There is a risk that they will have to be adapted or retrofitted at great expense because, for example, they are not able to control different synchronous and asynchronous motor types at the same time. In addition, not every system manufacturer has the necessary electrical engineering experience to supply more complex control concepts ex works. They are therefore often dependent on external suppliers, whose control technology is often unnecessarily overloaded or cost-intensive.

Rihatec Systemlösungen GmbH provides a remedy with its individualized, budget-oriented control systems, which are always adapted to the actual system environment. In this way, the machine later runs at maximum efficiency and there is no need for time-consuming adjustments to the control system. The company does not focus solely on the technology, but takes all site conditions as the basis for project planning. Plant manufacturers from S+W Fördertechnik and Turbo-Mixer, who have been equipping their machines with Rihatec control cabinets for years, are already benefiting from this.

In many places, the image of today's production facilities is characterized by conveyor and processing systems that are designed to relieve employees and make manufacturing processes more efficient. Ideally, in addition to the necessary systems and their components, the manufacturer also supplies the appropriate know-how for the control technology. However, the factory solutions are not always optimally designed for the real, individual requirements of the individual production lines. One reason for this: "Not every plant manufacturer has the necessary experience in terms of electrical engineering and control concepts to implement an optimal and cost-efficient solution in-house," say Philipp and Josef Riffner, Managing Directors of Rihatec Systemlösungen.

"Without incorrect design and necessary retrofitting work, smart planning right from the start can easily save costs by a factor of 10 per process step." If the necessary specialist knowledge or resources for control system design are lacking, the overview between circuit diagrams, flowcharts, wiring lists and the individual components can quickly be lost during development. This is particularly true when motors of all kinds have to be precisely controlled, signals transmitted in real time and individual system components moved smoothly and safely and braked gently.

Although there are numerous providers who supply manufacturers and system users with ready-made control solutions, not all factors are always given equal consideration during the consultation. "If the focus is only on the technology, for example, it can happen that the control system offers all kinds of interfaces or connection options that are included in the price, but are not even necessary," reports Riffner. This is why Rihatec Systemlösungen GmbH not only focuses on the control cabinet technology, but also takes the customer's site conditions, pricing policy, wishes and concerns into account right from the start of the project planning - regardless of whether production is to be automated from scratch or the communication of existing and supplementary systems is to be improved.

Safe and precise processing of stirring stations in hazardous areas

TURBO-Mixer GmbH has been benefiting from this approach for 25 years. The machine manufacturer uses Rihatec control systems in its products for all the industries it supplies - from the automotive industry to the chemical, pharmaceutical and food sectors. "Thanks to this collaboration, we can provide all the operating functions requested by the customer," reports Alexander Hummel, Managing Director of TURBO-Mixer GmbH. "As we manufacture stirring and mixing technology for very different industries, we often receive special requests for control technology designs. That's why it's good that we have a reliable partner who implements our specifications promptly and cost-effectively."

Recently, for example, a pharmaceutical company required seven stand-supported stirring stations for the hazardous area, which had to work together safely and precisely via a central control system. In this environment - high hygiene standards and potentially explosive areas - it is essential that the stirring systems used for processing do not trigger any unwanted movements. Instead of relying on a normal control system with expensive, additional monitoring technology, Rihatec has adapted the control system so that the agitator only runs when it is in a container. "This safety device is monitored simply but reliably using toggle switches mounted on the stand," adds Hummel.

As the containers and viscosities of the media vary, Rihatec equipped the control system with high-quality frequency inverters to ensure a constant stirring result with the help of variable speed adjustment. In this way, the agitator not only runs in the best possible performance range, but the entire process chain also becomes more efficient, as faulty batches or failures are minimized. For ergonomic working, a convenient height adjustment of the lifting stands is integrated, which is carried out via an electric spindle drive.

Efficient partial automation instead of purchasing entire systems

Rihatec control systems have also been standard in project planning at S+W Fördertechnik GmbH since 2018. Previously, the manufacturer of conveyor systems had to purchase automated systems on request instead of equipping its own solutions with the corresponding control technology. "With Rihatec, we are less dependent on control technology suppliers, which means we can design our portfolio accordingly and reduce project planning costs for us and the customer," reports Sascha Schreiner, Managing Director at S+W Fördertechnik.

The partnership has opened up additional potential for the company: The portfolio, which ranges from belt, buckling and multi-strand conveyors to crate changers and layer palletizing systems, can now be combined much more flexibly. If the company receives an inquiry that cannot be covered by a predefined control box from Rihatec, the control engineers provide advice based on the sketches, the project parameters of the subsequent area of application and the customer's specifications, as well as the planned or preferred conveyor variant.

"In addition to our expertise, we are particularly impressed by the high level of understanding of our technology and our requirements. Regardless of whether a user expects a signal for a crate changer at maximum fill level or wants roller conveyors synchronized over 30 metres: thanks to our comprehensive support and reliability, we can handle special requests with a clear conscience, even if it's our first time," says Schreiner. This applies to both national and international orders, as Rihatec handles the control technology after-sales on behalf of S+W. Thanks to the partnership, S+W can offer needs-based control solutions without cost-intensive additional purchases in the form of automated systems for its own conveyor technology. In the long term, this reduces manufacturing costs and avoids unnecessarily complicated control system design.