Rödermark, August 1, 2018. Zeppelin Plant Engineering, from Rödermark (Germany) will present a series of innovations at this year’s IBA (Hall B6, Stand 351) in Munich. The dough production experts will showcase new products and systems in a whole range of different areas. The entire product portfolio, from processing components and automation concepts to complete systems for mixing and kneading, has been overhauled.
“Even though it appears that the whole world is preoccupied with digitization at present, there is still lots of potential for increasing system efficiency using standard technologies,” says Michael Piepenbrock, head of the Food Processing Plants business unit at Zeppelin. “We have been able to develop this potential, both in terms of process and automation, though as leading plant engineers we of course also have the edge over many of our competitors when it comes to digitization.”
A global first in continuous dough production
The CODOS® continuous kneading system has been completely overhauled and now appears in a new design and with a new name: CODOS® NT. Changes include a new drive system, which has considerably improved efficiency while also reducing the size of the system. The new CODOS® NT brings operating costs down, is easier to maintain and also offers impressive, extremely high availability. The new system was unveiled for the first time to an industry audience at the IBA, presented in combination with the revamped DymoMix dough production system.The previous CODOS® model has been installed in over 100 systems.
Future automation concepts
Zeppelin Plant Engineering has pursued a broad-based strategy under the MIRA product name for several years. Trends over the last two years alone have shown that automation of baking industry systems is also undergoing radical change. In future, systems that allow greater scalability and are therefore suitable for small and large facilities, will be required; however, issues such as connectivity and networking must also be addressed. It is clear that the existing automation structure needs to be disrupted. Zeppelin Plant Engineering will demonstrate how this can be done at the IBA.The Prisma Web 3.0 system, which in future will be cloud-enabled and controlled via web servers, will also be presented live, as will the operation of a manual weighing station controlled by gesture.
MIRA – Entering the digital factory
The MIRA Connect product enables components to be automatically identified and then specific information to be accessed on mobile end devices. It delivers precise information about specifications, spare parts lists, commissioning instructions, operation, maintenance and service intervals, and can be fitted into any product, regardless of its manufacturer. With this product, Zeppelin has created a horizontal platform that enables the customer to manage the servicing, maintenance, and repair of its plant at a glance, with the frontend accessible for a technician, and backend information utilized by a service or production manager. Access to HTML-
based machine control systems is also possible. MIRA Connect therefore allows access to all plant parts, and creates transparency and a comprehensive overview for the service technician or machine operator. Main advantage of MIRA Connect: Any component or machine can be retrofitted,
regardless of the manufacturer and without the help of Zeppelin.
New control systems
With MIRA Control, Zeppelin is providing trade fair visitors with a glimpse into the future: This software-based approach, which will take over control of individual components in combination with standard controllers, is already in use in other industries, and has been specially adapted for the baked goods industry. MIRA Control is modular, fully compatible, and IoT-ready, allowing integration of the module into any existing customer system. It is also based on standards such as ISA S 88/ISA 95 and has standardized interfaces such as Profibus and Modbus. One of the main benefits of MIRA Control is that
it is easier to configure individual components. Direct control and monitoring will be possible with MIRA Connect, through a laptop or smartphone for example,enabling all relevant component parameters to be viewed or modified quickly and easily.
Highly efficient feeders and diverters
The feeder and diverter portfolio in the low- and medium-pressure segment has also been fully revamped. The components are now more efficient, lighter, pressure-resistant, and digitally fitted with MIRA Connect as standard, which has a positive effect on running costs, and means less weight and smaller sizes. EHEDG guidelines are in preparation for these components with respect to their hygienic design. Feeders and diverters already in use can be readily replaced by the new generation of components.