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03/18/2014
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Packaging OEM offers multitouch enabled machinesInside Machines: Edson Packaging, a manufacturer of case packing machinery, turns the page to a new era of multitouchenabled machinery, putting an industrial spin on one of the most popular consumer electronics technologies.Shane Novacek
Machinery original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are starting to incorporatethe intuitive multitouch display functionality well known by many who have grownaccustomed to using smartphones and tablets. Multitouch technology forcomputer touchscreens has become so pervasive that it's not uncommon forchildren to know how to play a game of Angry Birds (by Rovio Entertainment)about the same time they learn to talk. With this type of interface common in oureveryday lives, it has also begun to shape the expectations of users of industrialhuman machine interface (HMI) technology. Long before the first tablet reachedconsumer hands, Edson Packaging, based in Hamilton, Ontario, had beenintegrating new enabling technologies into case packing machinery for a widerange of industries, especially for tissue products.
Edson continued that trend with the introduction of multitouch enabled casepacking machinery. A 2012 acquisition by Pro Mach provided a new business structure at Edson Packaging, which offeredmore resources for initiatives such as lean manufacturing and other initiatives to advance packaging technology.
"When we were a privately owned company, we invested 3% to 5% of our revenue into R&D, which certainly was quite good,"recalled Brianne Moar, sales and marketing, Edson Packaging. "Since becoming a part of Pro Mach, we now investsignificantly more revenue into R&D, bolstering our competitive advantage in the packaging industry."
Multitouch helps machine operators
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After intense R&D efforts and attention to customer feedback, the companyintroduced the Edson Packaging InteleSuite, a range of enabling solutions thatpromotes connected machinery in the packaging industry. Early innovationsinclude Edson Packaging InteleLink, a solution based on near fieldcommunication (NFC) technology. InteleLink provides instant transfer ofinformation through radio frequencies, similar to "tap to pay" chips integrated intosome credit cards. This feature provides instant access to videos, PDF files,images, and links to blogs, and enables directs phone calls to Edson Packagingsupport. Users simply tap an NFCenabled phone or tablet and the requestedinformation is instantly transferred to the device.
Another part of the InteleSuite isEdson Packaging InteleTül, a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tracking system for change part tools. InteleTülverifies that the right tooling is placed on the machine, which avoids costlyequipment collisions that could damage the machine and cause downtime forseveral hours or days.
Also in the InteleSuite is the EdsonPackaging InteleVüe, introduced onan Edson SR3550 highspeedhorizontal case packer machine atthe Pack Expo 2013 trade show inLas Vegas. InteleVüe is a multitouch enabled packaging machineinterface that uses a 24in. multitouch control panel and industrial
PC (IPC). The Edson Packaging machine can store many file types that can beenlarged with typical multitouch gestures such as zooming, scrolling, flicking, andothers. In addition, videos for setup, training, tutorials, and troubleshooting can bestored. Implementation of live video feeds that display and record machineprocesses also is possible.
The IPC has a third generation Intel Core i7 processor (2.3 GHz, 4 cores) and is designed to match the vibrationsspecifications and operating temperature requirements for Edson Packaging machinery. The compact design is sleek andsaves cabinet space. Edson uses a 64 GB solidstate drive for stability and reliability, and 15 to 25 times more storage capacitythan the prior solution.
Zooming in on new HMI functionality
Edson Packaging began its InteleVüe initiative to use multitouch technology shortly after Hannover Fair 2013.
Jeff Werner, Edson vice president of technology, said, "New multitouchtechnology for industrial applications stood out. We recognized early on that multitouch technology that enables useful and compelling new features would becomea big selling point for our customers," Werner explained.
"We always strive to expand machine interface capability and utilize the latesttechnologies that most people have grown accustomed to. So Edson asked, 'whycan't you use functions commonly used on tablets and smartphones on yourcapital equipment?' The answer today, obviously, is that you can. Still, Edson isearly to the game so our customers enjoy a significant edge with these featuresthat most other machine builders are not providing yet."
