Siemens: Variable Frequency Drives - Success Stories

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HIGH SPEED FORM, FILL & SEAL PIONEER ENHANCES CLOUD SPPS MACHINE WITH SIEMENS SIMOTION®

Cloud Corp. LLC, Des Plaines, Ill., is no stranger to pioneering new technologies. It was the first to develop a high-speed, form, fill and seal process for sugar packets. Today Cloud is the first U.S. company to showcase Siemens Energy & Automation’s SIMOTION® technology that combines motion control, logic and other technological functions in a single, integrated system.

The SIMOTION system is installed on Cloud's third generation, servo-driven, Soluble Pouch Packaging System (SPPS). According to Cloud Electrical Engineer Todd Hartman, the company specified SIMOTION to accommodate an expanding export market.

"We engineered this machine for global acceptance and to tighten up the accuracy of the process", Hartman said. Siemens has unmatched global capabilities. In addition, by using SIMOTION I didn't have to write a logic control program, then write a motion program in a separate device, and try to communicate between the two. Everything is built into a single platform. That works very well for us.

According to Siemens, SIMOTION greatly reduces the time and cost associated with implementing machine control by integrating machine functions within a runtime software (operating system) running on PC, controller or drive platforms, and configured with the company's user friendly Siemens SCOUT engineering software.

1,000 Packages Per Minute

Hartman says the SPPS machine forms, fills and seals in excess of 1,000 packages, containing liquid or powder, per minute. The process begins when preheated sheet of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is applied to a vacuum-forming drum. The PVA sheet is formed into eight pockets across that are filled by a feed conveyor or a liquid metering pump. Another PVA sheet is placed on top of the pockets and sealed. A heat knife separates the columns and a stationary knife separates the rows.

The packets are then boxed and distributed. Designed to dissolve in water, the packets are widely used with detergent, fertilizer, industrial chemicals and other products.

The SIMOTION C230-2 system on the SPPS machine operates off a standard controller platform. There are servo axes for in-feed, drum and knife functions controlled by Siemens SIMODRIVE®611U drives. Two other axes applying moisture for lidding and scrap reclamation are controlled with Siemens MICROMASTER M420 drives. The system communicates via PROFIBUS at 12 Mbaud. A single SIMATIC® TP270 10.4" color touch screen allows the operator to access machine options and perform diagnostics.

"Siemens demonstrated how SIMOTION could provide for all of our machine logic and motion control in one unit while controlling three temperature control loops," Hartman said. "This Totally Integrated Automation concept convinced us SIMOTION was the way to go. We anticipate our bottom fill technology will give us 30% to 40% in materials savings above traditional form, fill and seal machines."

Variable Speed Drives and Drive Solutions

Whatever your situation, your industry or your specification, Siemens offers the drives that fit your needs. If one drive doesn't fit your exact requirements, you can be sure Siemens has an alternative that will. It's part of our commitment to completely address your application, process, power and automation needs.

There are many choices in today’s competitive business world , but when you're selecting your drives, some of the most important components of your system, there's only one name you can count on for all the answers you need – Siemens. When you choose a Siemens drive, you get it all:

Flexible products and diverse product lines
Integrated systems
Innovation
Industry knowledge and application expertise
Global services and local support

A Spectrum of Possibilities

Whatever your situation, your industry or your specification, Siemens offers the drives that fit your needs. In fact, many of our products offer out-of-the-box functionality and are ready to use. Not only does each product offer the flexibility to be used in numerous situations, but the diversity of the product lines opens up a world of possibilities.

Driven to Succeed. Integrated to Win.

Our drives and systems perform exceptionally in a diverse array of systems and situations, but when they're a part of Siemens Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) or Totally Integrated Power (TIP), the advantages are truly extraordinary. Exclusively from Siemens, TIA and TIP offer a rare combination of benefits thanks to their standardization of components and the flexibility to change as needed.

Increased reliability and availability
Increased system transparency
Compatible hardware and software components
Reduced hardware costs due to standardization
Reduced engineering costs with faster design and setup
Reduced training expenses
Reduced maintenance costs
Reduced time to market
Increased productivity
Easy adaptability to existing systems
Simplified wiring and installation
Power match with motors and motion control
Reduced risk

These features allow you the freedom to push performance limits, minimize costs and make the most of the abilities of our drives and motion control systems.

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