Page 8 - Industrial Technology January 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Upgrade delivers

faster changeovers

Igus initiates first
FOLLOWING A CUSTOMER REQUEST TO TRIAL AN RF WIRELESS
ELECTRONIC POSITION INDICATOR SYSTEM, MACHINE AND recycling programme
PRODUCTION LINE MANUFACTURER WESTROCK LINKX HAS NOW
ADOPTED THE SYSTEM AS A STANDARD OPTION ACROSS ITS RANGE for energy chains

estRock Linkx Systems manufacture hat happens when a plastic energy
machines and integrated lines for shelf- chain reaches its maximum service
ready packaging. Solutions include life? Usually, it is disposed of and
WBoxSizer automatic and semi-automatic Wincinerated with other plastic waste.
warehouse dispatch 3PL ecommerce packaging lines. It With its ‘Igus green chainge recycling program’, Igus
also manufactures labour saving semi-automatic re- is now doing something completely new: users can
packaging solutions for contract pack and 3PL companies. send their plastic chains to igus for recycling –
A visit by a customer to the PPMA show introduced irrespective of the manufacturer. They can eliminate
Elesa’s RF wireless electronic position indictor system. disposal costs and also receive a voucher for making
The customer subsequently asked WestRock Linkx to trial purchases from Igus.
this system in order to speed up machine changeovers In the UK, over 5 million tonnes of plastic is
while ensuring reliable, repeatable accuracy. It proved to consumed each year – and yet only a quarter of it is
be a like-for-like fit in place of the position indicators recycled. Even though a long-lasting plastic energy
previously installed. This enabled faster re-sets by use of saves time and takes out much of the possibility of human chain is not comparable with single-use plastics, the
an automated controller via the machine PLC, reducing error. Elesa DD52R-E-RF position indicators are question of how to dispose of it at the end of its
operator time and operator error. networked to the UC-RF control unit by radio connection service life still arises. Normally, the energy chain is
Customer satisfaction was high across a range of thus enabling an easy and quick installation. Current and disposed of together with other plastic waste.
machine installations leading to an end user comment target positions are transmitted by RF to and from the Recycling rarely occurs as the cost of separating the
that “this cost-effective upgrade was added to our control unit, facilitating rapid machine set up. different materials in a product and recycling them to
machines in under two days, and has already made huge The system consequently saves time during the format make usable granulate (grinding) is too high. In most
improvements to product change overs and set-up times.” alignment process. Once the setup profile has been called factories, the usual procedure is therefore to remove
The team at WestRock Linkx was likewise impressed up by the PLC, the control unit UC-RF transmits the target energy chains from their machines and throw them
Tom Whatling, technical sales manager, explained: “The position to each DD52R-E-RF position indicator. The into industrial waste skips for incineration. Igus is
Elesa wireless electronic positioning system enables faster current/target position is displayed on the LCD of the now offering an environmentally friendly alternative.
and more reliable machine setup by use of a wireless DD52R-E-RF. The operator manually sets the position of The aim of the program is to recycle the plastic
connected profile controller, which displays the initial the spindles following the arrow displayed on the LCD from energy chains and reuse it for new products. To
setup values on each of up to 36 electronic position (clockwise/counter-clockwise rotation). Once all the this end, after cleaning them, users can send their old
indicators. spindles are correctly set, the UC-RF control unit out-of-use plastic energy chains to Igus – irrespective
“The system is now a mainstream option on all our communicates to the PLC of the machine that the setup of the chain’s original manufacturer. The plastics are
machines and can be retrofitted to our installations – even has been completed – the system prevents the start of the then sorted, cleaned, shredded and packed. After
to other manufacturer’s machines where we are upgrading machine until the set-up has been completed, for safety this, they can be reused. In return, the customer
a complete facility.” reasons and to prevent loss of production from incorrect receives a voucher amounting to £0.25 per kilogram.
Elesa’s RF electronic positioning system enables settings. Igus CEO Frank Blase said: “This is not something
quicker and more reliable machine set up by use of a The UC-RF controller can network with up to 36 new for us. As the world’s biggest manufacturer of
wireless connected profile controller, which displays the position indicators and is compatible with PLC Interfaces: plastic energy chains, we already recycle 99% of the
initial set up values on each of up to 36 electronic position RS232, RS485, Ethernet/IP, Profibus and Modbus. The plastic waste occurring in production. The ‘chainge’
indicators. The operator can simply choose the DD52R-E-RF (IP67) position indicator 6-digit display program is now the next important step in the
appropriate menu then quickly re-set each spindle to its mode can be selected by the operator. direction of sustainable business operations.”
correct start position and the machine is good to go. This MORE INFORMATION: www.elesa.co.uk MORE INFORMATION: www.igus.co.uk

Baumer announces partnership with MGA Controls

ensing and instrumentation specialist Baumer is Baumer. Jon Sumner, managing director of Baumer UK Describing MGA Controls as a one stop shop, sales
pleased to announce the appointment of MGA said: “This closer alignment between MGA Controls and manager Chris Makin added: “We This agreement with
Controls as a process solutions partner. As a well- Baumer provides us with greater access to MGA Baumer means we can offer an even more comprehensive
Sestablished control and instrumentation customers ensuring a more targeted approach to range of products which ultimately results in optimal
specialist, Lancashire based MGA Controls is delighted to promoting individual products and delivering the most control and automation systems for our customers.
underline this commitment following the agreement with appropriate application solutions.” MORE INFORMATION: www.baumer.com/gb/en

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • January 2020
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