Communication/Networks

Thanks to the successful implementation of earlier pilot projects, PBG decided to equip all five bottling lines in Las Vegas in accordance with the OPL Standard (Optimized Packaging Line). Here for the first time, all five OPL levels were implemented consistently in one project. Krones, the German OEM for the bottling systems, collaborated with Siemens to implement the OMAC-based standard data interface. The network technology and visualization were implemented with US partners TEGRON and Techno Motion Solutions. More than 15 US subcontractors for the soft drinks industry are using the OPL concept in the context of this project.

Unilever, UK is applying the OPL concept outside the drinks industry for the first time in a pilot project in Leeds, UK, for filling deodorant canisters ("AXE"). The project is being coordinated independently by Siemens UK following OPL training by CC F&B. Unilever expects to put the system into service in October 2008. The customer was very impressed by specification template created by the CC F&B and is now using this for their own projects. Unilever wants to use this plant in future as an in-house reference for the application of standardization concepts in the field of electrotechnology.

Industrial Wireless Communication has become a matter of course in all SIMATIC NET networks. This gives you new opportunities to increase the availability of your existing automation systems. And previously unreachable islands in the automation network can also now be integrated. Decisive advantage: From the design stage to everyday operation, you are more versatile when it comes to increasing your productivity.
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The updated technical brochure "Network solutions for PROFIBUS according to IEC 61158 and EN 50170" gives an overview of all the network components and communications processors for the various host systems which are available for building up a PROFIBUS network.
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"Increased productivity and safety: fast and safe loading of steel coils" is the title of the latest reference flyer from SIMATIC NET. It presents a fully-automated crane control with PROFINET and Industrial WLAN for fast, fail-safe communications at the ArcelorMittal steelworks in Gent, Belgium.
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