Integrated process and automatic solutions from APV

Citation

(1998), "Integrated process and automatic solutions from APV", Assembly Automation, Vol. 18 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.1998.03318caf.009

Integrated process and automatic solutions from APV

Integrated process and automatic solutions from APV

Keywords Integrated processes, Software

APV is offering a new and exciting dimension in integrated processing and automation. As a member of the Siebe Group, APV is now able to offer customers a combination of the latest process technologies and leading automation solutions (Plate 6).

Plate 6 Typical integrated factory control system

By accessing the systems offered by Siebe, APV has the proven technology to integrate ACCOS and PLC process control and supervisory systems with top level company administration and management networks, such as SAP. This is a truly open and flexible system, which can start as small as a stand-alone personal computer-based solution and grow to become a fully networked enterprise. Software packages for laboratory, production and service information management are available, and these can be fully integrated with accounts and administration to provide instant access to all vital management information.

This is known as "sensor to boardroom" capability, which is a key feature of APV's intelligent automation (I/A) series of plant-wide automation systems. Investment is possible in stages as the system can be developed by the gradual addition of appropriate software.

The I/A series enhances and complements the APV/ACCOS philosophy of forwards/backwards compatibility for all new developments. Previous automation investments will therefore never be wasted, since the I/A series systems can be used to adapt an existing system to meet a customer's specific plant needs.

In order to provide unparalleled control over a process plant, I/A series customers can participate in a service agreement which allows access to the support of a remote diagnostics service, known as "Foxwatch". This means that experts are available, day or night, to address any problems on site. Foxwatch services include system administration, event-activated response and remote spares support.

Recognising the advantages that the Siebe I/A series can offer, several APV customers are already investing in the technology as they extend or develop their existing facilities. Recent APV orders which combine APV processes with Siebe I/A series automation include:

• •

  an evaporation and crystallisation plant for a dairy customer in Lithuania;

• •

  a butter-making plant for a leading manufacturer of dairy products in Denmark;

• •

  a UHT plant for a dairy in Saudi Arabia.

APV claim that with APV/Siebe IIA series there is always a way forward for compatible system upgrades and enhancements. For customers wishing to combine latest process technologies and automation systems which will support them for the lifetime of their process plant, the solution is now available from APV.

For further information contact: Nell Burden, APV UK, PO Box 4, Gatwick Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 2QB, UK. Tel: 01293 527777. Fax: 01293 552640. International: (44) (0) 1293 527777; Fax: 44 (0) 1293 552640.