Extruding Machines

Extrusion is one of the most critical manufacturing processes in the plastics industry. Optima has been involved in several extruder control system retrofits including upgrades of PLCs and drives.

The diagram shows an overview of the functionality of an extrusion line. The speed references are generated digitally using setpoints from a SCADA system transmitted to the drives over DeviceNet.

Each part of the machine relevant to the control system has been given a location reference in the format “+1”.

The extruder follows a digital speed reference generated by a raise/lower ramp within a Parker drive controller.

In this upgrade project, a new operator panel was provided, complete with raise/lower push buttons, to set the required extruder speed. The existing screw speed meter was retained and was fitted into the new control panel.

The existing analogue tachogenerator was replaced with an encoder to provide more accurate speed control.

A 2 quadrant DC drive controller was used for this application. There was a facility, switch mounted in the Extruder control panel, to reverse the direction of the motor. This facility was provided by a field reversal contactor.

For another project, the new control system of the extruder consisted of a control panel containing the drive and an operator station with push buttons (Start, Stop, Raise, Lower, and E- Stop Reset). When the machine is started, the start button illuminates indicating that the machine is ready for operation. The Raise and Lower buttons are used to set the speed. When stopped with the Stop button, the machine ramps down to zero and stops. A digital display shows extruder speed set point. The system has an inch reverse facility.

The existing screw speed meter was retained and remained in the existing operator panel. In the past the machine used armature-voltage feedback control, but an encoder was installed for more accurate control. The existing mechanical pressure switch on the rear of the extruder was retained.

 

Would you like to know more about other control system projects we have completed on extruding machines? Please, leave us a short message here and we will send you additional information within 24 hours!

Download PDF Version

Recent Posts

Accelerate your digital and sustainability transformation at Siemens Transform 2024

Transform 2024: Transform the everyday

We are delighted to invite you to join us for
Transform 2024 – the technology showcase from Siemens.

Join thousands of participants and accelerate
your digital and sustainability transformation to transform the everyday, for
everyone, on 17-18 July at Manchester Central.

·     Hear from, engage with, and collaborate with industry experts on key industry topics – from AI to the
industrial metaverse and decarbonisation.

·     Experience where the real world meets the digital in an extensive technology marketplace and discover
Siemens Xcelerator – the open digital business platform.

·     Work with an expert community to solve real-world challenges and co-create solutions to make your
organisation more competitive, resilient and sustainable.

As a proud partner of Siemens, we hope you will join us at Transform and become part of a community solving today’s most pressing challenges, together.

Click below to register your interest and to receive updates from Siemens on their unmissable schedule of talks and experiences.

https://www.siemens.com/uk/en/company/transform.html?stc=ukcg200474

 

  1. Optima’s Solution Partner Accreditation for 2024 Leave a Reply
  2. Cloud-based data dashboards Leave a Reply
  3. Siemens Transform Event Leave a Reply
  4. Rockwell Extended Warranties Leave a Reply
  5. S88 Solution Solves Obsolescence Issue Leave a Reply
  6. Up to 5 Years Warranty as Standard on our Motor and Drive Upgrades with Siemens Leave a Reply
  7. Optima achieve accreditation by Avetta for supplier competency Leave a Reply
  8. Re-commencement of commissioning on major projects Leave a Reply
  9. All the support you need… when you need it Leave a Reply