The decision for a retrofit, i.e. a partial or full modernisation, needs to be balanced against economic aspects on the one hand and planning risks on the other hand: “How long will a system have to be shut down and what are the consequences for Production, which bottlenecks can occur?”
Based on our long-standing experience we know where the pitfalls are and based on our long-standing experience we can assure you that a well-planned retrofit process will reduce planning risks to a minimum giving to you the planning reliability you need. Provided the following steps are followed…
The STOPA retrofit – the individual steps within the phases:
Phase I
Analysis – consulting – finding a solution
- Customer requirements regarding the system after the retrofit
- Recording the actual situation of the system
- Analysis of the modernisation options
- Recording the technical details
- System review
- Mechanical
- Elektrobauteile
- Steuerung
- Host link >> process optimisation
- Remaining system service life
- Presentation of the retrofit concept
- Comparison against a completely new system
- Cost/benefit analysis
Phase II
Planning – preparation – implementation
- Detailed project planning
- Defining the conversion scenario
- Detailed planning of the time window during which the system shall be converted so as to ensure the shortest possible system downtime
- Assembly and installation
- Commissioning
- Training the staff during “live operation”
Phase III
Spare parts logistics - service - helpdesk
- Ensured spare parts supply
- Lower maintenance costs
- Extension of the maintenance cycle
- Simplified troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting/support through remote maintenance by modem/Internet connection
- Downtime minimisation
- Higher availability