InteleVüe's ability to easily integrate video and all kinds of machine data on the
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multitouch HMI became very important for Edson. Increased resolution "enables us to put meaningful trend data up on thescreen," Werner explained.
"Instead of seeing square waves, we actually see curves and much improvedtrend data. Edson has also created incredible value through the ability to integraterich multimedia for training, tutorial, and troubleshooting purposesnone of thatwas possible with the previous...HMI hardware.
"Also, fivefinger multitouch can boost functionality and give us the ability to create useful features such as rotary dials forjogging servo axes, fine tuning speeds, etc. Another possibility is to include twohanded confirmation on the screen," Wernerexplained. The elegant construction and design of the control panels was another key consideration for Edson: "We and ourcustomers appreciate a very slim and sleeklooking display. The fact that we could select a 24in. multitouch screen alsoprovided a much larger display area than we typically would have through any of the traditional singletouch HMI screens.There is simply no contest when comparing the two panel types."
Multitouch reduces risk for operators
Not only has Edson Packagingincreased user functionality andaccess to machine data withInteleVüe and multitouchtechnology, the company hasimproved operator safety. The needfor operators to go inside themachine for changeovers andmaintenance has been drasticallyreduced because of the amount ofinformation available from thecontrol panel/IPC when paired witha web cam or highspeed camera.For example, when plant personnel are troubleshooting or setting up for a new product that has never been manufacturedbefore, they can see the machine process safely from the outside by viewing on the control panel.
In terms of viewing angles, Edson can implement the control panel on a swing arm that pivots around a central point, but somemachines, such as the one demonstrated at Pack Expo 2013, can feature a linear rail system for the display to glide it backand forth. This mechanical addon permits full travel of the control panel down one side of the machine with an approximate 10ft travel range. This provides enhanced functionality, more flexible positioning of the HMI, and a clearer view of the display asmachine operators perform setup routines.
"This translates to far fewer instances of the operator needing to be within a hazard zone," Werner reported. "This is veryimportant because every single time an operator must enter the machine to verify product position, highvoltage power to theservo motors must be turned off. Servos have an expected life cycle of a certain number of powerup and shutdownsequences. If the operator can view the inside of the machine without having to go through the guard equipment and powerdown the servos, it translates into fewer power cycles and higher life expectancy for numerous components," Werner said.Because of the control panel video feed, "required power cycles to the safety circuit have decreased by at least 25%."
While Edson Packaging has enjoyed immediate positive results with InteleVüe, including very tangible ones by using multitouch technology, the company marches on in modernizing the technology on its machines.
"We will continue developing and improving our InteleSuite offering, includingmany new installations and even retrofits," using a 24in. multi touch controlpanel, Werner said.
Additional automation innovations may be incorporated into the new top load Edson Packaging Raptor case packing machine,he suggested.
3/18/2015 Packaging OEM offers multitouch enabled machines | Control Engineering
http://www.controleng.com/singlearticle/packagingoemoffersmultitouchenabledmachines/0695e1fce783aeb8d3873426240fd994.html 4/5
Shane Novacek is marketing communications manager, Beckhoff Automation. Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager,CFE Media, Control Engineering, [email protected].
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This Control Engineering April Inside Machines article has additional information,photos, and a link to productspecific details at the bottom of this posting withmore photos.
www.edson.com
www.beckhoff.ca
www.packexpo.com
Key concepts
Multitouch human machine interfaces help a machine builder to:
Provide a familiar operator experienceLower riskIncrease functionality Consider this How could multitouch technologies help your installed base?
ONLINE extra
As Edson Packaging celebrates its 50th anniversary, about 90% of North American tissue mills have an Edson Packagingmachine somewhere in the plant. In 2012, just prior to the company's halfcentury anniversary, Edson was acquired by ProMach, one of the largest packaging machinery consortiums in North America. Now Edson is part of the endofline packaginggroup within Pro Mach, which is one of several other groups, including primary packaging, flexible packaging, materialhandling, as well as identification and tracking.
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Arvind singh , IN, India, 07/24/14 10:01 PM:
nice one
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