The HEUFT PROFILER - the technical details

The HEUFT PROFILER is the interface between PC and filling line. This interface is set up in the same way as an Internet page in order to prevent the customer having to install additional software at his workstation. The HEUFT PROFILER address is selected via the network connection by means of a so-called web browser (e.g. the Microsoft® Internet Explorer). Different analysis functions can be selected and parameterised on this "web page" via a menu.

The technician can determine which data should be displayed, how long the observation period to be represented should be and how it should be displayed by using the simplest methods. A Gantt diagram is optimal for displaying a short overview of the operating conditions of the different machines during a shift. Other displays list the downtimes and the number of faults.

A scalable graph in waveform is ideal for viewing the caustic soda temperature and the rejection rate if these are required together for a fault analysis. What in the past could only be analysed by commissioning engineers or experienced line operators by the tedious process of observing different machines is now possible without delay on-screen. This retrospective observation opens up possibilities which are not available to the individual as an observer.

The hardware

The HEUFT Gate is the central fine-grain data acquisition system for a filling line. All unprocessed data from a filling line is saved here for a period of three months. This can include the counter data from a check device as well as the temperature of the caustic solution in the washing machine or the status of a jam photocell in the buffer area.

All HEUFT devices with TX and xio operating systems from Version 3 upwards are completely Plug & Play compatible. If the HEUFT Gate Server is connected to a network it will find the attached devices independently and fully integrate the list of available data.

If required the new HEUFT xio, a compact data converter for installation in a control cabinet, can translate analog or digital input signals from the line and send them via an Ethernet connection to the HEUFT Gate Server.

An unproblematic link to current PLC systems is possible with the optional profibus interface. The data collected is saved in an SQL data bank in the HEUFT Gate. The operator is free to determine how often a certain value is extracted per unit of time for each piece of information thereby defining the data density.