Topic 1: The Past

Optimization Instead of New Investments: Three ROTH Operator Panels Upgrade an Old Machine Fleet

When looking at their machinery, plant operators often ask themselves: How can I extend the service life of my plant without unnecessarily increasing the risk of a complete machine failure? Time passes. Machines run. Control systems come and go. Machines run. Operator interfaces and visualization devices come and go. Machines run. Operators come and go. The critical factors for running systems are their wear parts and the essential expertise of the machine operators. There are generic solutions for both issues: maintaining a spare parts inventory and providing operator training. When nothing works anymore, the options of scrapping the equipment or performing a full-scale retrofit (complete overhaul) suddenly come into play.

With the ROTH Operator Panel (ROP) , we have created a solution that addresses the system’s human-machine interface (HMI) and provides a modern replacement for devices that have already been discontinued (PHG and HT6). At the same time, it offers a modern UI/HMI for the plant. This is both sustainable and cost-effective, as it avoids the need for a complete control system replacement.

Topic 2: The Present

Simulation Instead of Traveling Overseas: With the Digital Twin!

We are currently unable to travel to some international projects without putting our employees’ health at risk. We’ve taken a creative approach to this situation with an overseas client. By using a virtual simulation of the plant and leveraging standard video conferencing and screen-sharing tools, we’ve established regular, high-quality communication, keeping the client informed of progress at all times. The best part is that these capabilities allow us to bring the end customer—the future plant operator—on board even at this early stage of the commissioning process, so that their feedback can be incorporated into the development process. At the same time, we are currently working on offering operator training in advance to keep the plant’s ramp-up period as short as possible. In addition, our customer can track the current status of the commissioning in real time on a dashboard we provide, based on our Platform+—regardless of device or location.

Best of all: This feature is included in the price for him and will remain available even after the system goes live!

Topic 3: The Future

Monitoring and Oversight in Times of Social Distancing

Physical distancing is the order of the day! However, machines and equipment should still continue to operate. How can supervision and monitoring be ensured? We explored and discussed this very issue with a customer in the manufacturing industry, as they operate on a shift schedule and foremen and supervisors are often not on-site at the same time as the machine operators. With our Platform+, we’re able to capture the relevant data and information from the system (vital data) and display it via our dashboard as a 100% web-based application. This eliminates the need for a physical location; the time and place for retrieving and viewing information become independent and flexible! For one of our clients, we were able to connect three of their most critical systems to a local server and make the data available externally via an interface. This provides an overview and level of control whose added value they will not want to do without in the future.

I hope I’ve inspired you! And I’d love to hear from you about what’s been going on with you and your company over the past few months!
We would be happy to accompany you on your journey (into the future).

Sincerely, Armin Roth