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HT3500
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Introduction
The HT3500 machine has been developed in response to market needs to process more and more sophisticated materials, coupled with ease of operation and simple operator controls. The HT3500 incorporates extra extrusion pressure capability which allows for increased use of the machines for screening or filtration of compounds. The ability of the HT3500 to achieve repeatable performances in terms of speed and consistent accuracy is due the introduction of the very latest in automation equipment
Key Features
To make the HT3500 machine one the most accurate and ergonomic machines in the range certain features had to be added or improved . By using the Allen-Bradley motion controllers and software it has bought our machine into the next millennium.
Graphic control system
The Allen-Bradley software has allowed us to redesign how the machine is being controlled by the operator. The operators control panel is now a graphical interface with touch screen controls which require the minimum of operator input. Operation is simple, and by using on screen graphics to prompt for next action, the need for multi-language displays is eliminated.
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Enhanced hydraulic controls
The hydraulics of the machine have been designed with a more streamline approach which has lead to a more accessible power pack design. In addition there have been improvements made to the hydraulic system to incorporate a computer controlled proportional valve which controls the speed of the ram. The incorporation of the latest variable displacement pump allows us to control very accurately the flow of oil at both high and low displacements.
Automatic self adjustment
Both the ram and the cutter speed are directly controlled by the computer. This allows the computer to re-calculate and adjust the control ratio, during production, to maintain accurate blanks.
HT3500 Operations
In the programming of the computer controller there was a direction towards making the machine more user friendly or ergonomic. This we believe has been achieved by introducing a graphical control panel. These graphics cover all aspects of the machine's operation, recipe handling and maintenance.
Safety and Security
To use the machine you first need to "login". Here it asks you for your name and password making the machine only operational for specific people. In addition to this there are different levels of passwords that allows the various user different levels of access. For example the operators have only access to the functions needed to run the machine but the supervisors have access to areas like maintenance, recipe editing and fault finding.
Simple Operations
Once you have entered the main menu you can start to input the data about the compound being used and the number of blanks required. This is done in the new product identification menu where you can also enter the parameters of the machine. This procedure is only necessary the first time a new product is run. In the operation screen there are a number of different symbols which prompts the operator to complete different tasks.
Lets look at a typical cycle of operation . Once the machine has been loaded with the rubber and the head or loading hatch has been closed an extrude graphic is highlighted together with the extrude button. The machine then starts and the first blanks are checked for accuracy. By inputting the preliminary blanks weight into the machine's control system the machine can automatically re-adjust its algorithms to produce the required weight.
The HT3500 continues to perform until the required number of blanks has been reached ( as been set up in the product identification menu) and when the required number has been reached the machine stops. Any amount of rubber left in the barrel is shown graphically and, provided no compound change is required, dies can be changed using the front die change facility, the blank counter is reset to the new number of blanks required and the machine restarted. The operators involvement is minimal.
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The main operation screen not only shows you what is happening in the machine but it also allows you to enter specific data which controls the machine like ram speed and cutter velocity.
As the control panel is graphical, it allows the operator to check oil temperature ,oil pressure , barrel temperature , cutter velocity, on the screen at any time during the operation.
Preset Maintenance alarms
Serviceability and ease of maintenance is of vital importance and the facilities contained within the system allows constant monitoring of all mechanical and electronic elements of the control system. Regular maintenance requirements are displayed on the screen and are controlled by pre-set data and independent internal clock. There are also check lists which need to be filled in either daily, weekly or monthly.
To aid in the maintenance and cleaning of the machine there is an option of having an extended centre fitted to the machine. This allows the operator to clean the whole barrel and ram head easier which is ideal if you are changing the colour or properties of the rubber constantly.
Data input and storage
The recipe handling screen allows the operator/supervisor to create new product specifications. These recipes can be edited and stored for further use. Due to this it can save time and effort setting up the machine for the many different types of compound, dies and machine properties being used.
Trend menu allows the operator to analysis the performance of specific areas of the machine like the machine barrel temperature and pressure or the velocity of the cutter. The trend screen shows a graph of the machine performance in real time which is ideal for assisting in the fault finding procedure.
To help with the setting up and editing of recipes there is an option of having additional scales which are directly linked to the controller via an RS-232 link.
Windows Compatible
The software used to provide the graphical interface is compatible with Windows 95, 98, 2000 and XP. This means that it also compatible with many software packages like Access and Excel. These packages can be used to give full data analysis via databases and spreadsheets. Full data retrieval is available to satisfy quality control demands (i.e. ISO 9000)
As the software is compatible with many other packages it is also possible to print off any spread sheets that you have created.
There is also an Ethernet card fitted to the computer allowing the supervisor to create of the following data logging models: audit trails, alarm reports, machine process conditions, and maintenance acknowledgment.
Worldwide service support
The service of all the Barwell machines has been a priority for us for many years and with the introduction of modems it is now possible to communicate and run diagnostics checks on machines which are many miles away.
In addition, our spare parts are stocked in key areas around the world and to support this we have world wide Allen- Bradley service and spares coverage.
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