Posted to News on 5th May 2016, 16:49
Mitsubishi to demonstrate iQ Platform at Hanover
Mitsubishi Electric will be using a tubular bag machine to demonstrate its packaging machine engineering expertise at Hanover Trade Fair. The trade fair application is based on Mitsubishi Electric's automation iQ Platform. The system uses predefined function blocks especially for packaging machines which can be used to set up control systems including HMIs quickly and easily. The program modules have been tested in practice and are certified in accordance with international standards such as PLC Open Motion and PackML. When used in conjunction with the integrated development tools from the iQ Platform, they ensure reduced time to market for packaging systems (Hall 17, Stand D38).
Having already proved itself many times in practice, the application shows how different packaging processes can be easily realised using Mitsubishi Electric's iQ Platform. Customised machines can be implemented with ease by choosing from the wide range of integrated PLC, motion, HMI and servo systems on offer. Besides the iQ Platform, the tubular bag machine includes a PLC, a motion controller, servomotors, and GOT2000 HMI from Mitsubishi Electric, for example. The iQ Platform comes with the iQ Works integrated development software package that enables different components to be parametrised very easily and quickly. It also comes with preconfigured program modules which can help to considerably reduce the development times for packaging systems. They are suitable for small machines up to complete production lines and are stored in a standard library. In addition, the function blocks ensure reduced maintenance costs during operation.
Heiko Weichert, Application Engineering at Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., explains further: "Mitsubishi Electric control systems have open interfaces for packaging applications such as the Weihenstephan protocol and PackML, for example. These enable different packaging machines and/or lines to communicate with each other very easily. They also support plug-and-play connections to higher-level MES and ERP systems. That means that production planning and quality assurance can be integrated in the control process, enabling productivity, reliability and cost control to be improved as a result while maintaining complete data consistency."
Based on the actual requirements in each case, additional components such as vision or RFID sensors can be added to the packaging machine. In order to achieve this, Mitsubishi Electric works closely with its partners from the e-F@ctory Alliance who are proven experts in their own specialist fields. The aim is to develop the best possible solution by working together.
Watch a video clip of the MelPackAL, and for further information visit eu3a.mitsubishielectric.com/fa.
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