Cube Technologies was started in 1990 by group CEO Dirk Swart, under the banner of Distribution Control Systems (DCS). DCS was integrator and technology partner for ORSI Automazione SpA (DCS and MES supplier in Italy) for the Africa region.
In 1999, DCS was incorporated into ORSI Group as ORSI South Africa, reporting to the ORSI head office in Italy. In the same year, following the worldwide acquisition of Hilco Technologies (a leading MES vendor in the USA), the local ORSI company integrated Hilco Technologies (SA) into its operations. In 2001 the ORSI Group worldwide was acquired by Siemens and ORSI South Africa was acquired by the local Siemens organisation.
In 2002, Dirk Swart repurchased the local company from Siemens and Cube Technologies was formed. Working closely with Siemens, Cube Technologies became a Gold System Integrator for Siemens Automation and Drives and as such a Certified Partner for Siemens PCS 7 and a Worldwide Certified Partner for Siemens Manufacturing Execution Systems.
Offices have been established in Brisbane (Australia) and Saudi Arabia to better serve the company’s international client base.
In 2006 Cube Technologies concluded its first foreign direct investment deal, with MIT (Italy) purchasing a 24,9% interest in Cube Technologies. Its sister company in the MIT stable, Hylasoft is a leading integrator of Siemens Simatic-IT MES suite worldwide. 60 MES consultants/project managers are available, with experience in a diverse range of industries, including: pharmaceuticals; chemical; metallurgical; food and beverage and discrete manufacturing.
As a solutions provider, Cube Technologies offers totally integrated automation (TIA) which provides the decisive components needed to optimise companywide processes. Its range of product and systems deliver end-to-end solutions, and comprise the core technology capabilities for the manufacturing and processing industry utilising PLCs, intelligent devices and variable speed drives.
The company offers complete turnkey project management and execution, from project conceptualisation, captured in a detailed User Requirement Specification, through the project planning and resource allocation phases, project management, specification and procurement of materials, detailed design engineering, application engineering and documentation, as well as installation, commissioning, start up, handover and performance benchmarking.
Support and maintenance solutions for running plants are offered in the form of comprehensive maintenance contracts which offer customers peace of mind.
Key projects that Cube Technologies has been instrumental in bringing to fruition include:
1. United Sugar Company of Saudi Arabia – Phase 2 Expansion of entire refinery (2007/8). This project included the automation of all the new plant areas to increase plant production by 60% whilst reducing overall energy usage and downtime. The solution was implemented with a Siemens PCS 7 DCS and included Profibus PA, DP and ASi bus to form a complete digital network for instrumentation (PA/ASi) and electrical equipment (DP). This project was awarded best project for 2009 by Siemens.
2. VWSA – New Polo assembly line: Management Information System (2009/2010). This project’s objective was to provide production and management personnel with realtime data to maximise production. Simatic IT Overall Equipment Effectiveness and Downtime Manager Software were layered above the WinCC scada system and S7-300 PLCs. The Simatic IT software interfaced with the ERP systems for production planning and tracking. Web interfaces were used for management interfaces and reporting.
3. Illovo Sugar – LACSA ion exchange columns batch automation (2010). This project entailed the automation of the columns to maximise throughput and quality. Strict compliance to FDA 21 CFR part 11 standards was required. Siemens PCS 7 with Simatic Batch and ASi bus were the key technologies implemented during this project.
4. HOSAF – SAP Integration with DCS system. The objective was to ensure the SAP ERP had direct access to information within the Simatic IT DCS. Daily production data of planned versus actual was uploaded to SAP and made available via a web interface for management reporting. Material movement and tracking within the process was also a key deliverable. Simatic IT MES software was used for this application.
For more information contact Cube Technologies, +27 (0)31 764 6081, [email protected], www.cubetech.co.za
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