Modular automation for packaging

Motion control is the area of specialization of Servotecnica, a company based in Nova Milanese that distributes in Italy the tested AMK Motion industrial automation solutions. A product portfolio that, for over 15 years, has favored innovative approaches, and has expanded to create a complete system that allows the realization of articulated and decentralized automation proposals.

Comprehensive offering for packaging systems

From the extensive AMK Motion catalog available, which ranges from controllers to converters and decentralized inverters in various performance classes and sizes, packaging machine manufacturers can choose according to their production requirements and market conditions.

Decentralized controller

In addition to intelligent control, the decentralized iSA motion controller with IP65 protection also offers an integrated power supply designed for 5 kW of continuous power. Applications with 36 drives have already been realized on the EtherCAT master of the iSA , which can also be used as a gateway for Ethernet/IP, ProfiNET and EtherCAT. Its computing power forms the basis for fast and precise motion control and provides sufficient space for sequence control and, if necessary, visualization. The iSA has an integrated 24 V supply voltage and requires only 3x400 Vac to produce the DC supply voltage for the servo drives.

Decentralized drive

The iX Series decentralized drive is available with IP65 protection and delivers continuous power up to 5 kVA (8.2 Amp continuous and 16.4 Amp peak). If the decentralized drives are installed in a machine module and together with other modules make up a complete production line, the cabling architecture also changes: the motor cables (power and encoder) no longer have to be laid from the control cabinet to the servomotor, while the power cables and real-time Ethernet cables run from the power supply to the first drive and then to the next. The advantage of this type of daisy chain wiring is particularly evident on moving machine modules or rotary tables where multiple drives are installed, reducing the cable chain to just the power supply line.

Another advantage of daisy chaining is that all drives are connected to the same DC BUS. In this mode, the energy required and the energy regenerated in the different phases of operation are balanced, allowing optimal energy use.

Servo controller integrated in the motor

Servo motors with integrated drives offer the greatest savings because they also eliminate power cables to the motor and encoder. Motor-integrated drive solutions are available with various flange sizes, from 55 (ihXT series) to 100 mm (iDT5 series), each with different lengths.

These decentralized systems ensure reliability even in harsh environments and heavy-duty applications, thanks to their high resistance to shock and vibration and IP65 protection level. In terms of safety, the STO function is integrated as standard, while other functions such as SS1 and SS2 can be implemented via FSoE.

Choosing the right solution

When faced with the availability of different drive modules, it's not just the technical compatibility that counts when designing the right machine model. What counts is the automation supplier's competence in finding the right solution for the given application, combining the components and their integration into the final automation proposal for the specific machine. In the IIOT era, integration at the system periphery - all the way to cloud systems and mobile access via apps - also plays an important role. Subsequent expansions of existing systems are easily achievable, in favor of sustainability, extended service life and high value retention.