Page 10 - Industrial Technology Extra - 26th May 2020

Pressure Design immediately began developing largest pump was driven by a 95kW inverter and
the programmable logic controller (PLC) and human used for only 14 seconds per cycle, we identified
machine interface (HMI), while engineers removed that it could be turned off for most of the machine
the old, broken control system. By the end of the cycle.”
first week, Beckhoff’s CX5130 embedded PC was To effectively manage this, a specific I/O setup
installed on site and ready for commissioning. was required that would allow the control system to
The CX5130 is a compact embedded PC oversee not only the moulder, but also the pump,
powered by a 1.75 GHz Intel Atom multicore independently and safely. This would require the
processor, with a fanless design and low power system to separate the equipment into groups,
consumption. It can operate in temperatures from - therefore allowing easier segmentation between
25 to +60 degrees Celsius and conforms to EN these logically distinct applications. Pressure Design
60068-2-6 environmental testing standards, which set up an integrated Beckhoff TwinSAFE solution to
makes it an ideal fit for an injection moulding do this.
control system. Crucially, the CX5130 is also This solution involved the use of the EL2911
designed for easy integration into machines. safety EtherCAT terminal, which allows the setup of
The PC also met the new expectations for the TwinSAFE groups, with a safe power supply of 24V
control system. The manufacturer was investing in and up to 10A. The terminal also provides four fail-
modernising their machine’s controls, and therefore safe inputs and integrates a programmable
didn’t want a like-for-like replacement with no TwinSAFE logic, which allows engineers to launch
additional operational advantages. The new system safety applications directly in the terminal. This
had to offer extended functionality and, ideally, terminal connects to five Beckhoff EL2024 digital
provide a means of reducing energy usage. output terminals that, in turn, direct the control
“Early in the project, the customer made the signals safely to the hydraulics.
suggestion to look into saving power by turning off
the pumps when they are not needed,” explains Runtime
James. “The cure time for the 30kg products from With the products now set up and integrated into
the moulder was around 300 seconds. Since the the machine, it was time to begin running the

May 2020 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA! • p10