The Czech glass machine manufacturer Sklostroj is gradually taking its co-ordinated motion control system for its IS machines and Hot-End equipment – consisting of a controller, drives and motors – to a new level, writes Radek Novotny* and Dr Christian Reuss**. 

For the transition to SIMATIC motion control, Sklostroj is exploiting the advantages of virtual commissioning. By combining virtual SPS S7-PLCSIM Advanced with SIMIT process simulation software and NX Mechatronics Concept Designer kinematics software, Sklostroj can test and optimise the machines and their behaviour in 3D using a number of simulation procedures and without any real hardware. The Software in the Loop (SiL) principle is currently being used in the new E-pushers, and other machine components are expected to follow. The company’s strategic approach is to always be one step ahead. The manufacturer of IS machines and hot end equipment, based about 90 kilometers north of Prague in Turnov, Czech Republic, relies on advanced technologies in its machines and plants for container glass manufacturing. It has a broad portfolio: the precision machine builder supplies complete production lines for hollow glass, as well as plant components such as IS machines and stand-alone systems like E-pushers, stackers, feeders, shears and gob distributors. For almost 20 years, Siemens has been the partner of choice behind the drive and controller technology of all machines, plants and systems. So it was natural that Siemens should also help Sklostroj to equip its motion control systems for the future. Motion control For the migration, Sklostroj started with its E-pushers – the system that, to put it simply, pushes the hot bottles onto the conveyor belt. “We were impressed by SIMATIC motion control because the motion control functionalities are scalable and the technology objects are extremely powerful. “In a time when there’s a shortage of skilled workers, it’s a huge advantage for us if engineering is simple, if we can access many integrated simulation tools, and if operators can enter their settings easily and optimally,” said Jan Koren, Operations Director at Sklostroj. The SIMATIC ecosystem also includes matching SIMATIC controllers. From among a large selection of performance classes, configurations and features, Siemens helped Sklostroj select the controller that best fits the E-pushers. One result has been SIMATIC controllers with T-CPU functionality – T is for technology – that make it easier to automate complex kinematics like those characteristics of E-pushers. “Because the CPUs are specially designed for use in the drive control unit, they can be used to efficiently automate complex multi-axis systems and kinematics,” said Koren. To optimally co-ordinate the complete system, the E-pusher’s controller with motion control functions was supplemented with SINAMICS drives, SIMOTICS motors, SIMATIC HMIs, and I/O systems. Engineering is efficiently performed in the TIA Portal. The first new-generation E-pushers are expected to be market-ready in the autumn in time for Glasstec.

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