Knürr Optimizes Process Flows at Cognis, Dusseldorf

Knürr installed a new process control console at the beginning of the year at Cognis, the specialty chemicals company in Dusseldorf. The new design control station allows two adjacent production areas to be merged into one optimized organization unit.

The planning for the new control station started back in autumn 2005.
One of the more demanding challenges was to integrate two different generations of process control systems into the new setup, while also complying with all current specifications and guidelines. The available room, which had to be converted into the control station, was checked for optimum surface and space usage early on in the planning phase with the aid of a CAD layout from Knürr, which meant that the generation change could be mastered smoothly and without any construction activity.

Numerous details were taken into consideration at Cognis with the help of elaborate planning.
The computers were installed in the technical pedestal so that the entire work surface could be utilized, thereby optimizing the workstation’s reach range. “Non-operator stations were embedded in the spatial structure (without affecting the operator stations), the short break room and the smokers’ corner were intelligently linked with one another, two 47” monitors were integrated into the furniture concept, and a perforated plate rear panel ensured the dissipation of the thermal power loss in the technical pedestal”, explains Sven Girgensohn, Project Manager at Cognis.

The top priority in a process control station is to ensure the smooth operation of the system with optimum use of resources, and consequently generate additional value creation for the company. This is enabled through constant optimization of a control station's processes. It goes without saying, of course, that numerous components make important contributions in achieving this objective. This project included the participation of a project team from Cognis in cooperation with Knürr's tried, tested and proven workstation experts.

“By measuring the heart rate, a stress indicator, we discovered that plant operators work at a distinctly higher stress level than 30 years ago, and increasingly reach the limits of their human capacities”, explains Stephan Rohn, a graduate psychologist who works together with the industrial psychology department of the Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Chemical Industry in Heidelberg

This is why it is especially important in control consoles that the environment be arranged as ergonomically as possible and that the plant operator be incorporated into the planning, so that their working conditions can be optimally organized.
In addition to ergonomically designed workstations and chairs, this also includes the system’s process software, the room temperature, glare-free room lighting, and the prevention of reflection on monitors, among other factors.
The attendant uses both their work equipment and their work environment to handle their work in the control console.
Cognis is a global specialty chemicals company with leading positions in many of its markets. The company employs approximately 8,000 employees at production and service sites in 30 countries. Cognis was formed in 1999 from the chemical division of Henkel, one of the leading German manufacturers of brand products and consumer goods. Cognis has been owned since November 2001 by private equity funds, which are advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners and SV Life Sciences.
Knürr Technical Furniture has been active for over twenty years in the process automation workplace furniture sector, and constructs, develops and produces process control furniture for its customers. The comprehensive expertise of our qualified workstation experts incorporates every single aspect of ergonomics and modern room planning, as well as all new machinery directives.

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About Knürr
Knürr AG based in Arnstorf, Bavaria, was founded in 1931, and in February 2006 became part of Emerson Network Power, a division of the global technology leader, Emerson, which has an annual turnover of 20 billion dollars, 128,000 employees and 270 production sites around the world.

Knürr’s system solutions in the world of information and network technology and telecommunications soon established the company’s exceptional reputation as one of the leading developers and manufacturers of rack and enclosure platforms. These include systems for the indoor and outdoor area, all relevant active and passive components in the 19-inch construction area, and the thermal and cable management technologies this entails.
With standardized and customized developments, the company supports its customers with innovative technologies and comprehensive knowledge in the completion of its assignments. For more information go to:
www.knuerr.com

About Emerson Network Power
Emerson Network Power is an Emerson Group company (NYSE: EMR) and industry leader with its continuity solutions (Business-Critical Continuity™).The company is recognized as a reliable provider of flexible and dependable solutions that effectively protect the important components of the customer’s infrastructure. On the basis of the biggest global service organization in the industry, Emerson Network Power provides a wide range of innovative power supply, cooling and connection solutions. Added to this are services for the computer, communication, health care and industrial systems areas. Emerson Network Power’s most important product brand names include Liebert, ASCO, Astec and Lorain. You will find more information on Emerson Network Power’s products and corporate solutions at www.gotoemerson.com.

About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR) is based in St. Louis (USA), and as a leading technology and development specialist provides globally innovative customer solutions in the areas of network power supply, process management, industrial automation and thermal management, as well as the corresponding equipment and tools. In the 2006 fiscal year the company generated turnover of US $ 20.1 billion. You will find more information at www.gotoemerson.com.

This release was published on openPR.