TECHNOLOGY | MATERIALS HANDLING
The Net5 system incorpo-
rates Teachbox basic control, capable of controlling 24 material loaders and two vacuum circuits, with one as a reserve. In addition, it is possible to control the material conveying system via an Aton plus series dryer. Up to four touch-screen controls can be used in this manner. When a system consists of three Teachbox basic controls and the dryer
Above: The Wittmann Aton plus dryer’s control unit
control, all consoles can be used for command inputs. The administration of the system can also be executed via any of the four control displays. Teachbox basic can also be employed as the
Right: Teachbox basic, centre- piece of Wittmann’s Net5 system, for the control of up to 24 material loaders, with Feedmax S 3-net material loader on the left
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central control unit and the operator is free to choose its position within the Net5 system. For example, it is possible to connect one control unit to the system at the beginning of a conveying line, and a second one somewhere in the middle of the system. Wittmann says that this means that the operator is free to arrange short conveying distances for the material in the system, or to reserve a particular control unit for a critical component. The control unit allows complete flexibility, even when the system is fully engaged. For example, the Teachbox basic can be connected to a central pump first, and then to any conveying unit later. The company adds that all the settings that define the suction process and conveying times, as well as the 2-component valve settings, are stored directly in the conveying unit and not on the remote control. This makes an important contribution to process security, because all single material loaders will function according to their own settings, even without remote control. According to Wittmann, a Net5 system can be enlarged with an addi- tional material loader or dryer easily. The new device is given an address and can then be connected via a cable to any other device in the existing system. The system recognises the additional device automatically, without any re-configuration or programming. The Wittmann Aton
INJECTION WORLD | October 2017
plus segmented wheel dryer can also use the Net5 system. The dryer can be used as the central control unit, not only for the dryer itself, but also for the system’s material loaders. The dryer’s param- eters are clear and can be changed via its display, as well as through the Teachbox basic. Process information on frequently dried materials can be stored and recalled for eight different materials. ProTec Polymer Processing has introduced Industry 4.0 materials handling solutions for its Somos Batchmix dosing and mixing systems, RDT-250 stationary resin dryer and RDM mobile dryers. These product ranges have been progres- sively introduced with a new, uniform design. All Somos dryers and dosing units are fitted with network-compatible PLC controllers. Their 6 inch colour touch screen with graphical user interface ensures intuitive operation. The company adds that when linked with injection moulding machines, as well as peripheral components and conveyors using a wide variety of available interfaces, the components can communicate with one another in real time. For example, Somos dryers can stop an injection moulding machine from withdrawing material prematurely and so ensure that optimally dried material is supplied at exactly the right time for processing. Protec adds that if the PLC controllers receive er-
ror messages from other system components, they adapt their operations accordingly. In the reverse direction, the controllers transmit authorisations or report any faults. Numerous formulations can also be stored in and retrieved from the internal storage devices of the dosing units and dryers. Moreover, the controller can document all manufacturing parameters, so ensuring end-to-end quality control and process reliability. According to the company, Somos Batchmix Industry 4.0 capable gravimetric dosing and mixing systems can handle throughputs of up to 1,920 kg/h. They can supply injection moulding machines with homogeneous mixtures of up to six flowable components. Weighing and mixing bins each fitted with two load cells ensure accurate, reproducible dosing. The range includes Batchmix M and Batchmix L models, as well as the XL for large throughputs. ProTec has introduced new resin dryers that are also fitted with PLC controllers. Up to a maximum of six multi-chamber drying modules with capacities of 50-300 litres can be
combined to form a drying system. A sixth
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