Control system conversion of a strip welding system

Requirements

• Modernization
• Expansion
• Renewal of the plant

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Solution

Panel

Since the existing panel was located on a support arm directly on the machine, a Siemens 15" HMI professional panel with 2 extension units on a support arm from Rittal was selected.

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The buttons on the existing panel have been moved to the extension units of the HMI panel; in addition, the HMI can also be operated via the touchscreen.

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Controller

A CPU 1510 SP with ET 200 SP modules for inputs and outputs was selected as the controller.

Communication

Communication with the panel and extension units (including emergency stop button) takes place via Profinet/Profisafe.

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All movements of the machine are carried out hydraulically, and the welding carriage is controlled via a proportional valve in order to achieve different welding speeds and positions.

The movement was originally controlled by a discrete position controller. This was replaced by control via S7 motion control, and the existing absolute encoder was connected to the new controller.

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• The safety technology of the system was renewed
• Door switches were renewed/added
• Safety-relevant signals were moved to fail-safe modules
• Control is handled by the safety program in the F-CPU

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Duration of renovation phase: 10 days

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