Hi,
I am looking at doing a control upgrade for an old packaging machine. It uses an absolute encoder measuring 0 - 360 degrees for each cycle of one of the packs. It has channels in the program that determine certain digital signals such as PE's etc must be on or off at certain degree positions (windows) of the cycle of the pack. It runs reasonably slow 25 cycles per minute on average.
The more critical part is it wraps the packs with shrink film. Some feed rollers with a clutch and a brake as well as cut knife need to operate each cycle at precise positions to maintain the correct tension on the film to be able to cut and feed for each pack.
It's a 30 year old machine so it's nothing ground breaking. I have only dealt with incremental encoders on a HSC card on an SLC so integrating an absolute encoder in a compact logix system is new to me.
Can someone make a recommendation to me or offer some advice as to whether the AB Ethernet absolute encoders would be a good option and can I do all the encoder related functions in the normal ladder / scan time?
I have not purchased any hardware yet so I am open to suggestions as to which processor etc to go for.
Thanks for the advice.
I am looking at doing a control upgrade for an old packaging machine. It uses an absolute encoder measuring 0 - 360 degrees for each cycle of one of the packs. It has channels in the program that determine certain digital signals such as PE's etc must be on or off at certain degree positions (windows) of the cycle of the pack. It runs reasonably slow 25 cycles per minute on average.
The more critical part is it wraps the packs with shrink film. Some feed rollers with a clutch and a brake as well as cut knife need to operate each cycle at precise positions to maintain the correct tension on the film to be able to cut and feed for each pack.
It's a 30 year old machine so it's nothing ground breaking. I have only dealt with incremental encoders on a HSC card on an SLC so integrating an absolute encoder in a compact logix system is new to me.
Can someone make a recommendation to me or offer some advice as to whether the AB Ethernet absolute encoders would be a good option and can I do all the encoder related functions in the normal ladder / scan time?
I have not purchased any hardware yet so I am open to suggestions as to which processor etc to go for.
Thanks for the advice.