All-in-one PLC+HMI replaces CNC on gun drilling machine

Shriram Automation is based in India and integrates custom automation systems across a variety of industries. Using PLCs and other control equipment, the company creates reliable, state-of-the-art systems; Shriram often uses Unitronics all-in-one PLC+HMI controllers for these processes, for easy-to-use and easy-to-program control.

One application that Shriram controlled using Unitronics is a single-axis gun drilling machine. A servo motor powers the drill and drilling is done in several stages at different speeds. Additionally, depending on the material, the drilling speed may need to be changed while drilling. The engineers also wanted the controller to manage related processes including the spindle, coolant and lubrication.

This drill system was originally controlled by a CNC controller, but this controller kept failing due to hardware problems. Unable to get adequate technical support for their CNC controller, Shriram decided to replace it with a Unitronics Vision430 PLC+HMI. This powerful unit has an integrated 4.3-inch colour touchscreen HMI panel and onboard I/O. Shriram was able to recreate all the features of the CNC program using the Vision430, while adding user-friendly HMI screens. According to engineer Sunit Gupte, adding a touch screen HMI "gave operators flexibility doing operations and parameter feeding."

The Vision430 was not only able to match the performance of the CNC controller, but also surpass it. Sunit Gupte explains: "This is the best PLC I have used until now. I have used Unitronics in rubber, steel, pharma, textile, packaging and food applications." The integrated HMI is more user-friendly but, using the advanced PTO function blocks, Shriram was able to develop the program for position control. The Vision430 is programmed using an all-in-one software environment, which reduces development and configuration time.

Follow the link for more information about the Unitronics Vision430 PLC+HMI.