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Expert Talks at the 2001 Conference for the German Mineral Water Industry

- the VDM visits the HEUFT company

A visit to the HEUFT production plant was on the agenda as part of the 42nd VDM (Verband deutscher Mineralbrunnen ~ Association of German Mineral Water Producers) conference. How do you accommodate 170 visitors during a normal working day in a production and R&D department comprising of 200 employees? What is an audience of experts interested in? Where can they have a drink and a snack? How much has to be ordered?

These were only a few of the issues which occupied the organization team over the days and weeks prior to the visit of 20 November 2001. It was clear to the project group, which also included experienced project engineers, from the beginning that nothing could be left to chance.

This is how a programme came into being, the contents and logistics of which amazed the visitors:
four talks, each lasting twenty minutes, covering various HEUFT subjects were supported by practical demonstrations which lasted just as long. The VDM members learnt how theory could be put into practice with actual HEUFT high-tech solutions. The stream of visitors was divided up into small groups and therefore each participant was able to experience this at first hand.

A highlight was certainly the photograph of a bottle closure taken and electronically standardized by the HEUFT FinalView. Using a new generation of image processors the finish of a bottle (closure, labels etc.) can be checked to the millimetre at up to 20 bottles per second.

What a performance at this speed means was impressively demonstrated during a small test: the participants had to find faults distributed amongst 20 bottles within a second. After the experiment it was clear to all who took part that such a task is only possible with efficient electronics and software. HEUFT uses in-house developments in both these areas.

Remote service, operational data collection and resource management were the keywords for a presentation on the subject "networking". A wide range of ways to communicate is possible with the HEUFT devices thanks to standardized interfaces (Ethernet, DDE, SQL). The advantages of a network were shown with practical demonstrations. Many participants were surprised at how easy this technology could be put together and its potential as regards increasing the efficiency of a bottling plant.

On the way between the individual "stations", which led straight through all the departments, the visitors were able to see a small part of the HEUFT group of companies. This demanded most of the guide´s attention whilst accompanying a group. Project engineering and its consequent application was proof of HEUFT quality: it all went well.

The visitors left the building feeling refreshed rather than tired as could be seen at the next event at the "Vulkan-Brauhaus" (mini brewery) in Mendig. Nearly all the participants went down the 153 steps to the Vulkan-Keller (volcanic cellar formerly used for storing beer) before climbing these again to receive their well-earned evening meal.

At the end of this informative and varied day Bernard Heuft and his employees, who had arranged this interesting afternoon for their guests, received praise from the VDM and the participants.

The visitors were also given the opportunity to take part in intensive seminars on the individual subjects during the first quarter of 2002 on the strength of the large number of enquiries received for further information.

Oh yes, tricks were also used. To be precise at the evening function in Mendig. Whilst moving between the tables a magician produced large numbers of playing cards out of the surprised guests´ jackets and left them to ponder over the length of a piece of string.

All in all: a successful day. Abracadabra!