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Automation equipment is an integral part of products in all Business Areas of the Andritz Group. There are about 300 engineers at 18 Andritz sites worldwide developing and implementing automation solutions for Andritz machines and plants.
Andritz Automation’s core competences include project design and planning, start-up, plant optimization, and aftersales service for plants designed and manufactured by Andritz. Cooperation between all Business Areas within Andritz Automation ensures that the process know-how available throughout the Andritz Group can be applied to obtain optimized customer-oriented solutions.
Innovations are implemented in a joint, coordinated research and development program for automation in order to keep up with the higher frequency of introducing new products. In 2003, automation solutions were developed for all Business Areas in order to improve the processes and plants both technically and economically.
Research and Development
Andritz Automation focused its R&D activities in 2003 on special sensors, new control strategies and tools, as well as procedures to improve the efficiency of engineering.
"Uniform Tool for Engineering"
A new engineering tool which can be used in all Business Areas and by all process, mechanical, and automation engineers involved in a project was developed and implemented. The "Uniform Tool” shortens planning time and improves the quality of documentation all along the planning, design, and plant operation phases.
Thermography
Andritz Automation developed a new mobile measuring system for surface inspection of Yankee cylinders in paper mills. The system monitors coating thickness and surface temperature of the cylinder in operation. The results are displayed in 3D, usually locating mechanical, temperature and coating-related deficiencies.
Refiner Commander™
A new modular automation system for refiner control, the Refiner Commander™, was developed. It features a new hardware configuration, object-oriented software structure, a high-response hydraulic system, and includes advanced machine and plate protection.
With five systems operating in China, and eight additional units sold, the new Refiner Commander™ has already proved successful in the market.
Bale tracking system
For baling lines, Andritz Automation has developed a new system which keeps track of each pulp bale throughout the entire baling process and provides relevant information for warehouse management or ERP systems.
Business Development
IDEAS Simulation Inc., a global market leader for dynamic process simulation for the pulp and paper industry, which was acquired by Andritz in January 2003, delivered a fiberline simulator for the Bowater, Catawba project in the USA, simulators for several areas of the Valdivia pulp mill in Chile, a recovery boiler simulator to Weyerhaeuser, Canada, and an oxygen bleaching simulator to Kimberly-Clark, Canada.
The entire Veracel pulp mill in Brazil will be simulated using IDEAS software. In addition, IDEAS is the software of choice the world-class Andritz pulp dryer being built in Hainan, China, and also the evaporators to be delivered to China in 2004.
A large contract was awarded by Canadian Natural Resource Ltd. in Canada for simulation of an oil sands plant.
Rolling mills and strip processing lines for Asian plants are now equipped with visualization based on WinCC with diagnostic tools for variable use of four major Asian languages to improve Andritz’s position on the market. The Asian characters make training easy for the operators. For service and start-up purposes, the character set can be switched to English or German.
Andritz PrimeControl™ for tissue machines developed in 2002 was successfully placed in operation in paper mills in Germany, Spain, UK, Poland, and China.
The consistent use of the "soft commissioning" procedure for software products in factory acceptance tests convinced clients in South Africa and China to order Balematic control systems for their baling lines.
With the acquisition of Acutest Oy Andritz gained access to unique Acoustic Condition Monitoring (ACM) technology and expertise that completes Andritz’s offering in preventive maintenance and safety services. ACM equipment helps to detect cracks, leaks, vibration, and friction in process machinery. One important application of ACM is for detecting leaks in recovery boilers operated in pulp mills.
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