Showing posts with label Automates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Automates. Show all posts

Software Automates Publishing Process

InnoCielo Publisher and its modules make it possible to automate the publishing process, triggered by predefined document lifecycle events or on an ad-hoc basis. BlueCielo ECM Solutions has released InnoCielo Publisher 2008, the latest version of the optional Publisher add-on for the InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise ECM solution. InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise automates the rendering and publishing of engineering content. In the publishing process, engineering documents are rendered into universally readable formats and stored in a target system such as a Windows folder, an FTP site, Microsoft SharePoint, Documentum or InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise itself.

InnoCielo Publisher and its modules make it possible to automate the publishing process, triggered by predefined document lifecycle events or on an ad-hoc basis. InnoCielo Publisher is used with InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise by companies such as Areva TandD Systems, Huntsman, Johnson Controls, Pfizer and Siemens in energy/utilities, manufacturing, oil and gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and other vertical markets. "InnoCielo Publisher is a useful extension to InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise which we currently use to manage about 280,000 technical documents".

"InnoCielo Publisher provides us with a standard approach to the high-volume printing of our project documentation and integrates with our system to produce neutral PDFs for easy distribution", said Alan Painter, Business Manager - Secondary Systems of Areva TandD Systems. "With InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise at the front end, InnoCielo Publisher operates invisibly in the background and sends our publishing requirements to our servers in a wholly automated process, cutting out the need for manual, time-consuming effort".

"InnoCielo Publisher and its additional modules make it much easier for organisations to distribute information to departments outside of Engineering in neutral, accessible file formats". "Approved documents are also available to collaboration partners at the right time through the right medium", adds Martijn Janmaat, BlueCielo's CEO. "With the entire information exchange process being automated, companies will experience benefits such as shorter turnaround times, greater efficiency and better protection of their intellectual property if external parties are involved".

InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise users can access the publishing queue from the PowerUser or OfficeUser desktop clients, allowing publishing jobs to be viewed, restarted and cancelled. The Generic PDF Rendering module can render documents in most popular CAD (AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, MicroStation, SolidWorks), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, TXT, HTML), image (JPG, PNG, RLC, BMP, TIF, PCX) and fax (CAL, GP4, MIL, RAS) formats into the standard Adobe PDF format.

InnoCielo Publisher can be run from all supported Windows operating system environments, including Windows Vista. Tracing, logging and error handling have been enhanced to greatly improve stability and traceability. The optional PDF Merge module allows multiple documents in different source formats and linked by references or properties to be consolidated into a single PDF rendering. This is particularly useful for documents such as assemblies and sets of project documentation.

The optional Developer module allows one to develop and use custom rendering and publishing options. This module, in combination, with the InnoCielo Publisher Standard Edition replaces the InnoCielo Publisher Framework. In addition to the new modules above, standard InnoCielo Publisher modules are available for native rendering from AutoCAD, Inventor and Microsoft Office and for publishing to InnoCielo Meridian Enterprise, the Windows file system and SmartZIP.

Control System Automates Sauna Facilities

A five-star hotel on Germany's Baltic coast is using high-tech industrial controllers from Mitsubishi Electric to run its luxury spa and wellness centre. Ordinary saunas can get by with just a few switches and a three-point temperature controller, but modern spas need sophisticated control systems and operating terminals. At the spa centre of the Yachthafenresidenz Hohe Dune hotel, control systems unobtrusively help to create a stylish atmosphere.

The wellness centre offers guests a wide selection of saunas, steam baths, massage jet showers and an ice machine. Aromas, light effects and music complement the experience. The control systems work unobtrusively in the background to keep all the spa equipment and facilities operating perfectly. The system monitors the fully-automated jacuzzis and hydro-massage jet showers, regulates the humidity and temperature of the various saunas and baths, controls the steam generators, ventilation fans, water and aroma pumps, adjusts the electric heating and hot water supply system and even takes care of providing suitable mood music and lighting.

All the control systems were delivered by GridControl of Ruhpolding, a specialist in software for process visualisation and control in spas and wellness facilities. Frit Grubl explains: 'The key components of the automation system are the PLC (programmable logic controllers) and their control terminals'. 'We source these from Mitsubishi Electric'. 'Normally with spa projects, the team only has four to five weeks to prepare and install the fully configured and equipped switchgear cabinet on the construction site or on a cruise ship'.

'Co-ordination is vital and efficient delivery of equipment from Mitsubishi is a pre-requisite'. 'Before the finished switchgear cabinet is delivered the staff first perform a comprehensive quality test'. 'Every single function is exhaustively tested before an automation system leaves our premises' according to Grubl. 'Any failure - for example a failure at sea on a ship system - could be very expensive for the company'. 'If a big spa system has to shut down even for a single day that can generate damages claims of Eur 20,000 or more'.

'The GridControl engineers chose the modular Melsec System Q as the foundation for the control systems to be installed the Hohe Dune's multifunctional spa'. 'This versatile programmable logic controller (PLC) is the most powerful model in the Mitsubishi Electric range; among other things, it can accommodate up to four different processor modules on a single backplane'.

'This was necessary because of the very large number of inputs and outputs' Grubl said. 'With earlier systems GridControl has tended to use the more modest FX series'. 'The operator of the hotel in Rostock opted for a centralised system with conventional wiring that would allow all functions to be controlled easily from a single location'.

'Nearly 200 outputs had to be connected so that the controller could switch all the spa systems, which range from the heating and steam generators for the saunas and baths to water and aroma pumps, ventilation and lighting systems'. 'Thermometers were installed in 64 locations throughout the complex to measure the temperatures'. 'Other sensors measure the humidity in the saunas and steam baths'.
'Pumps, fans, steam generators and other devices are connected via digital inputs and outputs to the controller, which automatically registers status and error messages'.

Like all Mitsubishi Electric's compact and modular controllers, the System Q PLC is programmed under Microsoft Windows, using one of two software packages: the modern GX IEC Developer or the GX Developer. GridControl chose a control terminal from Mitsubishi Electric's E1000 series for operation and visualisation of the spa systems. The E1071 terminal has a high-resolution TFT (thin film transistor) liquid-crystal display with a diagonal width of 6.5in and a touch screen interface. It is an extremely slim unit with a minimal installation depth.

The control terminal is installed in the reception are of the spa, giving staff direct access to all the system's functions. The multilingual menu intuitively guides the user through the individual levels and components of the spa systems. Photos, graphics and floor plans provide visualisations of the sauna cabins, steam baths and showers, along with all the individual components and their functions.

All messages and alarms can be confirmed on-screen and can also trigger automatic emails, SMS text messages or faxes, which are sent by the controller via a connected modem. For example, if the aroma fluid in a steam bath runs low the controller automatically sends an order to the supplier. The new canister of fluid arrives in time, without any action being required on the part of the hotel staff. Remote access to the controller is equally simple - the staff at GridControl can check the status of the entire system from their desks.