11/30/2016
Delta Programmable Logic Controllers Optimize Automated Processes and Efficiency for Robotic CNC Machine Tending
In the era of smart machines and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), automated production lines are extremely important for manufacturers. Recently, Delta successfully provided a customer with an integrated solution that employed programmable logic controllers (PLC), industrial Ethernet switches and a human machine interface (HMI) for a robotic CNC machine tending application. This solution was widely praised by the customer for its optimal production scheduling, enhanced efficiency, and safety measures that reduced labor costs significantly.
A smartphone case manufacturer in China recently applied Delta's High Performance Mid-range PLC AH500 Series and slim PLC DVP Series for its 15m production line. The use of the AH500 and DVP Series helped to control the robots' conveying mechanism for executing the loading and unloading of materials from designated CNC stations without the need for manual operation.
Delta's solution included placing the AH500 Series in the master power distribution cabinet to control a total of 10 CNC stations on the production line for executing applications such as turning over work-pieces. The High Performance PLC DVP-EH3 Series was placed on a conveyor cart to move a robot precisely towards each CNC station for smooth loading and unloading applications. In addition, Delta's industrial Ethernet switches DVS Series was used to transmit program data from the AH500 Series to the widescreen HMI DOP-B Series, so that the customer could easily manage the whole production process.
Smart manufacturing is gradually replacing traditional manufacturing with solutions such as: using robots for loading or unloading materials instead of manually. For robots to be applied on production lines, Delta PLCs offer great programming capacity for motion control and an extension bus design for convenient production scheduling to improve overall production efficiency.
Advantages of applying Delta's solution for robotic CNC machine tending include:
• Integrated total solution: The AH500 Series with ISPSoft programming software executes at a fast program speed of 0.3ms for completing 1k steps. While the slim PLC DVP Series provides excellent motion control for precise and reliable production processes via communication protocols.
• Highly effective control system: Delta's AH500 Series utilizes a 32-bit dual-core multitasking processor for easier user troubleshooting, implementing safety measures, optimizing production scheduling and effectively reducing labor costs.
• Flexible System Configuration: Since the entire production line is 15m, the use of the AH500 Series offered a flexible local extension bus with up to 7 extension racks and a maximum distance of 100m or 2km (optical fiber) between 2 racks to ensure system compatibility and reliability.
Delta's integrated solution (see below) can help customers save up to 90% in labor costs, improve competitiveness and achieve better industry performance.