Product category:
Food and drink manufacturing: processing equipment
News Release from: Lenze | Subject: Customised PC with a remote operator panel
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 23 April 2007
Custom PC avoids filling machine
breakdowns
In an environment requiring frequent and thorough cleaning, but also subject to considerable vibration, a filling machine was prone to breakdowns - solved by a PC and remote operator panel.
A customised industrial PC with a remote operator panel has solved a problem of frequent breakdowns on a food filling machine The Combiseptic machine made by GASTI operates in an environment requiring frequent and thorough cleaning, but also subject to considerable vibration
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 1 Apr 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Computer breakdowns in the past were solved by a Lenze control system comprising a panel mounted IPC, remote operator panel and visualisation system.
The Lenze solution has cut downtime and gives improved operator control.
The Combiseptic range of machines is designed to fill and seal products such as fruit juice, yoghurt, desserts and cottage cheese.
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Outputs up to 16,000 cups per hour are possible using stackable cups in plastics, paper and aluminum.
The cups move continuously and the filling and sealing heads are driven to match the cup speed.
This process requires accurate handling to avoid forces on the cups that could cause the contents to spill.
Individually adjustable metering pumps ensure a consistent and accurate dosage for substances with different consistencies.
These processes are controlled by a PLC and IPC which are linked to the machine's servo drives via an Ethernet connection.
The operator panel, a Lenze command station, and the control cabinet mounted IPC are connected to the PLC by means of an Ethernet TCP/IP.
The decision was made to separate the operator panel from the IPC in order to achieve the maximum protection against the harsh environment conditions.
A DVI/USB extender makes it possible to extend the distance between the IPC and the operator panel up to a maximum of 35m without loss of performance.
Lenze operating and monitoring solutions coupled with an operator panel visualisation system provide clear function control and simple trouble shooting for faults that may occur as a result of defective packaging materials, etc.
The resulting high level of automation simplifies the operators work.
For the operator Lenze supplied a robust command station with IP65 protection.
The command station holds the monitor panel, emergency stop and five customised function buttons in a casing that is machined from a solid aluminum block.
This gives high shock resistance and is well suited to the regular cleaning process required in the food and drink industry.
The smart appearance complements that of the machine.
The visualisation software for GASTI machines was developed by Lenze in a partnership with the customer.
The DDI/USB connection allows transmission of image and peripheral data in real time.
As a system supplier of industrial PC products, Lenze not only provides all-in-one panel PC and thin clients but also applied range of customised operating solutions, for example here a robust monitor panel for visualisation and operation with an industrial PC installed in a control cabinet.
Monitors are designed to give a high standard of protection - for the front panel in the case of embedded models and all round protection in the case of command stations - while the industrial PC performs the actual calculations in a protected environment.
High performance, PC based operating solutions can be achieved accordingly even in harsh industrial environments which are prone to problems with vibrations or dust.
"Since employing bespoke operating solutions, we have experienced a great improvement in the service quality of our machines - computer downtimes are no longer a problem," said Kurt Wolf of GASTI. Request a free brochure from Lenze ...
"So we intend to pursue our professional cooperation with Lenze as our partner for operating and monitoring solutions in the future.".
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