Integrated Motion Control
Applications
Smart Belt with 1394 Motion Control
In packaging applications, products are often transported in random fashion from a filling or wrapping operation to a final cartoning machine on a conveyor belt. Many packaging machines require these products to be positioned to a moving reference point (flights, overhead sweeps, etc.). A Òsmart servo beltÓ driven by a brushless servo motor, will provide uniform spacing to match the moving reference point. The servo-controlled belt follows the main machine drive (master), so motion is relative to the machine. The position of the flights is monitored and when a product is detected, a correction distance is calculated and the correction move is performed. The correction move is relative to the machine motion and is added to the speed required to follow the master. This ensures the product will be positioned correctly relative to the flight.
Rockwell Automation Solution
High performance, high accuracy smart belt operation is achieved by combining the flexibility of the Allen-Bradley Graphical Motion Language (GML) programming and the high performance 1394 single axis control system. The low-cost 1394 single axis motion controller can provide maximum accuracy and speed.