PETpla.net Insider 01+02 / 2018

CAPS & CLOSURES 31 PET planet Insider Vol. 19 No. 01+02/18 www.petpla.net mabarber@crain.com MATTHEW BARBER GLOBAL POLYMER GROUP EVENT SUPPORTERS: PRSEVENTEUROPE.COM PLASTICS RECYCLING AWARDS EUROPE 2018 THE DEDICATED PAN EUROPEAN EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE FOR THE PLASTICS RECYCLING INDUSTRY. INTRODUCING ORGANISERS: BOOK YOUR STAND TODAY : +44 (0)1622 370570 Industry 4.0: Simplified injection moulding based on intelligent connectivity “We are constantly looking at how we can further optimise the manufac- turing process. Our vision is an intel- ligent injection moulding machine that communicates with connected periph- erals and coordinates adaptively with them,” said Schmid. With cycle times already impressively fast, the key to success is the connectivity within a production line and the intelligent use of data and consequent major simplifica- tion of operation and control. In col- laboration with the image processing specialists Intravis, at Drinktec 2017 in Munich, Netstal presented an Intravis CapWatcher III system connected to a Netstal Elion 2200. The CapWatcher III continuously sent key parameters of currently inspected closures to the machine via the control circuit. “This was a major milestone for us because we were able to deliver real-time proof to an audience of trade visitors that under specific conditions an injection mould- ing machine could independently control itself,” asserted Schmid. Data generated by the CapWatcher III quality inspection is sent to the Netstal injection mould- ing machine via an OPC UA interface, providing it with a continuous flow of key closure parameter information. Upon registering a sustained deviation from the presets, on the basis of the data received the machine controller auto- matically readjusts its corresponding settings. The closures are promptly pro- duced again within the applicable quality parameters without any loss of efficiency or productivity. Netstal’s high level of precision made visible “As a result of comprehensive inte- gration into our aXos controller, we can even specifically change certain prod- uct characteristics within the process window with a single entry,” said Schmid. The operator is able to adjust the outer diameter of the closures upwards and downwards in size by up to one tenths of a millimeter. The machine operator achieved this by simply entering a single value and confirming it with a click of a mouse. Accordingly, any further set- tings required to carry out the desired diameter change were adjusted fully automatically by the machine controller. The commensurate change could then be visually observed and checked on the displayed main CapWatcher diagram, which illustrated each closure as a point. “With the outer diameter of the closures produced on the Elion moving along the preset target value within a span of a half tenth of a millimeter, the demonstra- tion perfectly illustrated the high level of precision and repeatability of our control- ler technology. In actual fact, deviations of up to one tenth upwards or down- wards were within the tolerance limits,” explained a delighted Peter Schmid. The value added for users is obvious in that the manufacture of plastic closures is less resource-consuming and more efficient than ever before. www.netstal.com Up to 1.4 billion of lightweight 29/25 closures can be manu- factured on a single Netstal injection mould- ing machine per year.