How Modernized Process Automation Boosts Efficiency and Safety for Food Production

Related Vendors

TURCK GmbH

Italvacuum, Srl

ProMinent GmbH

Siemens AG

Strong Partners Achieve Goals

According to Petri Moisio, hygiene regulations are one of the biggest challenges in a dairy. The field equipment not only has to comply industry standards but also has to be extremely rugged and easy to clean. These demanding tasks could, nevertheless, be resolved in close cooperation with the supplier. “Even the special challenges involved in installing and commissioning the automation system for the souring agent center in 2009 were overcome with close cooperation between the local system integrator YIT Teollisuusja Verkkopalvelut and Siemens to our complete satisfaction”, said Moisio.

The system integrator was involved in the modernization of the automation technology from the start. The integrated design of Siemens’ solutions also has other advantages: Janne Junttila from YIT Haapavesi emphasizes that it is easier to get familiarized with an integrated system from a single manufacturer than having to match diverse components from different suppliers. Furthermore, spare parts inventories are confined to a single manufacturer. The new system is not necessarily easier to operate, but thanks to its properties and the comprehensive diagnostics, faults are located easier and quicker than before.

Efficiency Throughout

The Simatic PCS 7 process control system is characterized by a flexible architecture that can easily be adapted to different processes and requirements. Applications that are not included in the basic package can be retrofitted using various expansion packages, for example, Simatic Batch for easy control of batch processes. With integrated safety functions and the ability to configure all system components redundantly — and therefore fault-tolerant — the control system is suitable for use in processes with high demands on availability and safety.

Following the modernization, the company is on firm ground again as far as reliability and availability of the automation systems — and therefore the production plants — are concerned. Modern programming tools — such as CFC and SFC used by Valio — are easier to use and more versatile than the previous solutions, the user interface is more user-friendly and handling of the different sub-systems has been considerably simplified. Fault diagnosis and localizing has also been considerably improved. “Spare parts will be available for many years to come, and at prices that are of course much lower than for the older — and in some cases already discontinued — products” mentions Moisio as a further benefit of modernization.

* The author works for Siemens’ Industry Automation division, Nuremberg/Germany.

(ID:27810550)