Max Felchlin AG exports around 55% of its chocolate products, so quality is paramount. The company took delivery of a new cocoa roasting plant in 2012 and, in 2018, moved into an elegant new facility capable of housing all its activities. Felchlin relied on solutions from Siemens to create optimal climate conditions in the elegant timber building. Indoor climate plays an important role, especially in the “Condirama” training centre on the fourth floor. A number of challenges had to be mastered, such as large amounts of glazing, fluctuating staff numbers, several ovens – and the low melting point of chocolate. 

A particular feature of the “change-over” air conditioning system is that the ceiling panels can both cool and heat. Countless cables converge on the control cabinet in the technical room, which is almost five metres long and located in the basement; this also houses the heating, ventilation and large refrigerating plant. The room automation was implemented using two SIMATIC controllers and compact ET 200SP peripheral modules. 
The responsive, modular SIMATIC S7-1500 controller is scalable in its functionality; it can be adapted to complex machines and supports all common communication standards. Visualisation in the Desigo CC building management system is deliberately kept simple for ease of operation by Felchlin employees. The control system displays data relating to the building as well as the error messages of every production plant, prioritised according to urgency.

• SIMATIC S7-1500 
• SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panel 
• Desigo CC (Siemens Smart Infrastructure)