Motion Control & Drives


Printing industry automation solutions take centre stage

June 2006 Motion Control & Drives

Complete packages and modular automation solutions for printing machinery will take centre-stage with Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) at the IPEX 2006 in Birmingham, England. With modular software and integrated communication solutions shortening the time-to-market for mechanical equipment manufacturers and therefore offering the user a high level of investment protection, Siemens will present a selection of system and drive solutions for automation in the printing and converting industry.

The Siemens presentation at this year's IPEX trade fair will focus on system packages based on the Sinamics drives family, as well as Motion Control solutions with Profinet, realtime Ethernet.

The Sinamics S120 AC Drive is a converter for high-performance single-axis applications as well as multi-axis applications in the printing industry. The converter is also suitable for retrofit projects for high-performance printing machinery. Thanks to its modular design, the new drive type can be used for multi-axis applications and thus for synchronous and motion control applications.

The Sinamics S120 AC Drive converters are designed for a performance range of up to 250 kW. The control unit is available with Profibus and Profinet interface. Energy efficiency and regenerative capabilities have long been high on the agenda in the printing industry. With 'Smart Infeed' and 'Active Infeed', Siemens (A&D) will present two power recovery concepts for the Sinamics drives family.

The current from regenerative operation of drives is fed back into the network. Depending on the requirements of an application and its environment, either Smart Infeed is used as a standard solution, or Active Infeed is used for especially high plant availability and network quality. For applications that do not require power recovery, Siemens offers a low-cost solution with the 'Basic Infeed' version.

The focus at the trade fair will also be on automation solutions for modular machine concepts as well as software packages with special links for the printing industry. Profinet with IRT is suitable as an integrated communication solution for multi-axis applications, such as in rotary offset printing presses for illustrations and newspapers, as well as in print finishing.

A rotary offset machine for illustrations is modular in design and comprises, for example, four printing groups, drier, folder support and folder. To ensure productivity, more than 30 axes are coordinated. The axes are distributed over seven axis groupings with Simotion D and Sinamics and they communicate via IRT Profinet. As well as realtime communication, Profinet is also used for IT tasks such as operator control and monitoring, and diagnostics. This involves accessing the OPC-XML server that is integrated into Simotion D and provides process-level data and drive data.

For more information contact Keshin Govender, Siemens Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 652 2412, [email protected], www.siemens.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

WEBER-HYDRAULIK modernises warehouse in record time
Motion Control & Drives
WEBER-HYDRAULIK is a leading international specialist in customised hydraulic solutions. After its old buffer warehouse had become outdated and was partially worn out mechanically, the decision was made to completely renovate it.

Read more...
OMC deploys cobots to improve throughput ten times
Motion Control & Drives
OMC, a pioneer in optoelectronics design and manufacture, is investing to introduce innovative cobot technology onto its fibre optic production line.

Read more...
Yaskawa Southern Africa launches laser welding cell
Motion Control & Drives
Yaskawa Southern Africa has partnered with Industrial Manufacturing Systems South Africa to introduce the Megmeet laser welding cell, a breakthrough solution combining precision robotics with cutting-edge laser technology.

Read more...
Next-gen planetary gearboxes
SEW-EURODRIVE Motion Control & Drives
Leading the way in planetary gear unit innovation, SEW-EURODRIVE is extending its reach across a growing range of industries, delivering the advantages of this powerful technology through locally engineered solutions that ensure faster lead times.

Read more...
Record-breaking dragline relocation
Motion Control & Drives
Draglines are key pieces of equipment in open-pit mining. BHP Mitsubishi Alliance entrusted Mammoet with the relocation of a 3100 ton Marion 8050 dragline from one end of the Peak Downs coal mine in Queensland, Australia to another, a full 27 km away.

Read more...
igus expands 3D printing capabilities
igus Motion Control & Drives
Motion plastics specialist, igus South Africa has introduced a new 3D printing service capable of producing custom parts in two engineering-grade polymers with exceptional strength and without the need for lubrication.

Read more...
Bühler adds new die refurbishment machine
Motion Control & Drives
Bühler has reinforced its commitment to customers in southern Africa with the installation of a new die refurbishment machine at its Johannesburg workshop.

Read more...
Reimagining rotation for a circular and sustainable future
SKF South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Through the design and manufacture of components with sustainability at their core, SKF is reimagining the future of rotation, rolling away from traditional, consumable-based thinking toward a smarter, more sustainable circular approach.”

Read more...
Optimising operational efficiencies through advanced filtration systems
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
Filtration is the only effective defense against wear and tear when contaminants are present. It is therefore critical that effective filter components are correctly used to ensure dependable performance, high efficiency and extended service life of machinery and vehicles.

Read more...
Sustainable energy management
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Utilising its innovative ONE approach technology, Siemens provides complete transparency on resource consumption and offers data-driven optimisation recommendations for sustainable energy management.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved