Recent articles from "PharmaTEC"Newsticker August: Current news from the process industryDrug discovery: Chem Div and Jacobs University enter into strategic partnershipThe molecular fingerprint in the processMaster of the agitator ball millsRecent posts from "Water/Wastewater"Water march!Why fittings manufacturers are discovering sustainabilityCenter for Sustainable Water ResearchFederal government approves funding for Thuringian water research clustersDrug residues in waste water – a risk that is still underestimatedPolluted Chempark waste water is to be discharged into the RhineCurrent articles from "Food & Beverage"Master of the agitator ball millsExpansion of the animal nutrition businessBASF expands world-scale vitamin A formulation facilityZeta and Bühler seal bioprocess partnershipGEA builds complete line for instant coffee production in BrazilRecent posts from "Automation"Level, point level and pressure sensorsReliable sensor technology as a guarantee for paints, plaster and insulation materialsReliable online process analytics - why digital is the better choiceMTP makes it possible - making engineering child's playThe molecular fingerprint in the processRecent posts from "Plant construction"Covestro invests in mechanical recycling in AsiaHy2gen and Technip Energies start feasibility studies for e-fuel projectEvonik increases production capacity for matting agentsMTP makes it possible - making engineering child's playCurrent articles from "Fluid Technology"Compressing hydrogen: making pressure for the energy transitionWhere are the highlights of Achema?We'll take you there!Water march!Why fittings manufacturers are discovering sustainabilityCurrent articles from "Process Engineering"Master of the agitator ball millsExtend the life of hydraulic systemsSpecial blade for mixing solidsCurrent posts from "Security"Digital and networked into the future of hazardous material storageManaging hazardous substances safely: This is how companies stay up to dateLock and start with one systemSimplifies the approval of the entire systemRecent posts from "Specials"Best of Industry Award looks for the most exciting innovations and projectsSIL: What is SIL and Functional Safety?Answers to the most important questions about functional safety and Safety Integrity Level (SIL)Why you only have to remember one radar level sensorRecent posts from "Job & Career"Management changes at Air Products, Rentschler Biopharma, Eastman and Hamilton BonaduzNews from the management of VDMA, Astra Zeneca, Roche and Co.Greater flexibility in your studiesMünster University of Applied Sciences reforms the chemical engineering courseBASF, Cadfem and Gemü reorganize leadershipRecent posts from "Milestones"Make new from old: This is how HDPE recycling worksTriastek and Siemens cooperate on the digital transformation of the pharmaceutical industryRealization of joint innovation projects: Lanxess makes Siemens a Global Alliance PartnerCurrent articles from "On the specialist medium SOLIDS"Master of the agitator ball millsExtend the life of hydraulic systemsIndustrial vacuum cleaner: Dust-free disposal of the vacuumed material in record timeFor centuries, the dosing, transport or processing of bulk materials has almost always been a mechanical process engineering task.Unless AZO is involved.The specialist for intelligent raw material automation from the Neckar-Odenwald district manages to bring formerly purely mechanical process engineering processes into the Industry 4.0 age.The more complicated the handling of a raw material, for example because it flows poorly, is sticky or toxic, the more comfortable AZO feels.Especially when things get difficult, the Osterburken-based raw materials expert feels his honor is at stake – and makes sure that all the raw materials get to the right place in the right amount and at the right time.How does this work?The first thing to mention is the detailed knowledge about raw materials.A wide variety of raw materials have been analyzed and recorded in a database in the well-equipped bulk material laboratory for decades.Particle size distribution and particle shape are characterized, the bulk, tamped and solid density is determined, and flow properties are analyzed in the non-aerated and aerated state.After all, even what appears to be the same raw material can behave completely differently at different production sites under different circumstances (keywords here are air pressure, humidity or temperature fluctuations).At least as important, however, is curiosity and openness to visionary technologies and the absolute use of automation and digitization of as many process steps as possible in the systems, always focused on the needs of the customer.The more than 1,000 employees not only deliver individual systems, but are always looking for new ideas on how raw material automation can be made economical and future-proof.AZO has made a name for itself over the past few decades, especially in intelligent raw material automation and logistics.The portfolio covers all sectors from food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to chemicals and plastics.The range of components and systems is similarly broad.From the various locations, individual components for storing, discharging, screening, conveying, dosing, weighing and automating raw materials - such as pneumatic conveyor systems, screening machines and bulk goods containers - through innovative systems for dispersing, mixing and homogenizing liquid and semi-solid products through to Turnkey solution delivered worldwide.However, AZO does not aim to rest on its laurels.New challenges arise every day from new markets, be it vegan food, an increasing interest in recycling solutions, or electromobility."The dust-free handling of raw materials for battery masses is extremely challenging," says CTO Klaus Kilian, giving an example.Here, not only product protection, but also the safety of the operator must be considered.Added to this are the special properties of the raw material, which places very high demands on it."You have to know the raw materials really well!"Powder handling for 3D printing, additive manufacturing, also creates completely new tasks."Our systems are usually unique, but we also supply identical systems for this industry," says Kilian.In contrast to other systems from the company, the systems for powder handling in 3D printing have to be installed in the tightest of spaces.While in other sectors a scale-up follows given rules, the scale-down required in this sector is extremely complex due to the required system sizes.