Beckhoff TwinCAT Robot Kinematics Library
MULTIVAC has successfully met extremely stringent hygiene requirements with its ingeniously designed packaging system for the food industry. This also applies to handling modules with dedicated pick and place robots. In terms of control technology, the solution is based on Beckhoff TwinCAT automation software and its robotic kinematics library and ultra-high-speed EtherCAT communication system. Not only does the Beckhoff AM8800 series servo motors ensure high dynamic motion, their “hygienic design” also helps the handling robots have a completely open structure, making them easy to clean.
Headquartered in Wolfertschwenden, Germany, MULTIVACSeppHaggenmullerGmbH&Co.KG is a full-service provider of packaging solutions for the food, pharmaceutical and consumer products industries. In addition to packaging machinery, MULTIVAC's product portfolio includes handling modules for handling and transport, inspection systems for quality control and foreign object detection, and marking and labeling solutions for different packaging types. The food industry is the most important application area for MULTIVAC solutions, where efficient, accurate and – most importantly – hygienic products such as meat, fish, cheese, vegetables and ready-to-eat foods are required.
2. PC-based control technology applied to high-efficiency packaging process
MULTIVAC relies on Beckhoff's PC-based control technology to automate all of its standard packaging machines. Back in 2005, the company replaced its microprocessor-based controllers to meet the growing demands of increasingly complex machines, enabling more powerful features than ever before with higher computing power and memory. In addition, PC control technology enables communication connections via Ethernet and OPC to be simplified through standard interfaces and standard software libraries, minimizing development costs.
According to AloisAllgaier, head of control technology at MULTIVAC, another advantage of PC control technology is its excellent scalability: "On the one hand, we can always choose the most suitable embedded controller for the machine, whether it is small or It's big, but it provides the same functionality every time in software. On the other hand, thanks to the modular and flexible EtherCATI/O system, I/O devices can be precisely and economically adapted to the needs of the application. For AloisAllgaier, packaging machinery can be efficiently modularized with the flexible EtherCAT terminal system: "Our machines are centrally controlled by the CX1020 or CX1030 embedded controllers and are distributed in three levels at the I/O level. Separation between control cabinets. This means, for example, that all data acquisition and communication of a forming station can be implemented in the relevant control cabinet module. The communication required with the central controller is achieved by the ultra-high-speed EtherCAT system, which is an important factor in determining the choice of PC control technology. Ultimately, the clock speed that can be achieved with packaging machinery is directly dependent on the ability to ensure that the control technology is as short as possible. ”
