Industry 4.0-capable automation components for film production

From 19 to 26 October, K, the world's largest trade fair for the plastics industry, is once again on the agenda in Düsseldorf. As a specialist in the automation of film production, Erhardt+Leimer will be presenting a new generation of web guiding and web tension control systems with a focus on the end-to-end digital networkability of the components. For customers interested in quality assurance, a print image observation system for packaging presses will be on display, as well as a system for measuring basis weight by ultrasound. Erhardt+Leimer will be located in Hall 4 on Stand C20.
All current E+L components for web guiding are 'IoT 4.0-ready', i.e. suitable for integration into the latest generation of production systems. The devices, which are manufactured in high volumes, be they sensors, rotating frames or high-precision linear drives, are digital throughout and can be networked both actively and passively. This new technology, which E+L offers under the name EL.NET, therefore fits perfectly into the user's manufacturing and ERP systems to enable automated and documented production. Device and system data from E+L products can be backed up and restored as needed. The powerful products offer both direct and remote access for service and can be easily expanded functionally via data master or PLC.
The latest generation components with integrated web server and intuitive administration via browser support technical staff in achieving continuous and optimised production. This is done primarily with the integrated high-tech analysis tools, which can be used directly without additional software. This reduces or completely avoids downtimes and sustainably ensures quality.

Maintenance-free web guider with EL.NET technology
Representing this new EL.NET product generation, E+L will present at the K, among other things, the DRB33 rotary frame system of the ELGUIDER product family. The wear-free brushless drive technology ensures the highest control accuracy and control dynamics. The web guider can be combined with various sensors, such as the FX 42/52 ultrasonic edge sensor for transparent plastic materials or the FE 52 colour line sensor for printed webs with line or colour contrasts. Motorised positioning of the sensors for frequent format changes is optionally integrated. The web guider can be networked via Ethernet with EL.NET control systems in star or series topology. Service and diagnostics are easily possible via web-based management with a standard web browser.

Basis weight measurement with an accuracy of 0.01 g/m2
ELTIM is an ultrasonic-based, radiation-free sensor for non-contact determination of the basis weight and thickness of thin materials such as plastic film and coatings. Thanks to the high measuring frequency and the small detection range, ELTIM is characterised by a high resolution transverse to the web running direction. The accuracy with thin films is up to 0.01 g/m2. The sensor is insensitive to web height variations and has a high tolerance for material composition. On request, it can be equipped with environmental sensors, i.e. with integrated temperature, air pressure and humidity measurement.

New functions for the ELSCAN OMS6 video system
In 2017 Erhardt+Leimer launched the ELSCAN OMS6 video system for print image monitoring. In the meantime, this system, which the manufacturer describes as the high-end system in its portfolio, is running on several hundred machines worldwide. On these presses, ELSCAN OMS6 ensures that register, print quality and colour fidelity meet customer specifications. Waste is reduced to a minimum and the performance of the presses can be optimally utilised.
OMS6 now offers several new software functions. The new functions, some of which were already available with the standard OMS4 system, include master image comparison, DeltaE colour monitoring and the haze or striping error module. The master image comparison enables the detection of the smallest changes in the print image during production. Another high-precision control function is the new DeltaE colour monitoring. This allows colour measuring points to be set in the repeat to detect colour changes in the smallest nuances, which are then displayed as a DeltaE value.
At 234 x 124 mm, the ELSCAN OMS6 offers the largest viewing area in the ELSCAN product family as well as the patented "dualView" technology with two 12-megapixel cameras. Depending on the zoom level, the telephoto or wide-angle camera is activated. During zooming, the system imperceptibly switches between the cameras. Printed images can thus be displayed with a multiple of their resolution. This unique concept allows almost instantaneous zooming up to the highest resolution. With the OMS6 version, this results in an image resolution of 4k quality (2 x 4096 pixels), which is reflected in above-average edge sharpness. Thanks to the high-precision camera positioning via the motorised, maintenance-free crosshead guide with E+L's own drive, which enables a positioning speed of 1,000 mm/s, the system is suitable for working widths of up to 3,250 mm.

Download: Erhardt+Leimer at K 2022

The E+L stand at Techtextil is located in Hall 12.0, Stand A61.

Download: Erhardt+Leimer at Techtextil Erhardt+Leimer at Techtextil