当一个多国吹电影公司试图在其工厂获得可信的改进时，它们需要一个关键升级：挤出系统，温度控制区域更灵活，实时监控和调整所有机器条件，更易于使用系统运营商。
该公司寻找马萨诸塞州的Hosokawa Alpine American。Alpine是北美塑料行业的吹薄膜挤出系统供应商，觉得他们只有正确的工作设备。Alpine的Engineering Jay Ragusa的VP表示，Alpine Design团队的时刻有一个“灯泡”时刻。“我们很快意识到我们的新型9层X模型系统将为公司提供完整的区域温度控制系统和远程I / O，加上必要的硬件和触摸屏HMI，为他们的运营商提供一个完全新的过程控制方法。和产品质量监测。“
Ragusa还解释说，这是一个有机会帮助客户拥有新系统的客户，比以前的产品更高级。“We had a very successful machine design from the 1990’s and it had performed extremely well, but we saw dramatic improvements in new controls and data transmission technology from our partner Siemens and their local distributor, Dittman & Greer, a specialist in electric temperature systems and machine controls.” Among these advances, Ragusa notes, were the new zone temperature control system, as well as the Box PC with full automation and visualization software onboard running with WinCC.
Prior to making its final choice, Alpine’s client did its due diligence, calling in various competitors for the business. Thorough testing in the lab pilot plant was conducted, with strong emphasis on component failure analysis, system fault detection and the robust qualities of the competing systems for 24/7 use in the harsh environment of the blown film industry.
After the testing and evaluation process in-house, the decision was made to move forward with Alpine, comprising a new zone temperature control, Profinet communication platform, motors, drives, PLC and touchscreen HMI.
这台新机器包括多达120个单独的温度控制区域。典型系统允许区域温度2-3ºF变化;随着新系统，变化降至小于1ºF。
Ragusa also details other system improvements designed into the new machine. “The new industrial flat panel on the PC has a wider screen for easy viewability. Plus, our older system, while modular, had little remote I/O. The auto-tune function, combined with the better CPU in the PLC, gives us a much stronger package of internal software in combination with hardware. Since we were making the transition within a Siemens protocol, no significant software conversion was required and all data feeds continue on Profinet.”
Overall data transmission has also improved, as the communication speeds are faster, plus the open architecture of the system can convey all data to the other departments seamlessly.
Additionally, the Siemens system includes the plug-and-play remote I/O hardware and the open architecture of the control system. The quick- connect, plug-and-play remote I/O hardware reduces installation, commissioning and replacement time of the system hardware. The open architecture of the control system allows end-user adjustment of control parameters to suit each specific application and stores thousands of recipe data points. The Alpine team routinely customizes the front end of the controller HMI for easier customer training and a seamless transition from legacy systems for operators in use.
在维护方面，客户可以快速确定组件故障，并采取纠正措施或从板载控制器中订购新组件。
Hosokawa Alpine American
www.halpine.com
Filed Under:TECHNOLOGIES + PRODUCTS,HMIs • operator interfaces • monitors,PLCs + PACs
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