“Some things just don't work as systems get smaller.This applies above all to the poorly flowing, fine-grained metal powders,” explains Kilian.That said, at least most metal powders are highly toxic, respirable, and reactive.“The handling is really challenging.Operator protection is extremely high, while at the same time the product itself must be protected from environmental influences, as some of it is very reactive.The powder is circulated under explosion protection conditions.This is actually a typical AZO system," states Kilian, if the whole thing weren't housed in the smallest of spaces.The Osterburken-based company is now regarded as an expert in the automatic feeding of 3D printers for additive manufacturing, both for metal powder and plastic powder, for storing, providing, conditioning, transporting and processing a wide variety of powders.The industry appreciates this expertise, which is why AZO has been a cooperation partner for the French metal 3D printing specialist AddUp for several years."Data analysis will play an increasingly important role in order to be able to react even more specifically and quickly." Dieter Huspenina, Chief Sales Officer, AZO (Image: AZO)"Data analytics will play an increasingly important role in the future," CSO Dieter Huspenina is convinced."In the future, we will collect and analyze data at very different levels so that we can react even more specifically and quickly." New aspects of data security are being addressed, for example in terms of protecting the automation systems, as Huspenina points out: "We have Among other things, we decided to address the requirements of IEC 62443, keyword security in the OT area, in addition to DIN EN 27001, which is already being implemented, although this is not yet mandatory for us as a plant manufacturer.The safety of our customers is very important to us.”"We were already digital in many processes before the pandemic, for example with digital worker cockpits in production, but further efforts are necessary," Kilian is convinced."Previously, the skilled workers used to be abroad on the construction site for half a year at the start of assembly and commissioning," Huspenina adds in explanation."The times are over.So we have to think about how to set up the system in such a way that no errors occur during assembly.” This is achieved with modular components, among other things, so that a quasi plug-and-play system construction is possible."But the systems must also be easier to operate," says Huspenina, and the same applies to maintenance: "The goal must be that routine maintenance no longer takes place every two years, but that the system reports itself, when a component threatens to fail.”In view of the shortage of skilled workers, such concepts must be implemented as quickly as possible, says Kilian: "At the moment there are still plant operators with 15 to 20 years of professional experience who can feel or hear the smallest discrepancies in a plant." digital tools are increasingly being used here.Joint projects with research institutions such as the TU Darmstadt, ZML in Heilbronn or the RWTH Aachen already show solutions.One of the flagship projects is Prometheus.A self-regulating support was developed here with the help of artificial intelligence.The current behavior of the pneumatic suction conveyor is measured by sensors and, using machine learning, is brought to an optimum level that is specified for the task at hand.Big data in raw material automationRaw material automation - this is how you keep perspective in the data jungleThe RoLog system has also broken new ground in intralogistics.The RoLog robot compiles small components as part of a recipe, whereby component sizes from 50 g to 5 kg are possible.This replaces the time-consuming manual weighing of small quantities.A safety cell around the robot enables absolute product and operator protection.As a result, even highly critical and harmful raw materials can be dosed without any problems and this with availability 24/7."For us, it's about firmly anchoring the willingness to innovate in every employee." Klaus Kilian, Chief Technology Officer, AZO (Image: AZO)The goal of AZO is a new mind setting on the way to digital transformation.Although raw material automation still includes many mechanical process engineering processes, these must be combined with intelligent digital tools, which in turn benefit our customers,” Huspenina is certain."We set up the virtual AZO world, carried out hackathons and are looking for new solutions with start-ups," reports Kilian, who emphasizes that it is not always the result that counts: "For us, it's more about creating an innovative climate and to promote and firmly anchor the willingness to innovate in every employee.I am confident that this will be reflected in our systems and components to ensure that all raw materials continue to get to the right place, in the right amount and at the right time.”Indispensable for automation: raw material expertiseAnyone who says sustainable must also say digitalCookie Manager Reader Service Terms and Conditions Help Cancellation of Subscription Advertiser Center Media Data Media Data Schüttgut Data Protection Imprint Abo Schüttgut Abo Process AuthorsCopyright © 2022 Vogel Communications GroupThis website is a trademark of Vogel Communications Group.You can find an overview of all products and services at www.vogel.deWuhr/PROCESS;AZO;©BillionPhotos.com, ©valerybrozhinsky - stock.adobe.com;[M]Grim;AZO GmbH & Co. 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