A new, state-of-the-art Da Vinci quality control system (QCS) supplied by Honeywell-Measurex has recently been commissioned at Mondi Springs. The new QCS is for use on the plant's BM6 multilayer board production machine.
Replacing an outdated QCS, the Honeywell-Measurex solution will provide Mondi with high scan speeds and a fast processing ability, together with the latest in gauging technology. This will enable greater insight into their multilayer board production process thereby facilitating improved quality control. Known as the Da Vinci system, the Honeywell-Measurex QCS for Mondi Springs includes six scanners - one wet-end scanner, one size press scanner, a pre-coater scanner and two direct coat weight scanners and a reel scanner.
"We recently replaced our distributed control system (DCS) with a Honeywell Alcont system so in terms of standardisation and the back-up service and support provided by Honeywell it made sense to go the Da Vinci route for our new quality control system," said Danie Brink, Business Manager, Packaging, commenting on the upgrade. "One of the most critical control loops of the new QCS system is on line coating scab control where Carbonate is part of the coating formulation. We firmly believe that the Da Vinci system incorporates the best technology to achieve this. Mondi strives to supply its customers with the right product at the right time and optimal quality control through the new Da Vinci system is integral to achieving this aim," he added.
Da Vinci is Windows NT and Labview- based, providing Mondi with a totally open system. "Our open system design was an important aspect for Mondi, as the new system will also be integrated with other control systems in the plant, including a Honeywell-Measurex Web Inspection System (WIS) and an Alcont DCS system. Once complete, this will be the largest single-site installation of Honeywell-Measurex equipment in Africa," elaborated Garth Sladden, Manager of Honeywell-Measurex for Honeywell Southern Africa.
According to Honeywell, the new Da Vinci system provides a new standard in precision measurement. It offers a 2 mm display resolution at 600 mm/s for improved process visibility and high-resolution profile control performance. The system's 2000 samples/s at 16 bit ADC resolution also ensures improved measurement response. A 10 Mbaud dedicated LAN enhances communication and reliability, whilst facilitating ease of installation. Utilising a dedicated Pentium processor with the open platform independence and connectivity of Windows NT, the Honeywell-Measurex Da Vinci ensures results-focused control solutions.
Explaining further, Sladden said that multilayer board machines are notoriously difficult to control, but that the Honeywell-Measurex technology, combined with high levels of expertise, would ensure optimum control for Mondi Springs. Software integration and system commissioning will be undertaken by Honeywell's UK-based specialist, Graham Shaw, who has recently commissioned a very similar system at Iggesund in the UK. The recently commissioned system is valued at approximately R7 million.
Roy Botha
Honeywell Southern Africa
(011) 805 1201
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