The traditional brewery Lammsbräu in Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate is a long-term customer of SPANGLER Automation. Within the scope of an extensive retrofit programme, the process of malt kiln was completely equipped with new hardware, the wiring diagram and the software were revised and several plants were connected to the existing control system.

State-of-the-art automated handicraft

For more than 16 years Spangler Automation has been delivering Lammsbräu with hard and software, like for example the automation of the water treatment and fresh water well pumps. In 2021 it was necessary to modernize the process of malt kiln. The kiln drying of malt is a drying process which essentially affects the taste and colour of the beer. To ensure the product characteristics and the quality in future as well, the whole process had to be brought up to date. Spangler used the old documents of the drying plant and conveyor plant as a base and with the help of EPLAN developed a new, digitised wiring diagram that was designed smaller and more clearly arranged.

Spangler has chosen the programming and the user interface of the touch panel in a way that the functionality was increased, and a finer setting of the programmes was enabled.  The brewers’ experience was included in the design of the process flow which allowed a more user-friendly design. In addition to the new control cabinet for the control Siemens S7-1200, on-site control boxes were assembled.  These pushbuttons determined for the manual operation of the engines are available for the staff as alternative to the automatic operation or the touch panel. The extended retrofit makes it possible to connect the drying chamber and the conveyor belts to the control system, which already controls the other plants of the malthouse.

Precise preparation for a quick implementation

The electrical assembly of the control cabinet and the start-up had to be carried out during the yearly maintenance of the building at Lammsbräu, that means within three days. This required detailed planning and exact preparation, from the software to the last wire. Beyond the requirement of start-up, Spangler programmers accompanied the first drying process and took over fine adjustments.
Lammsbräu can now count on a reliable supply of spare parts, higher safety provisions and automated-backed processes. An optimal retrofit package to guarantee the quality of beer appreciated by the customers.

In order to achieve the generally defined goal of phasing out coal and due to the amendment of the sewage sludge regulation, the combustion of sewage sludge instead of coal as a fuel is a good alternative. For this reason, two belt dryers with a yearly capacity of 80.000 tons were installed at a plant of an energy provider for increase of capacity. SPANGLER Automation planned, produced and programmed the automation technology on behalf of HUBER SE Berching.

Comprehensive performance package with tight schedule

„The project was very comprehensive. Besides the two new belt dryers of the size BT 30, the control technology comprised the corresponding air circulation system, the conveyance of the wet and dry sludge as well as the exhaust air treatment “, Anton Höcker, Spangler Project Manager reported. Beyond that, a power station drawing system was implemented so that with every message in the control system it can be recognized which module in which area has caused the message. In addition to the technical scope the building time of only four months was very tight, for everything – from the machine technology to steel structures and cabling to start-up and bus connection.

Continuous surveillance

As main control Spangler used a Siemens PLC S7-1500, which is operated via HMI via the Siemens WinCC. 27 control cabinet fields and six sub-distribution boxes directly at the machines control both dryer lines, including power supply. Spangler experts programmed the control of the dryers in accordance with a functional specification sheet of HUBER SE.

The energy supply of the plant is monitored fully automatically. If one power supply fails, the network is completely switched to the redundantly planned second supply. If both fail, the plant automatically switches to supply via an emergency power generator and thus is permanently available. In addition, the central control system is connected to the existing control system, which already existed prior to the extension, via a bus system. Therefore, the plant can be completely controlled from the remote control room of the energy provider.

The SPANGLER Versiontool is a programme, completely developed in-house, to access quickly and targeted the corresponding project files during and after the creation phase of software projects. A structured filing, a well-arranged status maintenance and a clear version archive have enabled us since then a transparent administration of our projects.

In the beginning was the idea

Versiontool has its origin in the context of the company-owned innovation management. An employee presented a suggestion for improvement for a programme for structuring the filing of software projects. The idea was to remove the breeding ground for potential faults by avoiding overlaps, untransparent archiving or faulty information flows. Based on this, the SPANGLER Versiontool was created.

