Special points of interest:

• Moisture control
• The new Plan4Feed
• New equipment news
• Integration expanded
• Future plans

AutoPilot4Feed scaleable from the smallest to the largest installations

AutoPilot4Feed and AutoPilot4Flour continue to be improved and expanded. The current version is V6.02. This version further expands and extends the control system ensuring that AutoPilot4Feed and AutoPilot4Flour remain leading the way. AutoPilot4Feed now version V6.02

Microsoft Update. Microsoft is now shipping Windows Vista. We are evaluating running AutoPilot4Feed under Vista and there are still a few issues to resolve before we can recommend it. In the meantime, we remain using Windows XP and Windows Server for larger systems.

Some older AutoPilot4Feed systems were installed with the Microsoft Access database. It has since been found that the Microsoft SQL Server database is much more reliable. This is normally installed with AutoPilot4Feed using the free version called ‘MSDE’, soon to be replaced with SQL Server Express which doubles the storage capacity. For larger systems we still recommend the full version of Microsoft SQL Server database which allows more data storage and supports replication.

If your system still uses Microsoft Access, we recommended an upgrade to SQL Server to give you improved reliability and storage capacity. Please contact us for details.

Accurate moisture control. We have found an excellent new in-line moisture meter. A few years ago we did some tests on a moisture detector but this proved unsatisfactory. The latest detector uses advanced new technology to compensate for density and so can now reliably and accurately measure moisture levels. We have just completed the trials which have proved its accuracy and have moved to the next stage – adding extra moisture to achieve prescribed levels using a new algorithm. Ensuring the correct moisture level will provide huge financial benefits.

Display and graphics improvements. DSL’s graphical displays have always been exceptional and we have improved them further by adding extra functions. When a weigher is in alarm, for example for an out-of-tolerance weighment, the weigher information box turns red making it quick and easy for the operator to see which weigher is in alarm.

In a similar way, you can have slide gates which flash when they are in alarm. This means that it is easy to see which slide gate is in alarm as well as being able to see if it is open, closed or partly closed.

Another new feature is that you can have any of the alarm windows (which hold a list of valid alarms) on the actual mimics. For example, you can have a list of all intake alarms on the actual intake mimic making it easier to see everything at a single glance.

You can now designate materials as ‘GM’ or ‘Organic’ and AutoPilot4Feed’s colour graphics will automatically show a ‘GM’ or ‘Org’ symbol next to the bin / silo. These are also tracked all the way to finished product silos if appropriate. Operators and users find these symbols a useful reminder of the contents of bins and silos.

Wireless PDAs. When we started using PDAs, we had to use some third party software for communications called Appforge. Unfortunately this company went into liquidation and so we have decided to re-write our PDA wireless control to use the latest Microsoft “.Net” methods. The good news is that when complete, AutoPilot4Feed remote software will be able to run on any mobile phone or PDA running Windows Mobile or Pocket PC 2003 or later which has a local Wi-fi connection. As reported in our last newsletter, we have found a rugged PDA from Intermec which will withstand drops onto a solid floor.

Degussa control. We have recently included the control of Degussa ingredients into AutoPilot4Feed . The Degussa panel and wiring are left as they are but re-programmed into AutoPilot4Feed . The Degussa PC becomes redundant. Once converted, the system comes under DSL’s 24 hour support. Also, the operator can see the whole system on the normal AutoPilot4Feed graphics and you have all the advantages of AutoPilot4Feed logging, adjustable tolerances, alarms, overrides and so on.

Improved control and automatic press start. We can speed up weighing for sites where a weigher has a discharge conveyor which is part of the weighed equipment. AutoPilot4Feed will automatically pre-fill the discharge conveyor which reduces the delay when the weigher starts to discharge. Weighers also have a re-jog facility which allows the operator to “retry again”.

Another improvement is to AutoPilot4Feed’s algorithm for calculating the weigher feeder in-flight value adjustment. This was modified especially for difficult ingredients.

The number of secondary feeders has been increased from 3 to 5.

Items can now have a maximum override timer allocated. This can stop operator abuse when items are left in override when not necessary; potentially causing block-ups or spillages.

AutoPilot4Feed has also been expanded and simplified in many areas of configuration. For example, it is now simple to tailor the set-up of a particular PC. A PC in the intake office, for example, can be tailored for that particular role.

There is another straightforward method of improving efficiency on your site. By selecting automatic press run start, a new press run will start at the optimal moment, automatically, without any operator intervention at all. AutoPilot4Feed even re-starts the presses themselves. Of course, there are plenty of checks done to ensure that no mistakes are made and if AutoPilot4Feed senses any problems, an alarm is set to inform the operator to take over.

