Page 17 - Industrial Terchnology EXTA 22nd March 2021

reel-to-reel, process where a blank reel of
paper is unwound, printed on with different
colours and rewound. Additional stations to
conduct specific processes, such as
lamination, can be added to support different
applications and printing requirements.
The setup required reliable, highly
accurate automation components that work in
sync to deliver effective operations as well as
maximise the overall uptime. While advanced
capabilities were required, JK Machinery
wanted solutions that would be easy to program the printing press. Finally, operators are able to get
and would not require any specialist coding skills. a real-time overview of the process and the system
Jack Round adds: “We were interested in as well as interact with the setup using a GOT2000
conducting these activities in house to streamline HMI.
the project and also provide better support for
customers if they have questions regarding the A refined, competitive printing press
upgrade.” The automation components also occupy a fraction
To address these needs, Mitsubishi Electric of the existing system, offering a reduced footprint
developed a solution that leverages its innovative that can support applications with limited room
FR-A800-R2R VSD for the unrolling and rolling available. Delivering next-level capabilities at a
operations at the start and end of the printing competitive price, the innovative printing press has
process respectively. Thanks to the device’s built-in already gained considerable interest, with
winding and unwinding functions, no coding is purchases from customers all around the world.
required and the customer only needs to input the Jack Round comments: “We are extremely
necessary values for the key process parameters. As satisfied with the collaboration with Mitsubishi
a result, the solution supports JK Machinery’s Electric, which has resulted in a highly effective and
requirements while also speeding up the VSDs’ cost-efficient system. Also, we really appreciated
installation and start-up. the continuous support provided by the technical
In addition to the VSDs, a master MELSERVO- teams throughout the project. We look forward to
J4 servo drives a line shaft that controls the print continuing this collaboration and delivering cutting-
stations, while two slave servo axes from the same edge presses for the printing industry.”
J4 series control the machine’s in-feed and out-feed James McClelland, Account Manager at
nip rollers. These drives are connected to a Mitsubishi Electric, concludes: “We are delighted
compact, high-performance FX5 PLC equipped with with the extremely positive feedback received from
a simple motion module to deliver accuracy and JK Machinery. This project resulted in an advanced
precision while maximising processing speed. printing machine that will help businesses deliver
Furthermore, to ensure reliable and large volumes of high-quality product quickly, giving
deterministic communications, CC-Link IE Field them a competitive edge and improving their
Basic network technology was selected which met capabilities.”
the fast-paced needs of synchronous control within gb3a.mitsubishielectric.com

March 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p17