More affordable flat-web gauging and control.More Affordable Flat-Web Gauging and Control A scaled-down, but reportedly high-performance flat-web extrusion gauging and control system has been developed by Measurex Corp., Cupertino, Calif. As reported last month (PT, Oct. '90, p. 94), the system is being marketed mainly through extrusion machinery OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and suppliers and is targeted for smaller cast-film and sheet producers. Until now, says Patrick O'Neill Patrick O'Neill was a seventeenth century soldier and the first Count of Tyrone, originator of this line of Irish-Spanish Counts 1622 to 1888. He was the grandson of Hugh O'Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone and the second son of Sean O'Neill, eldest son of Hugh. , marketing manager of the Measurex Industrial Systems Group, the perception of excessive complexity and cost have kept comprehensive gauging and control systems beyond the reach of smaller processors. The FasTrack Extrusion Measurement and Control System is designed to overcome those obstacles. SIMPLICITY IS KEY FasTrack is said to integrate key elements needed for extrusion control into one functional system that is easy to install, use, and maintain. Quick-disconnect devices are provided on all elements for easy installation. The new system consists of hardware elements used in larger systems, as well as redesigned components. The scanner, which has been reconfigured with a brushless d-c drive and enclosed en·close also in·close tr.v. en·closed, en·clos·ing, en·clos·es 1. To surround on all sides; close in. 2. To fence in so as to prevent common use: enclosed the pasture. moving parts Moving parts are the components of a device that undergo continuous or frequent motion, most commonly rotation. "Parts" only include the mechanical components which does not include fuel, or any other gas or liquid. for clean operation, offers high-speed edge-to-edge measurement for tight product control. It supports either a Digitector III beta sensor that reads thickness and mass per unit area, or a noncontacting caliper caliper Instrument that consists of two adjustable legs or jaws for measuring the dimensions of material parts. Spring calipers have an adjusting screw and nut; firm-joint calipers use friction at the joint to hold the legs unmoving. sensor that provides direct measurement of sheet thickness independent of density and chemical composition. Computer electronics are housed in a compact Computer Management Unit, which also provides an interface between the sensor and the operator console. Its floppy-disk drive loads the program initially and stores site-dependent parameters such as calibration, control tuning, and product recipes. An operations console provides interactive, color coded Noun 1. color code - system using colors to designate classifications code - a coding system used for transmitting messages requiring brevity or secrecy alphanumeric alphanumeric (ăl'fən  mĕr`ĭk) or alphameric (ăl'fəmĕr`ĭk), the set of letters and numbers. displays. Direct digital control loops are said to provide stability required for precise regulation of screw speed and line speed, and operating supervisory loops reduce product variations. An Autoprofile Control Interface for automatic dies is available as an option. The control provides decoupling Decoupling The occurrence of returns on asset classes diverging from their normal pattern of correlation. Notes: Take for example stock and corporate bond returns, which normally rise and fall together. and compensates for interaction between die bolts, calculates nonlinear A system in which the output is not a uniform relationship to the input. nonlinear - (Scientific computation) A property of a system whose output is not proportional to its input. neck-in at the die, and calculates for nonuniform response characteristics, regardless of the product being run. DESIGNED FOR EASY USE The software driving the system is newly issued and incorporates user-friendly features. A dedicated button on the membrane panel summons summons: see procedure. summons In law, written notification that one is required to appear in court. In civil (noncriminal) cases, it notifies a defendant that he or she must appear and defend (e.g. any video display. Setup and entry of product identification and recipe data are provided for product changes. Display graphs of any process input or variable can be called to the screen. Each variable can be plotted around its nominal value Nominal Value The stated value of an issued security that remains fixed, as opposed to its market value, which fluctuates. Notes: When referring to fixed-income securities, the nominal value is also the face value. or in absolute units, and the sample rate is operator selectable. Tuning and routine maintenance are designed to be done by on-site personnel without highly developed software skills. Displays are provided for control tuning, scanner setup, sensor calibration, and verification. Diagnostic displays provide troubleshooting information. An in-depth maintenance training guide is available to customers. SUPPORT FROM OEMs Measurex claims several advantages to processors by distributing the system through extrusion equipment OEMs. The customer purchases the system from the overall line supplier, who may also install the control system, ensuring compatibility and fast startup. Once the system is installed, Measurex will continue to work with the customer directly for long-term service and support. Reduced installation costs allow Measurex to discount the system to OEMs, resulting in savings to the processor. Although price will be determined by the line supplier, O'Neill estimates 25-33% savings over comparable systems with the same level of performance. He estimates that to mean around $120,000, if the system were priced separately. (CIRCLE 3) PHOTO : Measurex's FasTrack system is claimed to offer cost-efective high-performance measurement, control, and operator interface capabilities for flat die extrusion lines. It will be available through extrusion line OEMs. |
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