Total control package for automatic carton partition assembler.

A leading US manufacturer of paper-processing machines has chosen a fully integrated automation and control system from Mitsubishi Electric for their Jumbo Automatic Partition Assembler.

Premier Paper developed the product in response to demand for a flexible system for the production of corrugated board and fibre board partitions used to protect sensitive products during transportation and storage.

Intuitive operator interface

The new assembler required an intuitive operator interface to allow the operators to quickly adapt the machine settings, and an automation and control package flexible enough to future applications. A driver of innovation within its sector, Premier Paper is constantly improving machine performance and efficiency, whilst retaining simple and intuitive operator interfaces.

The automation system includes PLCs, frequency inverters, servo-controls, Simple Motion modules, GOT operator interfaces (HMIs) and a complete control software package from Mitsubishi Electric. The L Series Modular PLC platform was selected as it provides a flexible control platform offering future expandability and Premier’s customisation requirements.

The assembler feeds up to 16 partition strips at a time using E-700 frequency inverter connected through CC-Link network. The partitions are then transported to a second platform where another set of partitions is fitted at right angles to the first in order to form a perfect grid pattern. An L-Series Simple Motion controller and MR-J3 servo-drives ensure that these partitions are positioned accurately.

100 predefined recipes

Up to 100 recipes are used to determine the dimensions of the partitions, and the relevant transportation mode can be stored in the L-Series PLC. The complex feeding modes are programmed by means of Simple Motion function blocks supplied by Mitsubishi. The operator can select any of these recipes quite easily using the GT12 touchscreen display.

Premier Paper successfully integrated the new system using the flexible and modular L-Series PLCs from Mitsubishi Electric and the GX Works2 programming software. Commissioning went smoothly and the speed of the system has increased significantly as a result. Ultimately the overall efficiency of the system has more than doubled following the installation of the integrated automation and control solution.

See Jumbo partition assembler on YouTube

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