Andritz, Austria, has combined its IoT (Internet of Things) solutions, which are field-proven in many reference plants, with immediate effect under the technology brand "Metris – Industrial IoT Solutions." Metris technologies are the very latest state-of-the-art in the IoT/Industry 4.0 sector and can be fully tailored to individual customer requirements.

Based on extensive and long-term experience as a supplier of technologies and systems for various industries, Andritz offers a broad portfolio of intelligent, digital solutions that provide significant support to customers in achieving their production and corporate goals: 

• Enhancing plant efficiency and profitability
• Optimizing the use of resources 
• Constant and highest product quality
• Avoiding production downtime
• Maximum user-friendliness, for example easy control via smartphone or tablet PC.

Metris is based on three pillars of technology: Smart Sensors, Big Data, and Augmented Reality. In addition to the use of conventional Smart Sensor technologies for analysis of measurements and signals, Andritz offers micro and wireless sensors as well. This can be used to optimize operation of the plants or systems by analyzing specific parameters that are freely selected by the customer. 

In the Big Data sector, Metris products calculate any deviations in production in advance by means of field-proven simulation processes and use them to derive the control actions required. In this way, for example, production downtime can be avoided or the use of consumables reduced.

 

With Augmented Reality applications, information is made visible where it is needed, which is on the spot at the plant itself. The technology focuses on showing the information in context so that the operating personnel gets the best possible support, particularly for complex control actions. 

More than 10 years ago, Andritz developed OPP (Optimization of Process Performance), a system to optimize equipment and plants in the pulp and paper industry, for the pulp and paper business area and has continued to improve it further on the basis of customer experience. The OPP system detects any anomalies and deviations in pulp and paper production at an early stage by analyzing production data. Sheet breaks or other adverse effects on production can thus be predicted at an early stage. 

As a result, countermeasures can be implemented in good time, guaranteeing reliable production and also optimizing operations and the use of resources. Andritz OPP systems are being used successfully all over the world. Large corporations such as Metsä Fibre, Smurfit Kappa, and Fibria have relied on the success of the OPP system for many years. 

Now Andritz has further developed OPP for use in other business areas and is offering solutions for different sectors. The technologies used are adapted to the requirements and needs of each individual customer. 

Gerhard Schiefer, head of Andritz Automation, said that "with Metris, we are combining all of the Andritz Group’s IoT solutions under a single technology brand that stands for innovation and know-how. We offer scalable, multi-branch IoT solutions down to machine level that can be used for new and also existing machines and systems and support our customers substantially in achieving their goals in terms of productivity and efficiency in the best possible way."