Rippert Anlagentechnik GmbH und Co. KG has been successful in the market for over 45 years with painting and filter systems, automation as well as industrial fans. Approximately 420 employees design and produce at six European sites for customers from all over the world. Rippert offers complex painting systems as well as standard products and is also the expert that sets standards for air pollution control. In the fan sector, Rippert systems score in terms of energy efficiency, durability and noise control.
Consistent
Consistency was the key issue in the search for a more modern engineering system. "Out of all providers who presented their products, only AUCOTEC with Engineering Base (EB) was able to fulfil a project's requirements from the process engineering flow diagram (P&ID) to control technology", recount Thomas Quante, Head of Instrumentation and Control Engineering (ICE) at Rippert and EB administrator Thomas Möller. From sales via processing and manufacturing to commissioning, all disciplines access the same data model to view or edit engineering information. EB's database and object orientation make it possible. "Different designations of a component in various documents are now as much a thing of the past as time-consuming comparisons of load and field device listings", reports Quante.
Function-oriented
© Rippert Anlagentechnik GmbH & Co. KGThe new work method of function-oriented assembly formation from single functions with underlying circuit components or circuit diagram pages is now a core aspect of the engineering process. This results in reusable standards which minimise errors and coordination work. Thinking in terms of functions requires a different work method, but the change is worth it, explains the EB administrator and key user: "Functional orientation saves a significant amount of time and divides the sub-systems very clearly." Rippert applied the new workflow for the first time to an actual customer project on coating for bathtubs and shower trays: The plant consists of three lines with up to eight booths. Since each booth had the same design, their structure could be easily reflected in EB. Once the first line was completed, the other two lines just needed to be copied. The entire I/O level remained the same for each line, except for the IP addresses of the processors.
Future-proof
Rippert will now gradually adjust the new system to its own specific requirements. "EB still has a lot of potential. Its flexibility is open to further requests and requirements on our part and is thus also future-proof in the longer term. Its consistency is already exceptional now", concludes Thomas Quante.
