Back in 2004, the company already equipped its new PM1 paper production machine at the production site in Rudolstadt-Schwarza, Thuringia, with the ABB automation platform System 800xA. Thereby the family-owned enterprise became one of the first companies embarking on the path towards a networked factory.
With the upgrade to System 800xA version 5.1 in September 2015, which replaced the server hardware with a virtual environment, the paper mill took the next step in modernization. And this upgrade was really impressive – with 17 operator stations, the control system in Schwarza is now among the largest in Germany.
Moreover, ten years of operational experience with expansions were incorporated into the system and finally should be transferred to System 800xA version 5.1. This consistent upgrade strategy and the close cooperation between ABB experts and those responsible at the paper manufacturer contributed largely to mastering this challenge.
Automation Sentinel, ABB’s life cycle management and support program, provided valuable system support thus enabling the seamless migration of all control system licenses.