Ciments Francais' INDUSTAR Master System: microcomputer control for the cement and related industries

Abstract

The control system installed in 1985, based on a network of IBM PC/AT personal computers, at the Societe des Ciments Francais (SCF) plant in Bussac, France is described. Process operators were provided with state-of-the-art color graphic CRT interfaces and full-range supervisory functions. This system, based on the INDUSTAR integrating software, has been proved to be reliable and powerful and is easily installed, configured, and later modified by local plant process engineers without special computer training. The system is also used for automatic supervisory control of the raw-mix blend and kiln operations using modeling algorithms and artificial intelligence, maintenance guides, and data collection for production cost accounting. Operation of the Bussac system and the others now installed at 16 cement and lime plants proves that INDUSTAR is fully reliable, even in this severe industrial environment, and delivers more performance than most minicomputer-based systems.<>