A two-axis, electrohydraulic drive controls the gap between rolls of this rubber processing machine to within ±0.01 mm, yet it also allows rapid separation should a malfunction occur.
To maintain this tolerance, the machine requires a closed-loop control ensuring both roller position and accurate sheet thickness across the full width of the sheet. Duplomatic's DCU card maintains this tight tolerance by providing digital control of the machine's position loop.
Furthermore, the machine's setup times have been greatly reduced, thanks to the automatic cycle of calibration and self-learning of the DCU card. This cycle enables the operator to calibrate the gap between the machine's two axes of fixed and adjustable cylinders. This operation is controlled through the machine's PLC or by a remote control supplied by Duplomatic. The parameters of the position loop can be digitally optimized for every axis.
The system not only provides precise gap control, but also controls position of the two cylinder axes as well. This achieves high parallelism, which maintains a uniform thickness of the material throughout its entire width.
The control also allows quick opening of the rolls in case of emergency. This is accomplished with supplemental flow from an accumulator. This setup avoids counter-rotation of the cylinders that otherwise would occur at the end of the emergency procedure — a dangerous operation and the major cause of accidents on these machines.
Material on this page was provided by Greta Mancinelli, of Duplomatic, www.duplomatic.com. Duplomatic products are available in the U. S. from Universal Hydraulics International Ltd. For more information, call (330) 405-1800, or e-mail [email protected].
