Case Study
Initial situation
The products SOURING and SOUTRAC II are new developments by ANDRITZ Soutec. The increased performance requirements necessitate a redesign of the existing HMI to integrate new technological developments. After evaluating various systems, Alphagate was selected. The challenge in this project was to make a complex system intuitive to operate. Particularly relevant are the many customers and their plant operators who have been using the existing solution for years. As in all UX considerations, the goal is to develop a user-centered solution that appeals to both new and existing users/operators and enables efficient operation. One aspect of good operation is flexibility—being able to operate the machine at any time, even if the plant is extensive. A prerequisite is the openness of the interface for future developments.
UX Design for Existing and New Operators:
A-VIS Server / Client Solution for up to 6 mobile panels
Platform: A-Sphere
Application: A-VIS
Panel: KEBA KeTop T200
Overview of the SOURING system
“With the new visualization project, we have taken an important step in the operation of our machines. What was especially important to us was the necessary flexibility and sustainability, which have been made possible with the solutions from Alphagate and KEBA.”
– Fabian Sutter, Vice President of Technology Development, ANDRITZ Soutec
Implementation
The requirement was clear: Good UX design, mapping the full functionality of the SOURING and SOUTRAC II, reliably and at every necessary point.
UX-Design
The redevelopment of the ANDRITZ Soutec solution primarily focused on the currently relevant information.
- For example, new features include the configuration of the valves and the design of a process flow. The visual representation, along with the use of intuitive drag-and-drop gestures, allows the operator a deeper understanding and overview of the steps planned for the system.
- The design allows for recognition while simultaneously redesigning the UI design.
Software Architecture
Using the A-VIS Server / Client technology, up to 6 mobile panels from Keba and one inspection station are equipped with the A-VIS visualization. Only one A-VIS visualization project is needed to scale across the different client requirements.
Focus on implementation
- Visibility of functions/contents
- Independent user permissions (independent login for each mobile panel)
- Different screen solutions
- Integrationof hardware buttons form Keba panels into A-VIS
- Automatic update of all clients when software changes are made
- Modular HMI structure: each system component is implemented as an A-VIS module
- Modules can be activated/deactivated and operated seprately
- Easy configuration using Soutec-specific A-VIS components: optimized for the workflow of ANDRITZ Soutec
New UX Design and Software Platform A-Sphere
Effective user guidance and reduction of stationary panels with KeTop T200.
