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High temperatures and dusty, dry air – the atmosphere in factory buildings is often a challenge for both people and machines. Moser found a remedy for this which optimizes manufacturing where the materials to be machined are now less stressed by temperature fluctuations. The new Klimatower unit also benefits the workforce. As soon as the temperature in the production facility deviates by a single degree from the target temperature (24 degrees Celsius), the Klimatower kicks in to regulate the facility. To achieve this, several indoor and outdoor sensors measure the temperature: The measuring devices also capture the carbon dioxide concentration of the air. The manufacturer of the Klimatower, Technorobot Welding AG (Technorobot), relies on the flexible and easy to operate Logo! 8 logic module from Siemens to control the system. The combination with the Simatic HMI (Human Machine Interface) KTP700 touchscreen operating panel makes controlling the system particularly user-friendly.

A robust, reliable all-rounder

The Klimatower draws the warm air from the upper reaches of the production facility and returns it, cleaned and cooled, to the lower levels. The control in the tower selects the most efficient and most appropriate cooling process in terms of energy consumption from three different options: The tower either exchanges the heat with cooling ground water or it draws fresh air in from outside through ducts. The third option is for the system to control individual windows in the production facility and open them. "The Logo! control is reliable and widely used. It can be easily programmed to suit our purposes and offers benefits such as a data log or web-based remote access. If our customers have technical problems, we can provide immediate support," explains Remo Locher, Deputy CEO of Technorobot. However, it is equally important that the logic module is compatible with the customer's existing building management system and that both can, for example, achieve the same target temperature.

A complete success

Technorobot always uses a fully-equipped Logo! 8 for each tower it supplies so that complex building systems can also be integrated without any problems. If the initial inputs and outputs on the control are not sufficient, Technorobot simply connects a second control. The concept works. The tower was ready to use in just a few days after delivery. Moser is so enthusiastic about the solution that a tower has even been installed in the basement so that production can commence there as well. "It feels good to know that the ventilation in our facilities is always running at its optimum level. This means we are not wasting any energy and we are contributing to the health of our 19 employees," resumes Konrad Moser, manager of the eponymous family business.