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Voith Takes Next Step towards Autonomous Paper Mill and Launches Dynamic Ecosystem MillOne

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  • Integration of all systems in the standardised MillOne user interface
  • One intelligent platform for all data
  • Automated and connected workflows for more efficient processes
  • Simplified operation and configuration

As a pioneer in the field of autonomous paper mills, Voith has already been able to position itself strongly in recent years and has set the course for a digitalised and connected future of paper production. Now, with the launch of its ecosystem MillOne, the market-leading full-line supplier is taking the next important step on the way to a completely autonomous paper mill. The new platform combines all relevant systems, optimizes processes in real time, and enables the intelligent connection of all production steps. With MillOne, Voith creates the basis for a more efficient, more sustainable and more economical paper production – and takes another big step towards its future-oriented vision of the autonomous paper mill.

MillOne draws on Voith’s flagship study, Papermaking Vision, and their new UX/UI concept.

The know-how that we contributed is enormous and is based on years and years of development and research. A major challenge was to transfer all the complex systems and data into a clear and easy-to-use platform. To achieve this goal, we talked to many customers.

Ulf Grohmann, Director Product Management Automation at Voith Paper

Another unique feature of the MillOne ecosystem is its modular structure. Implementation can be started independently of the level of automation and the digital solutions already in place. In addition, MillOne can be commissioned immediately.

The experts at Voith Paper have already successfully implemented MillOne for the first customers. One client summed it up, “This is a real game changer. MillOne will permanently alter the way we run our production.”

Another customer said, “We’re really happy with MillOne. I’ve never seen an application that’s so integrated and consistent. The tool combines everything you need: the collection and storage of all operating data, the use of various tools, and the optimal settings.”

All applications in one place
The lack of skilled workers, higher demands on sustainability, and rising production costs: for years, the paper industry has been facing growing challenges. MillOne takes all areas into account and enables holistic, data-driven automation. This makes the solution unique on the market. All digital applications and production data are bundled in one place.

The new environment offers great advantages for operators and allows an entirely new, constructive way of working with data. All information necessary to navigate and organize production is available in real time on a dashboard and can be discussed immediately or used to initiate interventions if needed. This way, a single team of operators can control several machines. At the same time, the system keeps track of everything and draws its own conclusions intelligently. Thanks to these close links between all applications, potential sources for error can be identified early in pre-analyses and eliminated.

“MillOne is much more than just an ordinary platform – it displays the entire digital environment of a paper mill and with that the entire schedule, from start to finish of a shift,” said Ulf Grohmann, Director Product Management Automation at Voith Paper, proudly.

Data-driven operations
MillOne offers unprecedented integration and consistency in terms of data usage and utilization. All relevant operational data is aggregated collectively and evaluated. This helps avoid unplanned downtime and optimises resource consumption. Thanks to continuous synchronisation, data maintenance only needs to be carried out once, meaning that all digital applications can access up-to-date data at any time. This makes data utilisation more efficient, significantly more transparent and more user-friendly.

Higher efficiency and productivity
With the intelligent use of AI, MillOne marks a significant increase in efficiency and productivity in paper production. The options of remote access and productive data evaluation allow for unmanned shifts and relieve the workforce. In addition, MillOne opens up the possibility of data-driven processes and multimodal interaction models that introduce, for example, augmented reality (AR) – a practical tool for collaboration, knowledge transfer, and training. MillOne thus becomes a catalyst for future-oriented, automated production in which man and machine work together perfectly.

Find more information on Voith’s homepage: www.voith.com/apm

About the Voith Group
The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport. Founded in 1867, Voith today has around 22,000 employees, sales of EUR5.2 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and thus is one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

The Group Division Voith Paper is part of the Voith Group. As the full-line supplier to the paper industry, it provides the largest range of technologies, services and products on the market, and offers paper manufacturers integrated solutions from one source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and supports customers in significantly reducing their carbon footprint. With its comprehensive automation products and leading digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art digital technologies to improve the availability and efficiency of their systems in all sections of the production process.