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Production
Technology manufactured a control system for a machine to
ridge-lock
exhaust mufflers together instead of welding. This process
created a cleaner finish and enabled production to increase.
The end user produces the exhausts for Nissan in the North
East, who produce 24 hours a day to cater for Nissans JIT
(just-in-time) policy. Due to this policy the machine was
designed with reliability in mind.
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| The
control system used a Siemens S7-300 PLC to control the
sequence of the machine. The machine used three pneumatic
cylinders to hold the parts in place and a main hydraulic
cylinder to expand the tool to “Ridge-Lock” the pieces
together. At the request of the customer Siemens switch
gear, Telemecanique push buttons / switches, Pilz safety
relays and Sick lightguards were used to ensure continuity
with past machines supplied to the end user. |
| A Siemens soft start
unit was incorporated to start the motor on the hydraulic
pack rather than using a star-delta starter, to ease the
load on the motor and therefore increase the motors life
span. The hydraulic system also included a digital pressure
gauge / switch, minimum level switch and a maximum
temperature level switch to limit the risk of any damage to
the machine. |
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