhancing viewing by reducing glare. Planar ERO was provided in case the electronic annotation hardware failed. This way, if that part of the system went down they could physically mark on the displays until the electronic annotation hardware was repaired/replaced.
Each Clarity Matrix LCD display incorporates a single, simple interface module that allows power, control and other elements to be remotely located, thus keeping depth, weight, heat and points of failure to an absolute minimum. This module pairs perfectly with Planar® EasyAxis™ Mounting System that facilitates precise, six-axis alignment and provides a perfectly flat viewing surface that is lightweight, easy to install and simple to service.
In addition to the main control room video wall, Spye also installed a three-by-three (3x3) Clarity Matrix Touch video wall (comprised of MX46 models with Planar ERO technology as well) that is also used for process monitoring, augmenting the capability of the larger wall. This 3x3 touch video wall further serves as a demonstration platform; Cardinal personnel use it to showcase the company for plant visitors, using a hand-held tablet to call up and display interactive content that is separate from the process information uSpye by control room operators to monitor the manufacturing process.
Planar excels in design and support
Seira says that Spye understood the importance of providing Cardinal Glass with the monitoring technology to match the needs of the company's demanding manufacturing operation. He adds that Spye also recognized the value of Clarity Matrix's unique style and aesthetic. "We knew it would create an immersive experience that would enhance control efficiency and productivity, as well as impress customers, prospects and visitors alike."
Spye places significant value on Planar's three-year, advanced replacement warranty. "This warranty ensures that Cardinal has a control room interface it can always count on. And Planar's strong commitment to customer support gives plant managers confidence that if any problems arise with either Clarity Matrix video wall, Planar will work closely with the company to solve them quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively."
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
