Coperion goes beyond with enhanced digital platform for processing

German extrusion/compounding machiner company Coperion will present C-Beyond, the next level of its digital platform for machine and plant management at the upcoming K2022 show in Dusseldorf (Hall 14, booth B19). C-Beyond bundles all its digital products and service applications together, with the focus on creating secure digital solutions for the polymer industry and other processing industries that add real value. Amongst the numerous additions and upgrades to the platform, the OEE dashboard (OEE = Overall Equipment Efficiency) is presented at the show for the first time.

C-Beyond uses data from Coperion's extruders, compounding machines, and other systems to provide a comprehensive digital representation of the production currently in progress on a user-friendly interface. On the scalable OEE dashboard, production managers can receive an overview of the ongoing production performance of individual machines or entire plants at any time. This allows, for example, the fast and precise evaluation of plant productivity using OEE analysis.

Deviations in output and quality can easily be detected on the platform and their causes are diagnosed more quickly without complex laboratory tests. C-Beyond provides real-time production process data, allowing managers to make even more informed business decisions. The live dashboards can be customised by the user to best fit their needs.

Also, maintenance concepts based on data analytics, like predictive or condition-based maintenance, can be implemented easily with C-Beyond. This allows Coperion to proactively support their customers in maintenance work and preparation which will reduce effort on the customer side. With the AI-supported data analytics and downtime tracker, unexpected downtime or failures can be prevented, optimising uptime.

Production data is recorded directly in the CSpro and EpcNT control systems on the extruders or via the Service Box CSB 4.0, which can be retrofitted quickly and easily to existing Coperion machines. The CSB 4.0 Service Box is unique in that it connects all the product line systems, not only the actual extruder, to the digital platform. This gives users a complete process overview. C-Beyond has also been developed with cyber security in mind. A special two-tier hardware concept – with one gateway for a VPN connection to the internet and another for internal data acquisition within the machines – protects the transmission of sensitive production data to the C-Beyond online platform against unauthorized access.

The latest version of the CSpro extruder control system offers many smart functions for intelligent diagnosis and monitoring of the extrusion process. The control unit opens up extensive possibilities for remote maintenance by Coperion service engineers.

Coperion's extruders comply with the OPC 40084 standard to exchange data with higher-ranking production control systems, like MES systems. Communications are based on the proven OPC UA (Open Platform Communication Unified Architecture) manufacturer-independent standard for data exchange from automation systems while considering the requirements of the plastics industry. The security of the data at all process stages has been certified by DEKRA according to ISO 27001:2013, which means that production and company data are well protected.

"With C-Beyond, we offer customers a comprehensive and mature digital platform that is consistently tailored to the requirements of the extrusion and compounding sector. We are convinced that C-Beyond will bring significant value to our customers and take the relationship with them to the next level,” explains Markus Schmudde, Head of Research and Development, Compounding & Extrusion, at Coperion.

(PRA)

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