Automation solutions for the converting industry increase efficiency

Phil Black - PII Editor 05/11/2009

122 2 minutes read

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Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies recently presented on how the efficiency of machinery and plant can be increased through mechatronic optimisation, integrated safety concepts and uniform software tools.

The engineering overhead for machinery and plant can be considerably reduced using the software package ‘Converting Toolbox’ from Siemens. Services such as Mechatronic Support provide for more flexibility in machine design, increase cycle rates and reduce changeover times and maintenance costs. Integrated safety solutions reduce wiring costs and increase machine safety. These products and systems help to boost both the efficiency and productivity of an application considerably.

The requirements users place on machinery and plant performance are increasing constantly while, at the same time, new concepts for efficiency and productivity are in demand. This also changes the requirements for automation solutions and the interplay of mechanical system, electronics and software in converting machines which primarily call for exact synchronisation of multi-axis systems as well as highly dynamic winders or high-precision tension control and printmark correction. Siemens has presented solutions for boosting efficiency and productivity in sophisticated narrow-web applications such as label production. Here, high-quality printing at low operating costs is required. In contrast to short-grain printing machines, motives and printing lengths are smaller and the higher resolution requires improved quality of the first print and a higher printing performance of the various print methods that are also simultaneously used.

The basis of the automation solutions for the converting industry is the Simotion motion control system. Printing quality and stability are ensured by the register control system integrated into Simotion with directly connected cameras. Register control is suitable for all printing methods and can be adapted to specific requirements thanks to the flexible programming typical of Simotion. By means of simulation tools, machines and applications can be optimised at the engineering phase.

For the machine manufacturer, this reduces development times, helps to save prototyping costs and shortens the time to market. For the user, these tools curtail the commissioning phase and help to reduce the time and costs spent on training and maintenance.

Siemens offers a finely tuned software package especially for the converting industry. The Converting Toolbox comprises ready-to-apply (RtA) solutions based on the Simotion motion control platform and the Sinamics drive family. Ready-made and tested applications, such as flying saw, automatic splice, winder, laying device, festoon or cross cutter are contained in the Converting Toolbox. The individual functions can also be easily combined with each other, so that a complete converting line can be automated with minimum time and effort. The graphical programming interface allows the toolbox to be easily integrated into specific applications. Industry-specific solutions can be implemented simply thanks to the open, parameterizable open-source blocks.

Furthermore, Siemens has showcased integrated safety solutions for machines and applications. Safety Integrated stands for a finely matched product range, the individual components of which can communicate with each other safely via standard busses. The Safety Integrated components fulfil the safety-related requirements of the corresponding standards and are certified by accredited organisations, such as the BG Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BGIA) and the German Technical Inspectorate (TÜV). Intelligent safety functions, such as Safe Operating Stop, Safe Limited Speed and Safe Speed Monitor are already integrated in the Sinamics drive system featuring the S110 and S120 converters. The Sinamics range of drives covers both applications with single drives as well as multi-axis applications with high torque accuracy and dynamics.

For any further information, please contact 0845 7705070 / www.siemens.co.uk/automation.