The packaging industry is challenging machine builders and OEMs to incorporate additional automation and motion into their machinery to address flexibility demands. These demands, however, can create complex safety issues in the packaging machinery. But there are ways to increase flexibility and ensure operator safety.
The demand for flexibility means that packaging machines perform fewer batch builds and more multi-pack runs, which mean more packaging variations from the same machine. Thus, product changeovers must be quick to maintain a high level of throughput efficiency.
Automation coupled with motion control delivers the needed flexibility. However, an increase in motion requires a robust safety system to monitor and control the additional moving components.
The motion control products should be able to handle the following:
– synchronize a range of decentralized drives,
– manage the movement of highly dynamic drives,
– work with camshafts for a range of additional functions,
– set up quickly,
– adjust automatically to product variances, handling needs, and robotics
Motion control products should include: PLCs to control the machine, motion control on decentralized drives, individual safety systems tailored to needs, and universal and integrated software and tools.
Motion control components should also unite safety and standards, have safety integrated within the drive, and use real or virtual master axes and tools adapted to suit the task of the packaging machine.
Controls should be platform-independent. Comprehensive motion control functions include: virtual main shaft, cam synchronization, integral “flexible cam,” register control, web tension control, linear and circular interpolation, electronic camshaft and safe motion within the drive.
Pilz offers the PMCprimo drive, which enables an operator to optimize the synchronization of the individual axes and allows the use of multiple Pilz servomotors.
Pilz Automation Safety
www.pilz.us
::Design World::
Filed Under: Factory automation, Machine tool industry + subtractive manufacturing, Packaging, Mechanical, Safety systems + components
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