The programme works like a digital file. This can, similar to its real counterpart, be removed and the included documents can be viewed chronologically. During this time the project is ‘checked out’ for other users, so that no overlaps can occur. The integrated user administration provides a secure handling of sensitive customer data with which administration rights such as read or edit permission are assigned. In case the ‘file’ is open, version history, working steps, persons involved or current status in real time are presented. This saves users from long search histories, avoids additional work and simplifies further working steps. Versiontool is not only limited to files which usually are used for software projects but is also used for universal applications. The administration of wiring diagrams and lists of data points in the creation process of the Spangler control units are only two of many other application possibilities.

Versiontool: in-house and at our customers

For many years we at Spangler have been using exclusively Versiontool for the administration of our projects in process automation and we have continuously improved and extended it over the years. We could convince various customers of the advantages of the programme. Among other things, they implemented it for software management of production machines, bus systems of the building installation and safety engineering.

„What makes our Versiontool stand out against similar products“ says Thomas Zenk, Manager Process Automation and authorised representative at Spangler GmbH, „is, besides the cost-benefit factor, mainly our flexibility. Our programmers can consider customer requirements and can adapt the software individually. In this way we enable the best possible integration in consisting software surroundings or in the corporate networks of our customers.“

In addition to the clearly arranged presentation and the quick acquisition of information, Versiontool allows improvement of quality by efficient and perfectly coordinated work. A significant advantage which we are glad to share with our customers.

Would you like a free live demonstration without obligation?
Please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail: sales@spangler-automation.de

• Which impact does the virtual start-up has on the development costs and development time as well as the project costs?
• How does the real start-up change?
• What are the advantages of a collision detection during simulation?
• Which projects have we already realized?
• THIS is what we can offer you!
• Q&A section for your questions during the presentation

Tuesday 13.04.2021 – 10:00 a.m.

Simply register here: vertrieb@spangler-automation.de

After the registration you will receive your confirmation e-mail with the access data. Registration deadline: 12.04.2021

Soft facts with future decisions

Is the amount of money the key factor when it comes to decisions about investment or are factors which cannot be measured also important? Our colleague Rainer Meier talked about this issue during an online meeting of the federation of the Bavarian metal and electrical industry. The group of leaders of research and development met virtually to discuss the topic “Adaptive Worker Assistance” as well as “Flexibilisation of production”.

The subject was the improvement of production processes in order to improve the value chain and the economic feasibility. The focus was on the issues digitalisation, data-driven processes optimisation as well as automation supported by robots. Such improvement measures, however, always entail huge investment which is an immense obstacle especially for small and medium-sized companies. Our colleague has dealt with the question of costs from a perspective whether there are also non-monetary factors which justify the acquisition of such systems. His approach was based on the fact that with electronical process optimisation risky or difficult tasks are taken over by machines or can be controlled digitally. Thus, the quality of the products is continuously increased and the production process is taking place with less interruptions. Furthermore, experience shows that working at modern and digitalised working places is an incentive and highly motivating for employees.

Whether these arguments are sufficient in order to justify the investment of a digital process optimisation, every enterprise ultimately has to decide on its own. Observing the so-called soft facts was in any case a welcome change of perspective and reason for a lively discussion.

SPANGLER has this demanding certificate as one of five manufacturers in Southern Germany of the currently only 27 partners in Germany.

Modern plants are often enabled by industrial communication networks to communicate and work in a network cluster. Thereby common office network technology (IT world) clearly differ from the technology that is used in control systems in the OT world (Operational technology).

With intensive and regular trainings of employees, SPANGLER has built up important competences in the network technology with Siemens network components.

In the age of IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) the demand on the Industrial Network is increasing with the continuously rising number of devices and their different demands and logs.

Customers and plant operators directly benefit from:

• Professional network concept with choice of optimum hardware
• Increased plant safety through redundancy logs
• Reduced failure risks through network segmentation (VLAN)
• Use of approved standard logs
• Development of a remote maintenance concept considering IT safety regulations
• Clearly defined interface between IT and OT world
• Implementation and connection of the machines to the company’s network
• Diagnosis and Predictive Maintenance in order to reduce standstill times and recognize problems in advance
• Future-proof planning and interpretation of the infrastructure for rising data throughput and extension of the plant

The certification is valid for three years. After that a recertification is required. In this way SPANGLER is further expanding its broad knowledge base in order to continuously produce effective plants of the latest generation.

