Product category:
Plant Design and Construction
News Release from: Bachelor Controls | Subject: BCI Autopilot
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 21 November 2003
Latest cooking extrusion automation
controls
Latest cooking extrusion automation controls product offers better performance, reliability, technology with reduced costs for expansion
Bachelor Controls introduces BCI Autopilot version 2.0; Latest cooking extrusion automation controls product offers better performance, reliability, technology Bachelor Controls (BCI), developer of the industry's first and most advanced automated cooking extrusion control system available, introduces the latest evolution in cooking extrusion automation
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 11 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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BCI Autopilot v2.0 offers extrusion operators all the power of the original: tight moisture control, operator consistency, advanced diagnostics, and excellent return on investment (ROI), plus increased data management performance and operator flexibility with more scalability, new warm start-up and barrel pre-warm modes, and an easier user-interface with an improved look-and-feel.
BCI has also reduced the overall cost of expanding BCI Autopilot to handle multiple extrusion lines and auxiliary equipment, such as dryers, coolers, coating, and product transfer equipment.
BCI Autopilot is the industry's first automated cooking extrusion control system, built on a flexible platform and capable of automating most brands and models of extruders.
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"The growth and reception of BCI Autopilot in the industry has been tremendous," said President Ray Bachelor.
"Integrating valuable customer feedback with state-of-the-art technology has allowed us to take the most advanced offering in the marketplace and even further improve it".
Utilising Rockwell Software RSView Supervisory Edition and Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE), BCI Autopilot v2.0 offers the latest in control and database technology.
RSView Supervisory Edition offers an integrated, scalable architecture to accommodate the needs of traditional, standalone Human-Machine Interface (HMI)/Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems and highly distributed industrial automation systems.
BCI programmers leverage the MSDE data engine, built on core SQL Server technology, for improved data management performance and reliability.
One of the most popular improvements is the new overview screen.
Designed to serve as the "cockpit", this screen contains information the operator needs to monitor the entire extrusion process.
Operators also enjoy more efficiency with fewer screens to navigate and refined graphics that show more detail.
The barrel "pre-warm" mode allows the operator to begin warming up the barrel during extruder set-up, and the "warm start-up" mode starts the extruder more quickly when the equipment is warm and ready to go.
"We strive for continual improvement," said Bachelor.
"Based on experience and feedback in the field, BCI Autopilot v2.0 is engineered with an updated set of best practices and standardised on new control models.
Customers trust us to provide the leadership necessary to guide them through the risk associated with automating their systems and processes".
BCI Autopilot v2.0 is on display and available for demonstration at the Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley Automation Fair 2003, held November 18-20 at the Midwest Airlines Centre in Milwaukee.
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