24 | Focus on Germany: Dieffenbacher
NEXT STEP FOR EVORIS
The EVORIS digitalisation platform has received significant updates this year and now
features enhanced integration, functionality and accessibility. Stephen Powney reports from Dieffenbacher’s Eppingen base during WBPI’s Focus on Germany tour
W
hen Dieffenbacher launched its CEBRO smart plant concept back in 2021 at
LIGNA’s digital event, it made waves in the wood-based panel manufacturing world. Four years on, the digitalisation pillar of CEBRO – EVORIS – has received a major update, which Dieffenbacher communicated to customers at this year’s LIGNA fair. EVORIS is the world of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, interfaces, sensors and data analysis to produce smarter, increase production, reduce waste and predict and minimise the impact of production problems. WBPI visited Dieffenbacher’s Eppingen base in Germany to meet with Joshua Locher, EVORIS product manager and Thomas Henties, digital services manager. Both men outlined the development work undertaken by Dieffenbacher to improve the platform. Mr Locher, a software engineer, told us that the three key pillars of the new look EVORIS were: • EVORIS Intelligence • EVORIS Control • EVORIS Connect “A lot has happened,” said Mr Locher. “EVORIS is not just this product that
started in 2021; an entire ecosystem has been created around it now.” The system now features three distinct
yet integrated elements, with EVORIS Control representing a new generation of human machine interface (HMI), launching at this year’s LIGNA to transform the way panel producers access and view data on the panel manufacturing process. EVORIS Intelligence provides the AI
tools and data to generate information, detect anomalies and recommend actions. EVORIS Connect is the new customer service portal, featuring a messaging service and digital spare parts catalogue to give a fully integrated support service. Mr Locher said the new HMI would be used in a first plant project in 2026.
“It is fully web-based so can be accessed
from everywhere within a plant’s secure network, not just the control room but also mobile devices, giving a new way to interact, improving possibilities regarding diagnostics,
improving transparency and delivering real time results.” The HMI concept in the control room is based on multiple 4k monitor displays, which are able to show more information at one time, divided into sections, while also adding a new graphic of the production line and each machine. “This enables the operator to check everything is running smoothly.” The flexibility in the system allows
operators to individually configure the display, depending on operator requirements. The EVORIS Intelligence pillar is where the AI algorithms display production data. “We have added a lot of features since 2021 – there are now over 30 anomaly detection models running simultaneously for different production areas such as the press and gluing. And the number is still increasing. Multiple problems can occur at the same time on a production line, so we changed the concept from one big anomaly detection model to more numerous, specified ones.” A simple traffic light indicator shows what the situation is on each production element, with red obviously warranting immediate attention. In EVORISControl, control settings and anomaly information can be viewed immediately in one combined overview, with a deeper dive only a few clicks away. Mr Locher said the latest updates and
integration represented the “reality” of Industrie 4.0. “You can access all applications, all information of the entire EVORIS system within the HMI. “One of the most important decisions was
to build this knowledge in-house and this deviates us from our competitors.” About 16 software engineers work at Dieffenbacher just on EVORIS Intelligence. “This is one of our biggest advantages.
We can combine knowledge from software, automation, from the machines, our service department and R&D. We have personnel in-house who know how a wood-based panels needs to be produced - we need this interaction between departments.” Another new element is the native
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integration of visualization for the standard measuring systems, which are used in Dieffenbacher plants, into EVORIS Control. Thomas Henties added that messages like warnings and alarms from the control system are also available within the Intelligence context allowing the operators to use the smart applications e.g., the Curve Analysis app for problem identification. “Whenever any kind of error happens on the line, there is guidance provided for the operator to quickly solve the problem.” This new Recommendation system, adds
Mr Locher, can show if the internal bond is too low – analysing it and comparing it with the ideal production level. “Therefore, we can calculate deviation.” The system can recommend immediate
action to stabilise production, such as decreasing the speed of the press or increasing the glue dosing factor, while the press pressure system can also be adjusted. As the system shows what is happening, operators can investigate further for blockages for example. Mr Henties said transparency for the
operator was key. “Production is complex, so we want the
operator to be able to look and see what is going on. The AI algorithms are more specific and powerful, but the way we display these results is more digestible for the user.” A further step will be to record and analyse
what steps the operator takes, comparing production on one date with another. With such advantaged features and data analytics it’s obvious to ask how much money EVORIS could potentially save wood-based panels production lines. “We know from customers that use
EVORIS, that they can save between €1-2m [per line annually], depending on customer specifics,” added Mr Locher. “You can save glue, improve your products, and save a lot of money fast.” EVORIS is shipped standard with every new plant supplied.
EVORIS CONNECT
Thomas Henties described another new major pillar of the EVORIS update – EVORIS
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