Swiss lubricant maker sees benefits of process visualisation

Echternach, Luxembourg – Blaser Swisslube AG, based in Hasle-Rüegsau, Switzerland, recently added visualisation system in its individual production areas, such as the mixing, filling, transport system or the power station

The GE Fanuc Automation’s Proficy HMI/SCADA Cimplicity system was added to support the individual production steps and networking at the operation which produces 100,000 litres/day of cooling lubricant, cutting oil and grease for the metalworking industry.

The system includes GE Fanuc’s Proficy Historian, which saves all process data, such as temperatures, filling levels, added ingredients, along with all raw material codes. Another feature of the web-based design is a web portal that enables access to all historical and on-line data globally.

“The web access provides an advantage if a problem with the power station occurs at night or on the weekend,” said Martin Siegenthaler who heads its process automation and system support activities. “In certain circumstances, I don’t even have to drive to the plant, but can simply solve the problem via my computer at home using a VPN and by calling the building attendant.”

The productivity gains have reached several areas including the filling system in the lubricant plant. The barrels to be filled are delivered by truck, transferred onto pallets and automatically transported to the filling station using various transfer points equipped with conveyor belts.

When faults occurred in the past, the system manager had to connect his laptop to the control PLC and analyse the corresponding inputs/outputs until he located the problem. This was considerably time-consuming and resulted in significant downtime. With visualisation, the manager can obtain detailed information using the causes of the alarms.