Modular machine automation

摘要

Instead of valves mounted all over the pouch machine, one valve bank distributes air throughpout, which reduces wiring and is expandable for more functionality, top left, above. A modular air-preparation unit rounds out the pneumatics package, top right. With the integrated motor and drive platform, the daisy-chain approach to wiring helps with the modular aspect KHS wanted, as well as adding to the clean design of the machine, lower left. The in-line distributed I/O system allows the I/O to be placed throughout the machine, over standard fieldbus interfaces, which reduces wiring costs and simplifies integration, lower right. A steady shift from traditional can, bottle and carton packaging to standup pouch containers has been taking place on the shelves of the local grocery store for more than a decade.