New feature for the "Factory of the Future": Siempelkamp's intelligent steel belt monitoring

Krefeld, October 1st, 2021 – In the "Factory of the Future" digital concepts are needed which design production processes intelligently and efficiently. In a livestreaming session at the LIGNA.Innovation Network on September 29th, Siempelkamp demonstrated which concepts and tools are available for wood-based panel producers. New: the intelligent 24/7 steel belt monitoring, which detects steel belt damage in the early stages and reduces downtimes.

Smart, flexible, individual, efficient and sustainable - that's what the wood-based panel production of tomorrow is supposed to be like. This "Factory of the Future" will not work without a digital, intelligent network that integrates all components of a plant.

Elias Sabaghi, Sales Manager Siempelkamp Logistics & Service GmbH (SLS), and Tobias Aretz, Software Engineer at Siempelkamp Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH, used the LIGNA livestreaming to illustrate the tools and concepts Siempelkamp uses to think ahead to such intelligent production. A central element is the modular control technology system Prod-IQ® which provides reliable key figures in real time across the entire value chain of the wood-based panel plant – from production and quality management to maintenance and repair. The Siempelkamp Condition Monitoring System SCMS also stands for smart data management which enables predictive maintenance, optimizes the scope and timing of maintenance work, and avoids unplanned downtimes.

New: The intelligent 24/7 steel belt monitoring

At LIGNA 2021 Siempelkamp presented another feature for the "Factory of the Future": intelligent steel belt monitoring. Optimally running steel belts are a central prerequisite for the maximum performance, plant efficiency and productivity of a wood-based panel plant. Until now, time-consuming manual inspections were necessary when signs of wear or malfunctions occurred – or changes in the steel belt sometimes remained unnoticed for too long.

In order to tap into a reliable solution for this, Siempelkamp developed a digital monitoring process which tracks the functionality of the steel belt around the clock - essential in order to be able to react immediately if necessary. Damage and material buildup are detected at full production speed. In real time, the steel belt monitoring system provides information on damage and material buildup and shows the exact position, size and time of occurrence.  The advantages for the plant operator: downtimes are reduced, planning reliability and product quality are increased. Detected early, minor damage to the belt can be repaired quickly and easily, even before more extensive damage develops. The spread of build-up and the associated maintenance effort are also significantly reduced with earlier detection. With this concept Siempelkamp provides a new, decisive smart data tool for the self-optimizing wood-based panel plant!