Machine builder targets resurgent plastic bag making market with ethernet-based motion control architecture

By admin October 30, 2013 12:30 pm IST

Proven technical know-how, plus a number of new developments, are now being brought together to create the re-engineered machine
Two plastic bag machine support specialists have cooperated to launch a machine offering new levels of programmability and bag production flexibility. Based on ABB’s Ethernet Powerlink compatible motion control range, the new machine features an all-servomotor architecture and a user interface developed from the operator’s point of view.
Modern plastic bag making machines often have two servomotor based axes – web feed and cut/seal – plus a mechanically linked third axis for ‘picking off’ the finished bags. The new machine – a joint development from the UK machine builders Hartech Engineering and GPL Machinery – also implements servo control on this third axis to provide programmable ‘electronic cam’ control of pick-off action. It allows users to finely adjust pick-off so that the machine can avoid the sealing problems that commonly arise as conventional machines are set up to handle different types of blown or cast film materials – to minimise scrap and downtime.
The machine – dubbed the BBM1100 – is built on the mechanical framework of a common bag making machine from Woodbank, who ceased production around a decade ago. There are many of these old machines in the UK, which GPL and Hartech have been servicing and refurbishing for more than a decade. During this time, the two companies have developed numerous add-ons and upgrades based on ABB motion control technology, including replacement servomotor axes and a new user interface.
This proven technical know-how, plus a number of new developments, are now being brought together to create the re-engineered machine. The developers believe a strong market exists for this type of new machinery in local UK and Irish markets, due to the rapidly rising cost of sourcing plastic bags – or bag making machines – from maturing Asian economies that are now having to pass on substantial material cost and wage inflation.
The re-engineered all-servo machine not only offers inherently finer control over manufacturing – and as a result quality and productivity – than many current competitors, it is also extremely price-competitive, costing up to 30% less than a brand new machine.
The BBM1100 machine’s three axes are powered by drives from ABB’s three-phase MotiFlex family, linked to the company’s BSM brushless servomotors. Control is provided by the ABB NextMove e100 machine controller with a touch-screen colour operator panel.

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