Filtec Automation (KwaZulu-Natal), an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specialising in filling systems and equipment, has reaffirmed its preference for Festo pneumatic and control components, following its completion of an 18-head liquid filler.
The new filler incorporates 18 cylinder-driven nozzles to control the flow of liquid delivered into containers, while flowmeters measure the volume and communicate this in realtime to the PLC. Once a container has been filled automated gates open to allow the conveyor belt to carry it on to the cappers. The OEM required the controls to show the operational status of the filler and to permit adjustment of variables in the sequence. A simple recipe function was also required to simplify product changeovers.
To fulfil these requirements, Festo supplied two CPX/MPA controllers; one for filler control and the other to control the two cappers. These controllers comprise a combination of PLC and modular pneumatic valve assembly. This integration of PLC and pneumatic valves saves OEMs time and money associated with wiring and installation. The various parameters and machine status are shown on a Festo FED120 touch screen display.
The fact that the filler and capper PLCs communicate via an Ethernet cross-over cable simplified interlocking between the filling and capping stages and meant that on-site installation required only the reconnection of this Ethernet cable.
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