Product category:
Mid-range and Large PLCs
News Release from: Siemens Automation and Drives | Subject: Simatic S7-400F
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 01 August 2006
Siemens equipment keeps presses
operational
Siemens equipment has been used to provide a new state-of-the-art control system on a new Pre-Print Technology (PPT) wide-web Flexographic printing press in Canada
Siemens equipment has been used to provide a new state-of-the-art control system on a new Pre-Print Technology (PPT) wide-web Flexographic printing press in Canada The existing 2.5-metre wide machine required upgrading from a six-colour printing head to eight, necessitating the addition of a completely new section
Along with rigorous in-built safety requirements, system integrator CR Solutions with the approval of PPT sourced entirely Siemens equipment to provide the necessary solutions.
In 2002, Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC) ceased manufacturing in the UK, and as a result, Manchester-based Pre-Print Technology was established as an independent company after purchasing all wide web intellectual property relating to PCMC and Cobden Chadwick designs.
PPT offers a comprehensive service to its customer's worldwide offering spare parts, service support, press upgrades and complete new press lines utilising leading edge control systems.
David Sawford and Andrew Roylance are the owners of Pre-Print Technology and have experience dating back to 1979 in the design, manufacture, procurement and project management of presses for the pre-print, tissue and sack industries.
As PPT now owns the IP for Wide-Web Flexographic printing presses (of which there are around 70 in the field), the company was the natural choice when an existing Canadian customer wanted to upgrade a printing section and incorporate a state-of-the-art control system.
The Wide-Web Flexographic reel to reel press in question allows printing to take place prior to the next corrugation process and then cut to register as a flat box on the corrugator in readiness for shipment to retail customers in North America.
"The customer owns three Chadwick-built Flexographic printing presses," explains Mr Sawford.
"They wanted to upgrade one press from six-colour to eight, which meant integrating an entirely new C.I.
section into the existing print line".
"On projects of this scale we use a network of engineering companies to provide professional support".
"CR Solutions (CRS) in Rochdale is the preferred supplier for all our press control systems".
Mr Sawford says the when PPT was established the company planned to use Siemens equipment as its standard offering.
"Most of our customers are familiar with Siemens".
"Add this to the reputation of Siemens' products and the company's ability to provide service worldwide; then there really was no need to look elsewhere".
The Siemens solution for the Canadian Project was based on the use of a Simatic S7-400F fail safe PLC, part of Siemens' Safety Integrated control concept.
With eight printing stations rotating simultaneously using a network of transmission assemblies, safety is paramount.
The S7-400F achieves safety integrity across SIL levels 1 to 3 of the IEC 61508 standard, for a single processor.
This innovative piece of equipment is able to protect both personnel and machinery in the event of a fault or power failure.
The application of S7-400F on the Wide-Web Flexographic press allowed the final solution to offer a 30 per cent reduction in panel bay space.
Such has been the success of the project that CR Solutions is now looking at providing a further two systems for other key customers.
Built and tested in the UK, the new section was shipped to Canada and installed in April 2006.
"Both CRS and Siemens played an integral part in ensuring the success of the project".
"This has generated a great deal of interest in major press upgrades and new press projects with existing and new customers".
"PPT and its preferred partners look forward to more successful years ahead".
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