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Distributed control cures a headache at Pfizer

Using the Maxiflex distributed process automation controllers from Omniflex, Pfizer have been able to successfully extend their utilities DCS to handle smaller projects well within budget

Using the Maxiflex distributed process automation controllers from Omniflex, Pfizer have been able to successfully extend their utilities DCS to handle smaller projects well within budget. Pfizer Limited is the principal subsidiary in the United Kingdom of Pfizer and is the largest Pharmaceutical Company in the UK. Every month over two million patients in the UK are prescribed a Pfizer medicine.

Pfizer in Sandwich currently use the MaxDNA DCS to control and monitor all of their Utilities operations (approx 6000 I/O).

It has been an excellent system, has been upgraded many times and has given sixteen years of trouble free service.

The only drawback is the cost of the hardware which is prohibitive on some of the smaller projects that Pfizer wanted to do.

Pfizer decided to find a reliable system that would interface with the MaxDNA but at a much reduced cost.

Pfizer finally chose the Maxiflex Process Automation Controller (PAC) system from Omniflex.

Key factors in their choice were the ISaGraf IEC61131 programming language which is the same as the MaxDNA, and the built in serial interface compatible with the MaxDNA system.

Using the Conet industrial LAN, Pfizer were able to extend their distributed control network to areas not previously viable.

Conet is the world's most rugged LAN, allowing reliable industrial strength communications on existing plant wiring up to 10km in a full peer-to-peer configuration.

Capabilities for report by exception, dual redundancy and multiple network segments to suit the plant topology are features of the Conet network.Conet networks can support up to 126 nodes per segment, and can also be interconnected with radio, PSTN and GSM networks to provide an extremely versatile communications infrastructure.

A Maxiflex Node was installed as a gateway to the MaxDNA via a Modbus connection on RS485.

A Conet highway was then established between the gateway and eight Maxiflex P3 nodes around the plant running on existing plant cabling.

These nodes are used to control and monitor some of the plant 's smaller projects.

The information is then transferred seamlessly to the MaxDNA system via the Maxiflex gateway link.

'The system has been running for about ten months now with 100% reliability.

It was found to be easy to programme and interfaced perfectly with the MaxDNA' said Tony Perry, Pfizer 's senior engineer responsible for utilities.

'We found the technical support was second to none and most queries were sorted on the phone in a friendly and helpful manner.

Queries that could not be answered immediately were replied to within a day either via the phone or by email.

'All in all we have found the Omniflex system was just what we were looking for and allowed us to progress the smaller projects well within budget.'

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For further information on this press release please contact sales@omniflex.com