Positioners and actuators optimise format change

The company, Halstrup-Walcher – which is exhibiting at SPS Italia - has been specialised for a number of years in the engineering of positioning solutions used on board machines to automate format changes, regulating the positioning of tools, sensors, gates, abutments or machine parts, according to the production.

Advantages. Compared to a classic manual mechanism, the main advantages are the elimination of operator errors and a significant reduction in production waste. Automation also makes it possible to limit and optimise format change times, an increasingly frequent operation given the request for personalisation arriving from the packaging market.

How it works. Halstrup-Walcher’s solution comprises a series of positioners that combine motor, drive, gearbox and multi-turn absolute encoders in a compact product designed to replace the classic manual handwheels without, however, significantly impacting the mechanical and electrical design.

The solution makes it possible to optimise volumes, choosing the most suitable model for the spaces available. The hollow shaft allows for an assembly similar to that of mechanical handwheels. Commands and diagnostic information are exchanged directly with the machine controller by fieldbuses. Finally, the torques delivered can be selected in ranges from 1 to 25 Nm, thanks to the internal reducer.