{"id":42634,"date":"2023-08-29T08:50:23","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T06:50:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spie-automation.com\/plant-modernization-with-minimal-downtime\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T15:19:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T13:19:20","slug":"plant-modernization-with-minimal-downtime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spie-automation.com\/en\/plant-modernization-with-minimal-downtime\/","title":{"rendered":"Plant modernization with minimal downtime"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Plant modernization with minimal downtime<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For a customer in the wood industry, our partner company SPIE ESCAD Austria carried out a plant modernization with new control technology including control cabinets and wiring. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Challenge and Objective<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The challenge lay in modernizing a main product sorting plant. The sawing line was expanded there, which necessitated a repositioning of the control room. The following milestones were set: <\/p>

  1. Preparation of a new control room with new control cabinets<\/li>
  2. Preparation of the new wiring for the control cabinets (to the actuators and sensors)<\/li>
  3. Definition of weekends during which parts were to be integrated and connected to the new system.<\/li><\/ol>

    Our main objective was to realize a technologically new control system, including all required safety standards \u2013 and to do so within the shortest possible plant downtime.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Solution<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Several SPIE ESCAD Austria experts worked hand in hand for the project implementation. We first thoroughly examined the existing plant. The details of the as-is assessment<\/strong> and the planned innovations were incorporated into new electrical documentation<\/strong>. This formed the basis for all further preparation steps. <\/p>

    When developing the software solution<\/strong>, we were able to draw on our expertise in the wood industry. In addition, another employee supported us in creating the safety software. In parallel, new SEW drives<\/strong> were installed and the electrical preparations for the weekend changeovers<\/strong> were coordinated. <\/p>

    Finally, we began the first changeover on a Friday evening. This process was repeated over several weekends until the entire plant was operating with the new control system. Afterwards, we focused on performance optimization and acceptance of the safety technology<\/strong>. <\/p>

    The following questions guided our actions throughout the entire process:<\/p>