The case of LM

From Siemens. The solution based on s7-1200 PLC and servo drive Sinamics S110 provides flexibility and efficiency to processing and packaging lines. Some applicative case studies emphasize the benefits.

In an increasingly global market, characterized by a high level of competitiveness, the Italian food & beverage processing machine and packaging line manufacturers have in recent years understood that the key to their success lies in being ever a step ahead in terms of technology, quality and performance. Siemens, always close to its customers, provides a specific solution for each requirement by on the one hand exploiting the expertise and market presence of its new PackTeam structure and, secondly, by offering products that optimize the technical and commercial benefits all to the advantage of their partners. The solution based on s7-1200 PLC and Sinamics S110 servo drive is a clear example of this philosophy, a “smart” concept that meets the increasingly demanding expectations of the market, whether dealing with thermoforming, end of line, or be it systems for the food processing sector. A significant example of its effectiveness is offered by applications in LM SpA, builder of conveyor belts and special handling systems for the packaging industry.

Connect, manage and handle. LM’s core business is the supply of technical solutions for the continuous sorting and handling of products in line at high speed; in other terms, those intelligent connecting systems between various packaging and processing machines that enable the efficient functioning of the same.
A packaging line is a heterogeneous structure made up of parts that have to be connected up to each other. The optimisation of the physical spaces also demands the use of special applications for the orientation and distribution of products to follow specific paths.
Among the various machines made by LM, its row distribution system surely constitutes a compact, versatile and somewhat surprising application.

This machine has been developed on the basis of concepts of modularity and standardisation that are applied to all LM belts, so as to obtain a system easy to integrate with any packaging line or machine both from a mechanical and electronic point of view.

While being from the point of view of control a relatively simple system, it is nearly always supplied in a certain number of consecutive units, hence the complexity arises from the synchronisation of the various “stations” with each other and with the processing machines upstream and the packaging ones downstream. The concept of modular design applied both to the mechanical engineering as well as to the hardware and software architecture enables the extension or the modification of the line when production demands impose the same.

These are special blanket conveyor belts with the function of transferring the rows of products 90° via a balancing and/or retracting end in order to feed the primary packaging machine.
The products handled are, typically, chocolate bars, snacks, covered wafers or bread products-
Accuracy and speed are the requisites of this application that reaches a speed of 40 cycles/min with a max feedback pitch of 800 mm.

Siemens’ contribution. The system Siemens proposed to LM comprises a LC of the s7-1200 series, a HMI KTp600 and 3 drives of the Sinamics S110 series. One of the axes is commanded at speed with an analogical reference, while the other two perform the positioning and are piloted via the pulse train outputs.

Ingegner Giancarlo Bertolino, head of LM’s technical office, sums up the positive impressions he has had using the solution: «The end market which the machine is destined for demands a sturdy and reliable solution; hence top quality motors and cables are needed. This is what we found in the Siemens system, as well as a “Step Direction” drive piloting interface, already at 24 V hence that does not demand a from 24 V to 5 V conversion with consequent simplifying of the cabling and reduction of costs. On top of that, thanks to the use of the Safe Torque Off safety function - he goes on - rearm times are reduced once emergency situation have ceased».
Hence also in multiaxial configuration Siemens’ “smart” solution guarantees various pluspoints in terms of optimisation of the configuration, commissioning and management of production.