Update of the baggage handling system

Conversion of the baggage handling system to Simatic S7 during operation

Athens Airport is the largest infrastructure project in modern Greece and is considered one of the most modern and safest airports in the world. It was inaugurated in March 2001 and passed its biggest test to date during the 2004 Olympic Games. Safety is a top priority for those responsible for the airport. The decision was therefore made to replace the Simatic S5 control system. With the successor system Simatic S7, the airport wants to secure the long-term supply of spare parts and support.

The plan for the changeover was developed together with the airport operators. The entire system was converted in around 20 individual steps over the course of a year. Each section was intensively simulated and tested in advance to minimize downtimes. Only after approval by a simulation team was the real conversion carried out during a 24-hour downtime of the section. Flight operations were not to be impaired under any circumstances.

Unitechnik scope of services:

Conversion of the baggage handling system in 20 steps over a period of 12 months:

17 PLC control systems from S5 to S7

Replacement of the subordinate decentralized bus system from Interbus to Profibus

• approx. 900 drives
• approx. 1000 operating elements
• approx. 1500 sensors

SCADA system:
from Visual Basic (with Mimic Panel) to a WinCC-based client-server system

Additional services:
Camera system (CCTV) for monitoring and remote diagnosis

Large displays on the sorting chutes for flight number display