Mets Fiber monitors and controls production processes with Bosch and Matrox technology

The factory of 'nekoski has a 36 Bosch IP video cameras to control production processes. Monitoring is done from a large video wall that features Matrox Mura IPX and C680 cards.

Mets Fiber, division of the Mets Group, is the world's second largest producer of cellulose pulp and with a view to remaining a market leader, Recently, has opened a bioproduct factory in 'nekoski (Finland). With an annual production capacity of 1,3 millions of tons of pulp, along with other bioproducts such as oil and turpenthine, marks a new era for the forestry industry.

The factory uses state-of-the-art digital automation and monitoring systems for its wood cutting production lines, Washing, Etc. To complement this, Mets Fiber was looking for a videowall solution that would allow it to monitor its production operations. Taking the recommendation of one of its main suppliers, Andritz Oy, Mets Fiber contacted the local system integrator, Elkome Systems, for the installation of this display media that opted for the technology of Matrox Graphics to carry out the project.

Mets Fiber knew that investing in a great video wall was the best decision, as it would enable control room operators to function effectively and improve the team's collaborative efforts by enabling large amounts of crucial information to be visualized at the same time.

In every shift, two operators continuously control high-speed line operations where wood is cut into smaller chunks. To control this process, the factory has 36 Bosch IP video cameras that are permanently focused on record-cutting operations. These are fed on a video server from the same manufacturer.

Operators have the ability to switch to any of the inputs of the 36 Cameras, that should be shown on the video wall. This solution is key to factory operations, as it allows control of the process through continuous monitoring. Without this surveillance, the production line could not work.

The factory-installed video wall measures 6,5 meters long, is designed in a 12×1 and offers multichannel capture capabilities.

Hosted on a single 4U videowall controller Advantech there are three Matrox Mura IPX cards that can capture up to four 4K inputs and encode/decode multiple 4K streams.

Mura IPX cards capture video server outputs from Bosch and automation systems, through four and six entries respectively, all in Full HD resolution (1.920×1.080p60). On the same system there are two Matrox C680 graphics cards that power the 12 swivel screens at 1080p60, where you see multiple video sources simultaneously.

Initial configuration and other administrative tasks are performed with Matrox MuraControl software. For day-to-day operations, you use an easy-to-use program, which has been customized by Elkome for Mets Fiber, and containing custom configurations.

Part of the video wall is also dedicated to displaying surveillance alarms 24/7 production control systems.

Alarms are typically triggered when the received control system values are not within the expected value thresholds (For example, the temperature is too high or too low). If it goes off, operators can see a complete picture of the problem and take appropriate action promptly, even stop the process if necessary. Surveillance operators can also share the screen with other decision makers.

This large video wall plays a key role in the operations of Mets Fibre's 'nekoski' plant. Enables centralized monitoring 24/7 cutting operations, providing a safer and more productive environment, by allowing operators to make timely and well-informed decisions. Among the initiatives planned by this Finnish factory is to establish a second redundant server.

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