Vertical packaging machine
Source: CAN Newsletter December 2009
Inever is a Spanish vertical packaging machine manufacturer founded in 2002 in Dosrius (Barcelona). The 17-employee company manufactures the StickPack product, a tubular packaging format for granulated and/or liquid products such as coffee, sugar, medicines etc. It is increasingly used in food industry, cosmetics or pharmaceutical industry customized by e.g. Nes tle, Kraft, Gelos and Almirall Prodespharma.
Control system
A couple of years ago the management realized that the previous automation solution was becoming obsolete and a radical change was needed. The main requirements were reducing production costs, increasing productivity and implementing a tool for integration of the automation solution with possibility of remote maintenance. Inev er decided on technologies from B&R, which provide a high degree of modularity and possibility to be integrated in different machine types.
The Spanish manufacturer produces four basic machines adaptable to the requirements of the respective project. With B&R’s Automation Studio tool, it is possible to integrate controllers, visualization units, drives, field-buses, safety technology, etc. into the machines. Program sections created with the tool can be adjusted to specific hardware configurations, which reduce programming.
Equipped with power panels combining control and visualization units in one device, the packaging machines have a simplified topology and require less space in the switching cabinet. The smallest machine is equipped with a PP45 power panel connected to X20 I/ O modules and Acopos servo drives. Communication via CAN network guarantees fast data transfer. Machines with higher performance, which are equipped with a PP400 panel featuring a 5,7‑inch or 10,4‑inch touch screen, communicate via Powerlink.
