Control and Drive Technology back to current issue previous page times, meeting the production requirements of customers. Completely flexible From an innovation point of view, flexibility is of great importance, impacting the design of every aspect of the machine, both in hardware and especially in software. As an example, the PKS IBER60C wrap around box filler has 16 absolute Mitsubishi Electric servomotors with angular planetary gearboxes, which control the process from the separation of entry lines and gathering of products into groups to the filling of the box, folding or the optional fitting of a cover. Thanks to a form type interface on the integrated 10.4” touch screen, the user can control the different machine formats. Adjust- ment in operation is also possible, for example by de-phasing the corresponding axis and memorising the change, without needing to stop or to empty the machine. In the development of the machine, PKS addressed the requirements of a wide range of packaging formats, ranging from 3 x 2 groups of 1 l cartons to ½ pallet trays (800 x 600 mm) with 185 mm flaps. The packaging machine manufacturer can look at repurposing existing machines at a customer’s plant, for example by converting a “tray filler” (tray only) into a “wrap around” so as to be able to pack with it a low tray, high tray, open box, open box with “cover” and “wrap around” box. A heat shrink film and tunnel module can also be included in order to configure a “Combi” version. Staggered grouping on open trays with high production is also possible. 02 The advanced drive control systems help to ensure reliability, flexibility and speed AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES 3/2014
Control and Drive Technology 03 Mr. Hartmut Pütz, President of Mitsubishi Electric’s Factory Automation - European Business Group About Mitsubishi Electric With over 90 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, as well as in products for the energy sector, water and waste water, transportation and building equipment. With around 121.000 employees the company recorded consolidated group sales of 29,5 billion Euro* in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. Sales offices, research & development centres and manufacturing plants are located in over 30 countries. Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., Factory Automation European Business Group (FA-EBG) has its European headquarters in Ratingen near Dusseldorf, Germany. It is a part of Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Japan. The role of FA-EBG is to manage sales, service and support across its network of local branches and distributors throughout the EMEA region. Further Information: eu3a. mitsubishielectric.com, www.mitsubishielectric.com *Exchange rate 120,69 Yen = 1 Euro, Stand 31.3.2013 (Source: Deutsche Bundesbank) Changeover via HMI When we talk about the speed of a machine, what we are looking at is its production capacity. Of course this means a high production speed, but also a minimum changeover time from one product to another. The PKS Alco PAL F Palletiser System consists of a mosaics grouper with eight Mitsubishi Electric servomotors and a handling capacity of 90 packs per minute. The grouper has the capacity to move and to rotate each pack as a function of the layer mosaic, while it accompanies the product with an electronic synchronous coupling system. This is followed by the palletizer which has seven servomotors and can handle up to eight layers per minute. The line production rate can be estimated with these details, but what about the impact of the changeover time for different formats? On many machines, that could be considerable downtime, which impacts on overall productivity. By contrast, on the Spanish manu facturer’s machines, the change is made by the operator from the HMI screen. All in all, the Mitsubishi Electric products help PKS to optimize various tasks, processes and production factors, just like a true jack of all trades. Photographs: Teaser fotolia/ate eu3a.mitsubishielectric.com/fa 04 German base of Mitsubishi Electric in Ratingen near Düsseldorf Company name: Mitsubishi Electric Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan Turnover: 39.3 bn US Dollar (31.3.2014) Employees: ca. 124,000 About AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES 3/2014
