Register Mark Control and Monitor System

Overview

Optima’s register mark and tension control system is a repeat length measurement system. It can record register marks with a high degree of accuracy but also has the option of providing output tension control signals. These can be used by to a third-party drive system for the purposes of maintaining repeat length accuracy in critical applications.

Our extensive knowledge of web transport systems – including complete upgrades of laminating and printing machine drives – gives our customers the confidence that the system will be integrated correctly with your machine control system.

The registration mark system is based on a high-precision length measuring device, coupled with fibre-optic sensing to accurately measure distances between registration marks. This system records measurements down to an accuracy greater than 0.1mm. The equipment has the following capabilities as standard.

Display the repeat length of the register marks as a trend on the HMI.

  • Display the low and high tolerances for the register mark length.
  • Allow manual input of data from the operators. This would include product information and roll numbers.
  • Store this data on an industrial PC. The data file names are sorted by product
    reference numbers, time and date stamped.
  • Transfer the stored information in CSV format, to your site servers. The data
    would then be available for you to analyze in Microsoft Excel etc. Please note
    that internal set-up by your IT department is required.
  • Provide a tension setpoint output that can be used to control tension and
    therefore the register mark length

Equipment

The register control desk comprises the HMI and industrial PC. Two options are available, depending on your requirements

Option 1 – Fully integrated console desk and screen
A Rittal floor mounted control desk, type AP in our standard colour Light Grey RAL 7035 with plinth and zinc coated mounting plate.Option 2 – Split Control desk and screen
For applications where space is limited at the machine end. The screen and PC are separated from the main panel. The only cables required are Ethernet and power between the two panels (supplied).For more information, or to request a quote, please contact us.

Recent Posts

Safety Scanner Issues and EN999

Optima were recently asked to advise on a safety guarding application for one of our customers. 

There had been a number of false trips of the laser scanner causing the machine to stop. As a result of this, a plastic chain ‘barrier’ had been fitted as a temporary measure with instructions to operators to not breach the barrier whilst the machine was running. 

The customer naturally wanted this rectifying as soon as possible, so Optima performed a short-notice service visit to site.

On the site visit, our engineer noted that the scanner was showing a code which indicated that the front screen required cleaning.

Once the screen was cleaned thoroughly the scanner did not show any faults or errors and was in normal run mode.

However, we performed further checks on the original software to ensure that the scanner configuration still met the requirements of the safety guarding application. 

The diagrams to the left show the Warning Field configuration (Yellow) and the Protective Field (Red). Both of these were confirmed to be operational. 

The warning field causes the klaxon to operate and the protective field caused an emergency stop of the machine.

We did, however find a few concerns that needed to be addressed.

1. None of the scanner safety circuit had been documented on any drawings.

2. Non-compliance with EN999 ‘Safety of machinery – the positioning of protective equipment in respect of approach speeds of parts of the human body’ includes a formula to be used to calculate the distance from a hazard that a safety zone must be triggered. Based on the stopping times of the machine, the scanner was placed too close to the machine to be effective in an emergency.

We are working closedly with our customer to assist them with this application and help them achieve a safe and effective solution to this.

If you need any support with safety applications or other upgrades, please get in touch.

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