Position display with IO-Link monitors format adjustment

Details: Released: 21.04.2020; Last updated: 27.09.2023; Hits: 6616

Tubular bags and cartoning machines have to be very flexible due to the changing packaging sizes. The adaptation of the system is done via a so-called Format adjustment performed. Rovema as a specialist in packaging systems, among others in the Food production for a monitored format change. This is done with the help of the electronic position display AP10 from Siko, Specialist in industrial Measurement Technology and Drive Technology, implemented. The digital display has a IO-Link Interface.

Content:

Position display for up to 40 adjustment points
- The path from powder to outer carton
Position values stored in the control
- Fine adjustment involves employees
- Advantages of the IO-Link interface
Presentation of the position indicator AP10

A sensitive product that has to be gently and safely filled into appropriate foil bags and outer packaging is powdery baby food. The packaging logistics used here must be thought out down to the smallest detail. Rovema offers comprehensive turnkey systems for such packaging processes. They range from primary packaging in tubular bags to presentation-friendly secondary packaging for sales to tertiary packaging for transport in food technology.

Position display for up to 40 adjustment points

With the various product variants of tubular bags and cardboard boxes, smooth format adjustment for the different sizes is important. Rovema uses the electronic Position indicator AP10 with IO-Link interface from Siko for monitored and safe format adjustment.

In a turnkey system, like Rovema for packaging Infant formula Has designed children's foods, up to 40 adjustment points can be required to adapt all functions to one variant. Adjustment with mechanical position indicators is too prone to errors or inaccuracies. Before the packaging specialist resorted to the electronic position display from Siko, he was already using similar position displays from the market. But these also required a controller. The solution was cumbersome and expensive.

With the Siko IO-Link position indicator the controller is omitted. In addition, the digital position display can be integrated into the machine control much more easily as IO-Link devices. "IO-Link is a communication standard that can be found in Automationdivision is becoming increasingly prevalent and is already being used increasingly as an interface for sensors, but also for actuators, ”says Ingo Hamel, Head of Innovation R&D at Rovema. “It was therefore natural to think about this for the format adjustment and to ask Siko.

We have been connected through many years of constructive cooperation in the area of mechanical position indicator. " Moritz Mueller, Product Manager Positionline at Siko, was happy to take up the suggestion: “We were also already working with IO-Link and thus developed the AP10 position indicator with IO-Link interface. This digital display can be easily and safely integrated into the machine controls. "

The path from powder to outer carton

The Infant Formula system packs powder in pack sizes of 200 to 800 g. First, the powder is filled into corresponding bags in parallel on two tubular bag machines. Then the feed to a horizontal takes place on two tracks Cartoning machine. Here, one or two bags are placed in a folding box and provided with a measuring spoon before the box is closed. The ready-to-load boxes then go to the machine for final packaging, where they are packed in a transport box. The last station is the customer's palletizing system.

Position values stored in the control

According to the packaging sizes, everyone must 40 adjustment points along the system can be adjusted to the new dimensions. Most of the adjustment points are in the cartoner and final packaging, less so in the flow wrapping machine. For a new format, the associated recipe is saved in the steering selected. The electronic position display receives the new setpoints via the IO-Link interface. They are shown on the backlit display of the digital display. The position indicator LEDs switch to red as soon as the current position is no longer correct.

The operator then mechanically sets all relevant points to the new values. The digital position indicator signals via LED and LCD with arrows the direction to the setpoint. This allows the operator to see where to adjust. If the position and setpoints match, the LED display changes to green with the signal: Position reached. In this way, all red illuminated position indicators are used in order to finally be able to start the new product.

The Importance of Precision Sensors for Motor Feedback Systems

All values are available electronically and are transmitted directly to the position indicator. The adjustment is quick and safe because the feedback from the LEDs is clear. The system can only be restarted when all the relevant position indicators are green.

Fine adjustment involves employees

The digital position indicator is given a certain tolerance range around a nominal value for the setpoints. Within this value the operator can enter a Fine adjustment and the position indicator lights up green. If he leaves the area, the display switches to red. This margin can be advantageous in the case of fluctuations in the packaging in the carton area.

If, for example, temperatures fluctuate with hot glue or if a cardboard box is slightly more grooved, it may make sense to adjust the guides or the contact pressure from a folding tool. Experienced operators would appreciate this fine adjustment possibility. "The tolerance range allows operators to independently assess the situation and scope for action. This makes the processes more efficient and the employee feels involved, ”says Mr. Hamel, describing the advantage of the feature.

Advantages of the IO-Link interface

IO-Link is a communication standard, which is gaining ground internationally. As a standardized international communication protocol, IO-Link is manufacturer-independent. Accordingly, devices and masters can be developed as communication participants. Integration is possible via simple point-to-point connections at the lowest network level. Of the wiringeffort is compared to fieldbusinterfaces very low.

The AP10 position indicator is considered IO-Link devices, each connected to one port IO-Link master is plugged in, which usually comprises 8 ports. The Communication with the control via another high-performance protocol, in this case Sercos III. Ethernet / IP is also frequently used at Rovema.

Why Rovema not consistently for communication e.g. B. Ethernet / IP Moritz Müller explains: “IO-Link is the much cheaper interface. It also places significantly lower wiring requirements. This makes it easy to connect. "Ingo Hamel confirms the simple integration:" We were very impressed that the first start-ups worked right away - with little wiring and with simple parameterization and integration into the control system. "

Parameterization software for IO-Link sensors for the Moneo platform

According to Moritz Müller, the simple one is also Diagnostic function advantageous. Via IO-Link, you can quickly see which device may have an error or which device needs to be optimized. In addition, the position indicators can be exchanged during operation without having to laboriously disconnect an entire network ring. Thanks to the star-shaped Plug-in connection The affected device can simply be unplugged from the IO-Link master and replaced with a new one. The parameterization can be loaded directly into the new device from the IO-Link master and adopted.

Presentation of the position indicator AP10

The digital position display is of course not only suitable for packaging machines. It also makes the format adjustment in Production machines or machine tools such as lathes, drills, milling machines are child's play and reliable.