Cut-to-Length or Cut-to-Mark
The flying cutoff control cuts a continuously moving strip of material into lengths by accelerating a die to synchronize with the material, make its cut, and return home to await the next cycle. A measuring wheel is used to track the movement of the material. Two different modes offer the choice of cutting prescribed lengths or cutting relative to printed registration marks or holes using a mark detector to scan the material. Windowing features minimize spurious mark errors.
Optimum Home Position
To maximize production, the software calculates an ideal home position to which the die returns between cuts. This is the furthest point the die must go to accommodate a given length at maximum line speed. This approach dramatically improves the accuracy of cuts made while the line is accelerating and increases production when cutting short lengths. Alternately, a traditional fixed or dynamically calculated home position may be used.
Batch Control
Two different part lengths and batch sizes can be specified at once, allowing the operator to set up the next order while the current one is running. A single length may also be produced indefinitely. Orders change automatically at the end of a batch or when requested by the operator. A customizable early warning feature indicates when a batch is nearly complete. If a defective piece is removed, a reject part input lets the operator correct the part count.
Crop Modes
Selectable cropping methods provide a choice between cutting a fixed-length piece, cutting the shortest possible length for the given line speed, and cutting a length specified by how long the operator holds down the crop button.
Simulators
Several simulation tools facilitate setting up, testing, and troubleshooting a flying cutoff system. A line simulator makes it possible to run the cutoff without material by simulating the feedback that the measuring wheel would provide as the line ramps up, ramps down, or runs at speed. A mark detector simulator produces marks at a specified separation to allow testing in cut-to-mark mode. A shear simulator is useful for testing carriage travel without firing the ram.
Cut Engage Tuning
Alternate tuning can be used during the duration of a cut to accommodate flying saws and other machines having lengthy cut engage times.
Operator Interface
An operator interface provision provides dedicated support for UNICO’s P-Terminal, an optional four-line by 40-column liquid crystal display, and a keypad that mounts on a panel. Simple, function-key-driven screens let the operator enter batches, view line status and production information, modify cut-to-mark settings, calibrate the measuring wheel trim, as well as access setup parameters. Other operator devices can easily be connected using one of the serial communication options.
Warning and Protection
The program detects and protects against a number of fault conditions specific to a flying cutoff application, including out-of-tolerance parts, forward rack overtravel, and line-too-fast situations where the line is unable to produce the given length at its current speed. The software can also detect missing or erroneous marks and recover by making the cut at the expected location.
Serial Communication Options
A variety of serial communication protocols are supported for interfacing with a programmable controller or operator interface. The DF1 and ANSI protocols are standard. The drive can also communicate via Remote I/O, Modbus Plus, ControlNet, and Profibus using the appropriate communication module.
