FEATURE MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY
When implementing fully
automated production lines at its site in Åhus, Sweden, The Absolut Company selected Siemens Digital Industries Software’s Opcenter
for manufacturing operations management (MOM)
An Absolut success for vodkA production
P
roduced in the small Swedish village of Åhus, Absolut Vodka is made from winter wheat harvested in the southern parts of
Sweden with water from its own deep wells. The production method, based on founder L.O. Smith’s from 1879, is a continuous distillation process, with several stages to remove unwanted compounds and impurities. This process must
take place in a meticulously controlled, automated and energy-efficient production loop. Critical to The Absolut Company’s production
processes is Opcenter software for manufacturing operations management (MOM). This is part of the Xcelerator portfolio of integrated solutions and services from Siemens Digital Industries Software. With Opcenter as a base, The Absolut
SICK’S AFS/AFM60S Pro AbSolute enCoder oPenS SIMPle PAth to SAFe ProduCtIvIty
SICK has extended its safe encoder offering with the AFS60S Pro and AFM60S Pro, its first programmable safe absolute encoders, opening a simpler and quicker route to safe productivity in stationery and mobile machinery, together with seamless integration for safe motion control.
The SICK AFS60S Pro (singleturn) and SICK AFM60S Pro (multiturn) are compact,
programmable, high-resolution absolute encoders that deliver functional safety certified up to SIL3/PLe when monitoring the position, speed and rotation direction of drives and axes. When fully-integrated with the SICK FX3-MOC1 safe drive monitor and the SICK Flexi Soft
safety controller, the encoders also support the safe motion functions of drives in accordance with IEC 61800-5-2. They have therefore enabled a convenient new single-source solution from SICK for rapid integration of safe motion control. The encoders enable safe monitoring of machinery drives and a much-simplified solution for
the safe position monitoring of operator access to presses;and are ideal for safe monitoring of the propulsion and steering drives of mobile transport, such as Automated Guided Vehicles. When integrated with a safety laser scanner through the SICK Flexi Soft controller, they enable the vehicle’s protective fields to be adapted to steer around obstacles and avoid collisions. The SICK AFS/AFM60S Pro has been developed for maximum configuration versatility and, with its
SSI and sin/cos interface, it can be easily integrated into a range of different controls. The SICK AFS60S Pro (singleturn) offers a resolution of up to 262,144 steps per revolution (18 bit) and the AFM60S Pro (multiturn) up to 18 bit x 12 bit (262,144 x 4,096), making them easily compatible with most applications.
SICK 1 deSIGn SolutIonS OCTOBER 2021 4
www.sick.co.uk
Company is creating a dynamic platform to transition to digital control and line configuration of the five production lines in the Åhus facilities. This project is the first step in the rollout to the three factories that produce premium beverages for global distribution. The Åhus site produces vodka in all its
forms, including vodka for mixing into ready-made drinks and limited editions. The company uses 125 million glass bottles annually, and buys these from a supplier that uses 49% recycled glass. Currently, production uses more than 85% renewable energy, and
the company’s goal is to be 100% CO2-neutral in the entire value chain by 2030. The Absolut Company understands that
digitalisation is the key to continuing to be at the forefront of a changing industry, and developing into a fully digitalised, cutting-edge company is one of the pillars of the business. “With fully automated production lines and increased regulatory requirements, there will be a need for increased traceability of product data and integration with business systems,” commented Emil Svärdh, senior automation engineer, The Absolut Company. “Like other digital investments, Industry 4.0 is important for keeping pace with developments in the market and the digital disruption that is taking place.” Commenting on the use of Opcenter, Svärdh
said: “The solution fits us perfectly because it has been developed to cover the entire value chain, from receiving incoming materials to distribution of produced goods, including quality control, product planning and scheduling, as well as reporting, trends and advanced analysis.”
AutomAted production The site in Åhus has five fully automatic
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