DSL’s new production planner - Plan4Feed. DSL’s new production planning facility, Plan4Feed, is now complete and has been successfully installed in a number of sites. It gives a fast, clear and very efficient way of planning production. It prevents mistakes and highlights problems before they become a crisis. If you are interested how Plan4Feed can help you then please contact DSL for a copy of our demonstration CD.


The new Plan4Feed

Extra AutoPilot4Feed PCs. Remember it is quick and simple to install AutoPilot4Feed onto any office PC so that everyone can take advantages of all of AutoPilot4Feed’s features.

New Bag Management facility. There is a new “Bag Management” facility where everything to do with ingredient bags can be done in one place. The program looks at historical usage rates to predict when more stock should be ordered. It also lets you log if bags are loaned out, enter details of expected deliveries, transfer stock into bins, view pending orders and much more. A bright colour scheme highlights upcoming stock issues. The program makes it much easier to manage ingredient bag stocks. Please contact DSL for more details or for a demonstration.


New Bag Management facility

New equipment news. Thankfully, failures of PCs are rare these days. However, this is no excuse for not doing regular backups. Because of problems of dust, we no longer supply systems with writable CDs or DVDs but you can now get 16 Gbyte USB memory sticks. These are ideal for backups and are large enough to store a complete system including all data and all programs, whatever the size. For larger sites, we still recommend SQL server replication which keeps the standby PC fully up-to-date to the second.

Thanks to improvements in wireless technology you can now have a small number of remote inputs and outputs operating wirelessly up to 300 meters away. This is especially useful where installing a cable would be difficult or expensive, for example across a road, or for a temporary installation.

Avery weighbridge digital indicators (weight heads) can now be fitted with an Ethernet port and AutoPilot4Feed can communicate to the indicator using this. This speeds up communications and hence can improve accuracy for outloading operations.

Large LED display has 50 mm high characters and is easy for drivers to see

OPTO22 PAMUX inputs / outputs. Many sites already have these cards installed and DSL can upgrade any control system to the latest AutoPilot4Feed whilst retaining these cards, thus minimising cost and downtime. We have recently expanded the control to include analogue PAMUX cards thus saving even more on an upgrade

Integration expanded.AutoPilot4Feed’s integration has been expanded again and it can now be integrated to 12 different “office” computer systems. We are continually expanding the areas of integration making AutoPilot4Feed more efficient and user friendly. Office integration saves double keying and prevents mistakes. Once you have implemented integration you will wonder how you ever managed without it.

DSL’s lower maintenance charges. Because AutoPilot4Feed is a fully user-configurable package, our maintenance charges can be lower than our competitors. AutoPilot4Feed can use the latest broadband internet technology. Using a fast broadband link is free and nearly as fast as sitting in front of your PC. We have also developed AutoPilot4Feed over the years to enable most of all modifications, enhancements and corrections to be performed whilst you are still running. It all adds up to more efficient support. Of course such broadband access is also available to your own staff to enable them to access the system remotely. Systems can be secured using firewalls, virus checking and passwords.

Quotes from our users. You may have seen our advertisements in the feed press recently. Here is another favorite quote :-

“Changing to DSL’s AutoPilot4Feed was the best thing we ever did.”

Tom Rylands—Managing Director—M.E.Waterhouse

The future. We are continuing to develop and expand AutoPilot4Feed to maintain it as “The Best”.
The main areas for development will be more intelligent optimisation, improvements to reliability, automatic emails and profitable moisture control (see section on moisture measurement).

As ever, our development is driven by customer demand so if there is something you would like to see or even if you have some ideas we would love to hear them. We really want to keep AutoPilot4Feed and AutoPilot4Flour in front.

Please may we remind you about our regular training courses for operators, advanced training for maintenance people, Crystal Reports and Asset Master NT. A list of the training dates is on the support and training page of this web site.

Thank you for your time. If you would like further information, please contact:

Matthew Swallow, DSL Systems, Adbolton Hall, Adbolton Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5AS, England
Tel: (+44) (0)115 981 3700
Fax: (+44) (0)115 981 3702
Email: mail@dsl-systems.com

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All information provided on this site is for general guidance only. It does not constitute recommendations, representations or advice and nor is it part of any contract. Our policy is one of continuous improvement and the right is reserved to modify the specifications contained herein without notice. All trade names mentioned in this web site are duly acknowledged.