EoW July 2010

technology news

Breakthrough in breakdown technology Headlined as “Rod breakdown with breakthrough tech- nology,” Sampsistemi launched the RBL 1 at this year’s wire Düsseldorf. The RBL 1 design includes continuous, high precision process control that saves energy and materials. Working with copper or aluminium alloys, the RBL 1 rod breakdown line will handle between 9 and 17 drafts of 1, 2 or 4 wires at speeds up to 40m per second. Wire elongation per draft is fully variable and selectable. The inlet diameter for copper wire is 8mm–10mm, or 9.5mm–12.7mm for aluminium alloy; the outlet diameter is between 0.88mm and 5.5mm for copper, and 1.25mm–5.5mm for alloy. Advantages of the RBL 1 over existing technology are said to include: CNC process control • Diameter or conductivity operation modes • 30% less energy consumption • Quieter running, less than 80 dBA • Oil-free, direct drive technology • Operator-friendly supervision and diagnostics systems • Remote control via Internet connection • Requires no preventative maintenance • SAMP SpA – Italy Fax : +39 051 370 860 Website : www.sampsistemi.com All products from FMS are designed as plug and play units, and all functions can be configured using the user-friendly control panel or a PC. FMS Force Measuring Systems AG – Switzerland Fax : +41 44 850 6006 Email : info@fms-technology.com Website : www.fms-ag.ch The FMS-webMASTER 040 series of steering frames and the new BKS309 web guide controller form a sophisticated web guiding system for even the most demanding applications including unwind and rewind stations on extrusion, coating and laminating lines, and intermediate splicing, packing or printing stations. The FMS tradition of providing low cost-of-ownership solutions is continued with the FMS-webMASTER 040 series web guides. The steering frames of this large web guide family are available with roller-spans of 600mm to 2,000mm. Standard features such as a stepper motor drive (no brushes), a robust ball screw and spindle assembly (preloaded to eliminate backlash) with lifetime lubrication, and oversize ultra-low-friction sliding guides form the basis for years of operation. Signal processing and controlling tasks are fully digitalised, resulting in a fast 1 millisecond cycle time and thus the ability to succeed in applications where higher web speeds prevail. The BKS309 controller is available in wall, DIN rail, and panel mount versions, and a single cable provides both power and control interfaces between the steering frame actuator and the controller. The controller is equipped with an Ethernet interface. Web guiding system

Optical length and speed measurement In highly automated production processes, length and velocity data are required for many purposes. For instance, measurement of operational throughput delivers essential data to control process parameters. In the manufacturing of piece goods an automatic start and end recognition mechanism enables an autonomous length measurement. For a variety of materials, especially those that are hot, elastic, highly sensitive or dough-like, it is impossible to use tactile sensors such as odometers or tacho rolls. The accuracy of a mechanical sensor system is also reduced by slippage, which in practice can lead to measuring errors of 10% or more. In both cases, non-contact optical metrology provides significant benefits. With the Speel 3000, Zumbach offers a high-tech gauge that can be used for a wide range of applications requiring accuracy at very high velocities. The Speel 3000 is available for a measuring distance of 300mm and achieves an accuracy of 0.05% or better. The measured length is transmitted to subsequent electronics using an industry standard incremental interface. As an alternative, a synchronous serial interface (SSI) is also available. In addition, an electrical output signal compatible with common incremental encoders is available and can be directly connected to control systems, electrical counters, or frequency inverters.

The main features of Speel 3000 include: Speed range up to 3,000m/min • Detection of standstill • Detection of direction • Start and end recognition •

• • • •

Allows deviation of the measuring distance

Suits smooth and rough surfaces Long life LED illumination

Maintenance free

Non-contact length measurement from Zumbach ▲ ▲

Zumbach Electronic AG – Switzerland Fax : +41 32 356 0430 Email : sales@zumbach.ch Website : www.zumbach.com

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EuroWire – July 2010