PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
The project envisages replacing the current mechanical type plate advancement system with an electronic type plate advancement system.
All the leverage systems that currently move the plate feed comb will be replaced by an electric cylinder with motor, all the machine and mold cycle commands will be given by a plc connected to an encoder positioned on the central shaft of the machine.
CONTENTS OF R&D ACTIVITIES
Definitely a fundamental element on which the project is based is the simplification of the adjustment of the centering of the aluminum plate with consequent improvement in quality and reduction of waste.
Reduction of downtime due to centering which currently involves the disassembly of the comb for the adjustment of the advancement skids, the subsequent assembly and test, if it is still not sufficient, the operation should be repeated with considerable use of time and machine downtime .
Reduction of the time required by qualified maintenance personnel as the operation can be carried out by production personnel by simply changing the dimensions on the operator terminal.
Resetting of current stops due to breakage of worn mechanical parts now not available as spare parts and which often require mechanical processing for restoration by engaging qualified personnel.
Ease of any format change, it is no longer necessary to replace gears, comb and machine levers but it is sufficient to intervene by modifying the adjustment parameters from the machine panel.
TECHNOLOGICAL UNCERTAINTY
The difficulties encountered were encountered mainly in identifying the right materials to be used to create the entire advancement system.
We weren’t sure if the motors could handle the stamping speeds of the press. We were not sure that the effort to which the motor had to be subjected to move the feed comb back and forth had not compromised its qualities in a short time.