All feature deep dives

iStill NextGen Feature

Automated Cuts Management

Automates heads, hearts, and tails handling with temperature-based control.

Turns cut strategy into repeatable production logic.

Automated cuts from one run to the next.
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Problem this solves

  • Manual cut decisions vary by operator and shift.
  • Cut inconsistency can affect both quality and yield.
  • Scaling production makes manual decision quality harder to maintain.

Fit profile

Best for

  • Teams scaling production while keeping profile consistency.
  • Distilleries standardizing quality control procedures.

Not ideal for

  • Operators who intentionally adjust cuts manually every batch for exploratory R&D.

How it works

Mechanism in practice

  1. Operator defines preferred cut strategy in the control environment.
  2. ACM tracks process behavior and executes cut transitions based on configured logic.
  3. Recipes can be repeated across runs to keep output profile aligned.
  4. Teams review outcomes and refine settings during optimization cycles.

Decision table

Conventional vs NextGen

CriterionConventional setupiStill NextGen
Cut executionManual timing and sensory judgment every run.Configured logic executes cuts automatically.
Scale-up readinessHarder to keep decisions identical across operators.Shared recipe settings support consistency across teams.
Training burdenLonger learning curve for reliable cuts.New operators follow validated automated behavior.

Benefits

  • Improves repeatability of cut boundaries.
  • Reduces operator dependency for routine production runs.
  • Supports faster onboarding with clearer run standards.

Requirements & limits

  • Requires initial recipe setup and validation runs.
  • Teams should keep process logs for continuous optimization.
  • Works best when feed, heat input, and reflux behavior are controlled.

Compatibility

Available in these models

iStill NextGen Hybrid 250LiStill NextGen Hybrid 500LiStill NextGen Hybrid 1000LiStill NextGen Hybrid 2000LiStill NextGen Hybrid 5000L

FAQ

Common questions

Can I override ACM during a run?

Yes. Operators can intervene when needed, then update recipe settings for future runs.

Does ACM reduce product quality control?

No. It makes quality control more consistent by executing a validated strategy repeatedly.

How long does setup take?

Setup depends on recipe complexity, but teams usually validate over a short commissioning cycle.