Our expert Rainer Meier presented our approach regarding digital automation solutions in front of nearly 200 leading Bavarian developers.

“Our appearance at the developers’ conference clearly shows that the subject digitalisation requires our full attention for future solutions,” SPANGLER Managing Director Helmut Graspointner commented the presentation in Munich.

In the subsequent panel discussion our Managing Director Tina Lambert discussed the issue of securing skilled personnel in the region together with Dr Philipp Dehn, Mr Gailler, head of the district authority, presenter Eva Gaupp and IHK Managing Director Dr Helmes.

You can watch the video clip on Neumarkt TV, here is the link to the TV broadcast:

Link TV broadcast Neumarkt/TV Finally Weekend 28.09.2018

located in Neumarkt. The new production was equipped there by means of most modern control technology supplied by SPANGLER. Take a look behind the scenes, here is the link to the video:

SPANGLER – Digitalisation of the dumpling production

It doesn’t matter whether you are a technician, trainee or mini-jobber you will get detailed news about your opportunities in our company. After the tour you can take a look into the future and either be entertained by our exciting framework programme or enjoy food and drinks in comfortable atmosphere.”
Join our Career Night on 25 September 2018 from 5-9pm and play the leading role in our next projects.
We are looking forward to your visit!

(More information will follow soon.)

True to the motto “The customer is king – especially in the evening” the reception took place in the restaurant “König Ludwig an der Messe” in Munich.

District Administrator Willibald Gailler drew the first beer barrel and, as such, symbolically opened up the atmospheric evening with royal flair.

About 120 international guests could feast in a dignified frame, exchange views and playfully enjoy the evening during the kicker tournament.

The SPANGLER team sincerely thanks its guests for the successful evening and looks forward to the fifth reception in 2020.

Thereby, questions like „Are women obliged to perform better than men to achieve a leadership position? Is it more difficult for women to reconcile family and job? And what do you think of the female quota?” were being discussed. The interview is available on our YouTube channel.

Link TV show “Wirtschaftstreff Bayern”

The handing over is traditionally carried out by the Minister President. The number of living bearers is limited to 2000. The order presents the highest award you can receive as entrepreneur in Bavaria

Press release

Helmut Graspointner was one of the key note speakers in front of more than 150 participants at the meeting in Herzogenaurauch this year.

In his presentation he introduced the company SPANGLER and showed the successful way of a medium-sized company with industry 4.0 on the basis of examples.

The presentation of Graspointner in front of the Siemens managers underlines the long cooperation of Siemens and SPANGLER.

Moreover, it shows which importance Siemens attaches to the “innovation driver middle class” (“Innovationsmotor Mittelstand”) in Germay, said Helmut Graspointner to explain the meaning of his performance.

Therefore, SPANGLER produces its products with the highest applicable safety directives and thus provides safety to plant operators.

More information can be found under PL/SIL

At the stand M-98 SPANGLER demonstrates energy management and process control systems. Our experts at the stand are available to answer questions to both topics. Energy efficiency and global digital process control are the keywords which SPANGLER focuses on in this sector.

Our employees are looking forward to your visit on 26 and 27 April 2017 at our stand.

You can find the directions, exhibitor list, presentation times and further information here: http://www.wassertagung.de/allgemeines.html

Your tasks:

• Electrical planning and engineering of plant automation, programming of the control technology and manufacturing of switch and control panels

Your profile:

• School-leaving qualification: Secondary school leaving certificate / Hauptschulabschluss
• Interested in electronics
• Good grades in math, physics and English
• PC skills and precise working

We offer:

• 6-week intensive training with start of the apprenticeship
• Offer of a traineeship abroad
• Own SPANGLER FITNESS PROGRAMME

Send your application to Teresa Wittmann, ausbildung@spangler-automation.de

Click here for the complete EasyPanel publication in the journal “Industrieanzeiger”:

 EasyPanel publication Industrieanzeiger