Siemens' motion control solutions for metal forming

Electrical switching & drive systems & components

First Quarter 2007 Electrical switching & drive systems & components

At the Euroblech trade fair in Hanover, Germany, Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) presented comprehensive motion control solutions especially adapted for metal forming. With the software package Metal Forming Solutions, users get a total solution for press operation and press-related applications. This allows the press shop to adapt more quickly to changing production requirements.

The presentation also focused on energy efficiency in drive systems. The Sinamics S120 drive system provides inverters with regenerative feedback capability that can make a significant contribution towards reducing operating costs.

Metal forming requires flexibility, fast adaptation to changed manufacturing conditions, and higher machine productivity. Siemens A&D presented automation solutions, software applications and services for operating and automating presses. Centre stage was occupied by the Simotion motion control system from Siemens and the software applications specially adapted to metal forming. The Metal Forming Solution Package encompasses a total solution for operating presses. Use of this package allows mechanical equipment manufacturers to significantly reduce the time to market entry. With the support of the software package, users can adapt the press shop quickly and flexibly to new production requirements. The Simotion motion control system is platform-independent and, in addition to the compact version, it is available for the PC-based platform and the drive-level platform.

As in general mechanical equipment manufacture and plant building, the question of life-cycle costs, and energy efficiency in particular, is a defining topic in metal forming. Energy costs take up a considerable share of life-cycle costs. Siemens offers machine-level energy management for presses here. With the Sinamics S120 active lines module (ALM) drive, for example, stabilised intermediate circuit voltage can be guaranteed using feedback units. This decouples the connected motor modules from the system voltage. System fluctuations within permissible system tolerances thus do not affect the motor voltage. In conjunction with the clean power filter, system harmonics are largely suppressed, and in addition to energy savings, the economic effectiveness of the machine is also increased because the press line produces fewer rejects.

Siemens A&D's presentation was rounded off with drive components such as torque motors, configuring tools like Simatic WinCC flexible and Simotion Scout, and safety solutions.

For more information contact Siemens Southern Africa, +27 (0) 11 652 2000.

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Electrical switching & drive systems & components

Siemens' motion control solutions for metal forming

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