Smart Positioning
If it is necessary to change setting positions in a machine frequently and flexibly, intelligent positioning systems are being increasingly used that assist the operator in making and checking settings or even carry out this work fully automatically. Bus-integrated electronic position indicators guide the machine operator during manual adjustment to the target position intuitively and quickly and by communicating the actual value to the machine control ensure seamless process reliability.
Each adjustment spindle is assigned a set position by the machine control. This set value is signaled by field bus to the respective position indicators where it is displayed. Even in large machines with a number of axes it can be seen at a glance where the operator is required. The set and actual value comparison integrated into the position indicator detects any deviation at these points and the LED lights up red while the signals are green on the other axes where adjustment is not required.
Comparison with the classic solution using mechanical position indicators shows: Manual monitoring of each of the individual spindle positions is already unnecessary with this function.
The quality of the produced or packed product is, however, also an important aspect. When the actual values are signaled to the central machine control, it can be guaranteed that all settings that are essential for the process are correct before series production begins.
