Ardagh’s glass container facility based in Knottingley, UK, looks forward to maximising the benefits of using process visualisation within its production process thanks to the combination of the Simotion® servo drive and advanced glass container production technologies.
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Ardagh Group’s Knottingley glass container facility in the UK is benefitting from the recent conversion of an existing production line to Simotion® servo drive and FMT control technology.
Installed and commissioned by production machinery specialist Heye International GmbH, the highly flexible control system is based on the future-proof, multi axis Simotion® drive system from Siemens. Independently operating visualisation and real-time control has enabled delivering simplified access to all production data parameters and system error reports.
RESILIENT, NON-STOP OPERATION, MINIMISED TIMES AND REDUCED STAFF TRAINING
Enhanced reliability of the electronic components in combination with the application of a compact servo motor with robust resolver, guarantee resilient, non-stop operation. If control components need to be changed, complicated programming is not necessary because the configuration data is stored on a memory board. When control is initiated, the data is automatically transferred. Hence, commissioning times and downtimes during servicing are minimised, whilst the staff training requirements are reduced.
FURTHER ENHANCING ADDITIONS
Retrofitting the Simotion® and FMT control equipment at the Knottingley glass plant was combined with Heye’s expert technicians installing a series of advanced glass container production technologies as part of the project. This included the installation of a 3-inch triple gob feeder mechanism, Heye servo dual motor shears (type 2323, 3-inch triple gob) and a ‘futronic’ FMT VDM electronic timing system.
Along with 10-section crane rail equipment, the installation features replacement blank side valve blocks, the Heye 2157 servo pusher system, a Heye three axis servo lehr loader (type 4206), hot end reject equipment and Heye process control.
A Simotion® IS conveyor and ware transfer conversion kit was supplied, together with a Simotion® cross conveyor conversion kit. The Heye Simotion® Servodrive System is designed for nine drives and features two control cabinets.
GOOD TEAMWORK
Julie Watson, Director of Operations at Ardagh Glass Knottingley, confirms successful commissioning of the project in close co-operation with Heye personnel, both before and during installation: “We are delighted with the good teamwork between Ardagh and Heye staff. The upgrade of our IS machine and equipment will lead us to the next level of high-end techno-logy”. Now, the glassmaker is looking forward to maximising the benefits of using process visualisation within the production process.
Heye International GmbH
www.heye-international.com