Our URC™ software module is engineered specifically for controlling unwind and rewind applications. The program is embedded within the controller of a Unico drive, eliminating the need for an external control rack.
When used in conjunction with a programmable controller, the drive forms a powerful automation work cell that can either stand-alone or be easily integrated with other Unico automation cells to build a complete control system for a metal-processing line. Embedded control reduces system complexity while taking full advantage of the exceptional performance, flexibility, and ease of use of Unico drives.
The unwind/rewind continuously updates its system calculations. The outside diameter, mass, and inertia of the coil are updated once every revolution. Dynamic inertia compensation is calculated to provide smoother acceleration and deceleration of the coil.
The coil diameter may be tracked using an external device such as a sonic wired to one of the analog input channels. Three diameter outputs can be used to enable or disable certain events when the coil reaches user-defined diameters. These outputs are normally used as early warning signals.
The unwind/rewind can be configured to provide either forward tension, for applications such as recoilers, or reverse tension, for applications such as uncoilers. Separate adjustments provide independent control over tension while threading material and while running.
Some operations load coils randomly without consideration as to whether the coil reels from the top or the bottom. An underpeel/overpeel feature allows coils to be wound or unwound without dictating how the coil must be loaded.
The linear amount of material on the coil is continuously estimated as the coil builds up or down based upon the thickness of the material and the inner and outer coil diameters.
The software keeps track of the amount of material that has been uncoiled or recoiled on the line.
An early-warning output can be turned on when the amount of material remaining on the coil reaches a user-defined length.
The program can detect a broken material strip or clock-springing coil by monitoring the velocities of the motor and master follow the signal. A fault is generated if an excessive-velocity difference is detected.
A torque limit mode can be used when the drive follows a velocity signal but requires control over its overall torque output. The torque limit value can be regulated using the torque limit selection or adjusted by analog input.
Most Unico drives can be configured for transducerless control using an internal velocity estimator. The drive can follow a reference velocity and rate-limit this velocity using the acceleration and deceleration setups. This configuration allows the unwinder or rewinder to act as a master line control with its input being a target velocity. The drive can also operate as a simple slave.
A velocity cruise-control feature in master velocity mode allows the drive to be accelerated, decelerated, or resume its last speed when the appropriate input is set.
A transducerless mode of operation is available for less demanding velocity control applications with motors that have no feedback device and do not require position control.
The control can be customized to a specific installation using UEdit™, a powerful Windows-based programming tool that lets users add their own ladder logic and function block programming.
