Explain to us what VPA GmbH specializes in and what tasks VPA takes over within ASCO?
VPA GmbH is specialized in automation and software for SPS (programmable logic controllers). Our main customers are in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage industry. The fields of activity which we will take over within ASCO are the introduction of the latest technologies into the products (Industry 4.0 and IIoT), software maintenance and expansion of existing plants, development of new plants with the latest technology, modernization of older plants with new technology (retrofit) and many more. The digitalization of production and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) make it possible to link up physical and virtual objects with each other in order to simplify processes - also an exciting topic for dry ice production technology.
What specific goals/projects have you set yourself for the year 2020?
Above all, we would like to integrate ourselves into ASCO and get to know the project processes better. We have more specific goals for the dry ice production centres P28i, P75i and BP420i, which we will modernise with IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things). In addition, we will create a cloud platform for an overview of all integrated plants. From this we will be able to draw evaluations and analyses. Thanks to state-of-the-art communication technology, ASCO will in future offer a wide range of services for dry ice plants for customers in the areas of remote access, remote data and remote management.
Which automation project are you particularly proud of, what were the challenges?
I am particularly proud of the plant at the Grub cheese dairy in Appenzell Ausserrhoden (CH), where we replaced an old system with a new one (retrofit). The challenge was to plan and implement a completely new plant right from the start.
Which experiences attracts you the most in the new "ASCO environment”?
The company ASCO is following the topic of digitalization and Industry 4.0 more and more. Here we have the opportunity to incorporate our knowledge and experience into the planned projects. We enjoy supporting ASCO in the digitalization process with our knowledge.
Ronny Wyss
Head of Digitalization & Automation