Drives improve bottle handling at SAB

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August 2002 Motion Control & Drives

Following the decision to implement intelligent communication protocol on Line 9 at SAB’s Alrode bottling plant, an upgrade to the existing drive setup was in order. As a result, 15 VLT 2800 frequency converters manufactured and supplied by Danfoss Drives have been installed on the back end of the line between the pasteurising and labelling areas.

SAB automation engineer Jay Mistry explains that transferring the existing conveyor system onto a bus system was a matter of simple line logic: the motivation being to improve bottle handling by minimising bottle breakage and label damage and to reduce maintenance costs in the form of conveyor and chain wear. With DeviceNet the selected protocol, the existing variable speed drives would either have to be reconfigured or replaced. The latter option was the more feasible in terms of time and cost restraints; moreover, the existing equipment was becoming outdated and difficult to service. New cabling for the old devices would also have been prohibitively expensive.

Of the DeviceNet-compatible VSD's available, Danfoss' offering made the most logistical and pricing sense. The VLT 2800 series comprises compact, multipurpose drives that offer high stability and flexibility in low power industrial applications. The series can be operated over an RS485 bus or by the DeviceNet or Profibus DP interface - an interface that is totally integrated and requires no additional space. By way of their space saving design, all 15 of the supplied units could be fitted side-by-side into the same centralised panelling that previously housed only three of the old units.

"While the VLT 2800 offers just the right level of functionality for the application in question, we were also sold on its attractive pricing, which incorporates reduced installation and service costs," explains Mistry. "We were particularly impressed by the fast, trouble-free commissioning and set-up of the equipment, which was handled well within the critical time frame."

A number of user-friendly features facilitated fast installation and service; such as the Quick Menu, which includes all parameters required for commissioning. The VLT 2800 incorporates further advanced features tailored to the low power market. In terms of flexibility, the automatic motor tuning feature measures the motor to ensure optimal match between drive and motor. Energy-saving flexibility also results from the DC bus access that enables load sharing between all drives.

"There has already been a noticeable improvement in bottle handling and significantly reduced downtime on this side of the line," says Mistry. He describes another potential upgrade area of the line as that between the filler and pasteuriser, which has a significant impact on overall bottle handling. "As we are more than satisfied with the performance of the Danfoss equipment already in place, we will certainly consider maintaining a consistency in drive brand in the case of further line upgrades."

For more information: Mick Baugh, Danfoss, 011 803 8390, mbaugh@danfoss.co.za, www.danfoss.co.za

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Motion Control & Drives

Drives improve bottle handling at SAB

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