VSDs cut moulding machine power consumption

Proplas International has installed Control Techniques Commander SE variable speed drives onto four blow moulding machines at Robert McBride's Bradford site.

Proplas International has installed Control Techniques Commander SE variable speed drives onto four blow moulding machines at Robert McBride's Bradford site as part of McBride's commitment to reduce energy consumption and costs.

Originally Proplas installed a test drive to demonstrate the actual power savings enabling project justification.

The trial results indicated a consumption saving of approximately 35%, with a project payback of less than 14 months.

McBride's blow moulding machines are powered by two hydraulic pumps, one for the machine movements, and the other for extruder rotation.

Originally these motors were driven at a constant speed that could cater for the maximum hydraulic demand.

This traditional control method is inefficient, as the electrical energy consumption remains high while the hydraulic power demand varies.

Proplas has installed a VSD onto the machine movement's hydraulic motor, which has resulted in reducing the motor speed to half during low demand, and increase the speed as required by using an inline pressure transducer.

The installation of a VSD and potentiometer onto the extruder control has eliminated the old mechanical throttling valve, which controlled the rotation speed.

The project has successfully realised the 35% reduction in power consumption, as indicated in the trial.

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