Bagging technology is widely used for large home electronics packaging such as for refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines and electric cabinets. The bagging process protects equipment from moisture, water, dust and scratches during storage and transportation, and assures product functionality. Conventional bagging processes take a considerable amount of human labor and time that adds up to high costs and unstable packaging quality. Bagging process automation can replace the conventional methods, and helps to save time and human labor by refining each technical process to enhance production efficiency.
Bagging operations can be complicated and may include the following processes: equipment positioning, product scanning, bag selection, bag dispatch, bag expansion, bag contraction, bag installation, bag feeding, and more. Generally, bagging machines can be categorized into three types: manual bagging machines, semi-automatic bagging machines, and automatic bagging machines. Manual bagging requires human labor to put materials onto the equipment before the bagging process, which could mean considerable labor and time to complete the bagging operations for one large item of electronic equipment. When using automatic bagging machines, operators place the bagging materials into the feeding section, and the machine then automatically expands the material and completes the remaining bagging processes.
To automate the bagging process, Delta's automatic bagging machine solution adopts the self-developed Compact Modular Mid-range PLC as the master controller, and motion control systems along with power drives engage machine automation for bagging processes. It helps by enhancing process speed and efficiency and allows customers to save the cost of labor and time.
For the process control of automatic bagging machines, Delta's Compact Modular Mid-range PLC AS300 Series controls three sets of the AC Servo Drive ASDA-A2 Series via the CANopen communication protocol to precisely position the AC Servo Motor ECMA Series. This allows the bagging machine to perform several bagging processes including bag selection, lateral motion, bag expansion, elevation, and more. For controlling feeding axes, this solution adopts the Sensorless Vector Control Compact Drive VFD-E Series and the Vector Control Drive C2000 Series to provide variable-frequency control for bag installation via the RS-485 communication protocol to complete the bagging process.
Delta's automatic bagging machine solution also optimizes programming commands and provides easy machine adjustment for set up to achieve outstanding motion control efficiency. The AS300 Series is equipped with the built-in “Easy Command” function that helps the master controller automatically set up the default parameters of the servo systems without manual programming. For convenient communication of users and equipment, users can transmit data to the AS300 Series with barcode scanners, and the master controller will confirm machine specifications and select the corresponding bagging materials for bagging processes. In addition, operators can also monitor operation processes or manually give commands to the equipment via the Widescreen Human Machine Interface DOP-B Series as a control panel, to achieve real-time process management.
In actual application, Delta's automatic bagging machine solution brings the following advantages to our clients:
Delta's exclusive CANopen Builder for easy configuration: With the CANopen Builder interface in Delta's self-developed programming software ISPSoft, customers can set up an initial motion control configuration to the AS300 Series without building up a CANopen data exchange table manually. When setting up the AC Servo Drive ASDA Series, the ISPSoft can download the required parameters of multiple axes via the CANopen command control. In addition, with the modular program structure, ISPSoft enables easy management for motion control to achieve high program visualization and convenient maintenance.
Quick and easy data exchange: The Compact Modular Mid-range PLC AS300 Series adopts several built-in communication ports, including COM1, COM2, and Ethernet. Customers can select the corresponding ports based on the supported communication to achieve seamless and efficient data exchange.
Real-time remote monitoring: With the Ethernet network, the master controller can perform precise command control by receiving real-time information from each part of the automatic bagging machine. In addition, the Ethernet Switches DVS Series transmits the equipment data to the cloud-based platform, which enables customers to integrate and analyze collected data from the on-site equipment via the production management system and monitor equipment remotely.
Delta provides the automatic bagging machine solution to build high-quality and efficient production lines for customers. By enhancing the production efficiency and precision of bagging processes, Delta successfully reduces the waste of materials and time, leading to greater industry competitiveness.