Posted to News on 15th Feb 2010, 10:20
Converting Toolbox speeds development of converting machinery
Siemens Industry is introducing the Converting Toolbox, a set of standardised automation tools for the integration of various machine components that previously had to be performed individually. It simplifies web processing applications and offers greater flexibility for engineers who design and build converting machinery for paper, film, foil and other materials. It is said to be completely scalable and is provided for FREE to qualified machine designers, builders and integrators. The Converting Toolbox enables machine builders to achieve considerably faster time to market by reducing the time required for engineering, programming, commissioning and documentation, as much as 80 per cent in some cases. It offers modular open functions for items such as: Centre winder, Flying splice controls, Rotary knife with print mark correction, Flying saw, Traversing control, Speed set-point cascade and more.
The Converting Toolbox components take the form of pre-programmed functions. Sample applications demonstrate how each function can be efficiently and effectively implemented into a machine design. Such sample applications are ready to use after only minor modifications and include basic HMI functionality. This enables the machine function to be tested and optimised very rapidly.
When a functionality module needs to be modified, extended or changed, the Converting Toolbox's open-source code provides a wide and solid basis from which even specialised functions can be implemented quickly and easily.
Simotion, the Siemens motion control system, is said to be well suited as an operating platform for the Converting Toolbox because applications can be operated directly on an intelligent drive, very compactly and without the need for an additional PLC. Simotion offers drive, controller and PC-based topologies. The Converting Toolbox also includes drives-based functions using Siemens Sinamics Drive Control Chart (DCC) graphical programming language.
For more information about the Converting Toolbox, go to www.usa.siemens.com/motioncontrol.
Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies
Sir William Siemens House
Princess Road
M20 2UR
UNITED KINGDOM
44 161 446 5000
