After the Technology Update, the Post is Really Getting Moving
April 2, 2025
Automation system PSS 4000 acts as the centralized safety component to ensure smooth mail logistics at Austrian Post.
Conversion on the go
In Austrian Post’s largest mail logistics centre, an approximately eight-kilometre-long, fully automated conveyor line was to be equipped with modern control technology. The goal and also the challenge: significantly increased plant availability This has a particularly high priority – in accordance with the “Universal Service Ordinance,” mail items must reach the recipient at the times that the ordinance specifies.
So the conversion work could only be carried out at the weekend, in the tightest time frame. As the general contractor, Pilz was responsible for all conversion and modernization work. Today, the new technology and safety concept managed by the PSS 4000 automation system ensures greater flexibility and safety. What’s more: a conversion with practically no downtime!
Update absolutely safe
The automated conveyor and sorting plant in Vienna-Inzersdorf handles up to 46,000 letters per hour and must function smoothly around the clock. Emergency stop pushbuttons along the entire conveyor line, and at the transfer stations in particular, ensure that the operating personnel can stop the system quickly and intervene if there is a problem. However, the entire plant immediately came to a standstill in the event of an emergency stop, so the aim was to find a practical safety solution that also complied with the standards.
For this reason, the conversion was planned to divide the conveyor into four areas. Today this ensures that only the area directly affected comes to a standstill if a transport container becomes wedged. What’s more, Pilz’s technology update was safe in every respect: in each individual phase of the conversion work, it was possible to fall back on the old system – PSS 3000 – until the newly installed system was working perfectly.
Benefits at a glance
- No production downtime during the conversion phase: system implementation ran practically in parallel with operations
- Simple conversion from PLC controller PSS 3000 to its successor controller from the automation system PSS 4000
- Higher plant availability: now, only the affected area is shut down after an emergency stop
Customer statement
We were already aware of Pilz. We knew that their products work very well and, above all, are top quality. The coordination and precise preparation of all the work steps, the open communication and collaboration with the project partner and with us from maintenance – Pilz simply did all of this very well. Overall, it was tremendous teamwork that ultimately led to success.Simon Kizil, system specialist and project manager in the maintenance team at Austrian Post’s mail logistics centre in Vienna.
About Austrian Post AG
As Austria’s leading logistics and postal service provider, Austrian Post offers services in mail, parcel delivery and direct mail, as well as branch and banking services. It operates 16 mail and logistics centres nationwide with around 28,000 employees. With its extensive network of branches and logistics centres, the logistics and postal service provider serves both private and business customers. The headquarters of Austrian Post is in Vienna; the company became legally independent in 1999.
Pilz’s products in the application
The automation system PSS 4000
The PSS 4000 automation system stands for optimum interaction between hardware and software components, network devices, and real-time Ethernet. Automation system PSS 4000
E-STOP pushbutton PITestop
Pilz’s S-STOP pushbutton is available in different versions – there is a safe solution for man and machine for any plant environment. They are suitable for panel and surface mounting. E-STOP pushbutton PITestop
Controllers
Safe control. Stay on course. Success. Achieve your targets safely, with innovative controllers and I/O systems from Pilz. Their products provide quick, easy, and reliable solutions for you safety and automation tasks. Control systems
Related Story
Find the Right Safety Relay with Pilz
The modular safety relay myPNOZ compliments Pilz’s existing range of safety relays. But when do you use myPNOZ? And when is PNOZsigma the right choice? Learn how to find the right safety relay.
