polab® - from semiautomatic to fully automatic laboratory automation
Laboratory automation is the key to quality control in cement plants and mining, provides excellent ROI, and improves workplace safety. polab® laboratory automation offers a complete portfolio ranging from manual sampling stations to fully automated pneumatic sample transport, from semiautomatic sample preparation to custom-build, fully autonomous robotic laboratory automation solutions.
Decades of laboratory automation experience
More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas and this situation is forecasted to continue. Living spaces will therefore be at a premium – a situation that can only be solved by affordable and energy-efficient construction using concrete, and by extension, its main component cement.
Today’s cement plant operators rightly demand excellent quality assurance systems and a high degree of automation. Furthermore, challenges in evolving toward a more carbon-conscious business model will only be solved in relying on state-of-the-art laboratory automation and process control systems.
thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions supplies a range of products that include process monitoring, control, regulation and optimisation systems, as well as systems for ensuring consistent product quality. All of these are of consistent modular design and therefore adaptable to individual plant requirements.
polab® laboratory automation offers a complete portfolio ranging from manual sampling stations to fully automated pneumatic sample transport, from semiautomatic sample preparation to custom-build, fully autonomous robotic laboratory automation solutions. polab® laboratory automation systems have been operating in cement plants around the globe for more than 50 years – and our in-house R&D, Software and Process Teams ensure that innovative, high-ROI solutions for all applications are available.
Each process in the laboratory automation system, and all communication of data to machinery in the plant, is supervised and controlled by thyssenkrupp’s proprietary polab® AQCnet software.
Dr. Florian Huthmann, Head of Process & Quotations Laboratory Automation polab®Our polab® product family offers scalable automation solutions fitting all application requirements and plant sizes, from integrated plants to grinding plants, and research labs
polab® is the technology leader in cement laboratory automation
The first robot in a cement plant worked in a polab®-system, polab® first introduced an automated combination of a fine grinding mill and sample press, and polab® pioneered a common sample preparation procedure optimised for Rietveld analyses (quantitative XRD) and XRF. Today thyssenkrupp is launching polabCal, the first automated isothermal calorimeter for rapid assessment of heat release from hydration reactions in the cement industry, and suitable for many other fields beyond cement.
Return on Investment – rapid payback times of less than two years
A recent analysis of cost systems in cement plants confirmed a major financial benefit of laboratory automation. Accurate control of raw mix preparation, kiln operation, and cement production can in many cases achieve payback times of less than one or two years. We encourage you to get in contact with us should you be interested in more information.
Scalable, customer-oriented, and adapted to local requirements
The modular setup of polab® components offers scaled solutions ranging from semimanual systems to fully automated systems with minimum human intervention and maintenance. All process steps between semimanual and automated systems are engineered and adapted to local requirements and skills. Our modular system allows for incremental upgrades, incorporating already existing systems.
Raw mix, blending bed, and cement controllers
Adaptive mix control is the superior solution for consistent raw mix preparation. Our state-of-the-art polab® AQCnet server software controls materials flow, materials handling, analysis, and data flow back into the plant. Analysers of all renowned equipment suppliers can be integrated into the system.
A range of products is available
The products polab® APM, polab® APMplus, polabCal and the fully automated laboratory solutions polab® AMT and polab® Linea offer scalable automation products fitting all application requirements and plant sizes, from integrated plants to grinding plants, and research labs. Numerous installations around the world demonstrate our success in bringing automation into cement plants.