Extension of a glass recycling plant

With one of the world's largest logistics provider, BT-Anlagenbau was able to prove its competence in the area of plant extension. The goal was to achieve an increase in capacity of 15% with consistent sorting quality.

It was necessary to replace the existing control hardware, including mimic diagram, with a high-performance control system and a functional visualisation. In addition, an Access database was implemented for ensuring detailed process data acquisition.

Upon identifying the requirements, a control concept based on a SIMATIC S7-400 was drawn up. The I/O modules were equipped by means of standard ET200M modules. Data is exchanged via Industrial Ethernet.

Due to the fact that the entire quantity control was executed using hardware controllers and the operation by mimic diagram, the software could not be simply converted, but had to be newly created from scratch. For this, the settings of the hardware controllers were analysed and replaced by software controllers. Taking a new software approach allowed all functions to be displayed in the new visualisation system.

In the course of the retrofitting, other special requests were also able to be met, such as a freely programmable maintenance protocol for all drives, remote maintenance and an additional observation station in the work manager's office.