New System Will Help Boost Production Capacity and Enhance Production Line Availability
PHOENIX, August 17, 2005 - Honeywell (NYSE:HON) will supply an automation system to Sonoco Alcore's board mill in Karhula, Finland. Honeywell technology will help increase the mill's board machine speed and quality, and enhance the reliability of the production line. The automation upgrade is scheduled for startup in summer 2005. "We wanted to improve the reliability of our production line functions by integrating the board machine line drives' control with the process control system," says Jukka Oinonen, plant maintenance manager. "The integration is allowing us to control production line process functions and line drives using a single system.
In addition to creating a more reliable operational environment, the technology has greatly facilitated the work of our process operators and maintenance personnel." Honeywell will implement the controls of the production line, including machinery and line drive controls, using PMD (process, machinery and drives) controllers, which are based on Experion(tm) Process Knowledge System (PKS) technology. The new controllers will be integrated as part of the plant's existing Alcont system that was supplied for the board machine in the 1990s.The MD controls will be based on a genetic multivariable algorithm, which continually generates a variety of control options and selects the best one with the aid of a predictive process model.
In addition, the order includes application planning and design, electrification, as well as commissioning and start-up. Electrification will be carried out in cooperation with Vaasa Engineering. "The Experion system PMD controller has fundamentally changed production line control strategies," says Timo Saarelainen, director of the Honeywell Center of Excellence, Finland. "Today's PMD technology enables control of entire production lines with a single system. And the PMD controller tools cover a wide variety of advanced control methods and ready-made applications.
Genetic quality control is the latest, extremely interesting example of new control methods that decisively improve process controllability." Global packaging company Sonoco and Ahlstrom Corporation, a leader in high performance fiber solutions have combined their core, tube and coreboard operations.
The formed joint venture, Sonoco-Alcore s.a.r.l, is the largest European producer for cores and tubes. Sonoco-Alcore employs 1800 people and its net sales amounts to approximately EUR 300 million.
Sonoco-Alcore operates plants in 16 countries and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
About Honeywell
Honeywell International is a $26 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, Chicago and Pacific Stock Exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
For additional information, please visit www.honeywell.com . Honeywell Process Solutions is part of Honeywell's Automation and Control Solutions group, a global leader in providing product and service solutions that improve efficiency and profitability, support regulatory compliance, and maintain safe, comfortable environments in homes, buildings and industry.
For more information about Process Solutions, access www.honeywell.com/ps .
