Like other machines in the assembly cell, the manufacturer required that its master PLC controls the press motions.
SCHMIDT
Technology responded
by using its innovative DataExchange software to provide the manufacturer with direct influence over the motion path of the EP345. Using EtherNet/IP interface, the master PLC commands the press to move to a precise position at a programmable speed and to apply the right amount of force.
To eliminate the impact part tolerance stack-up can have on achieving the gap’s tight tolerance requirement, a measuring station precedes the press station. After receiving the exact measurement for each part,
the master PLC calculates where the end position of the press needs
to be and sends the corresponding pressing profile to the SCHMIDT PressControl. Parts are then indexed to the press station, and the EP345 presses to the target position without any human involvement.
The SCHMIDT
PressControl 600 monitors whether each press cycle passes or fails the manufacturer-established monitoring criteria. For quality assurance, performance results for each press cycle are captured and offloaded to a network using SCHMIDT
®
FileExchange software, thus satisfying vendor-certification requirements.