Solutions in Action
Servo drives ensure precisely managed motion sequences in the new Multipack 2000,
an Allen-Bradley® CompactLogix™ functions as the control technology core.
Allen-Bradley CompactLogix
programmable automation controller
Allen-Bradley Kinetix 5700 servo drives
In the year 1912 a “machine for the production of four-sided, prismatic
objects” was still deemed to be revolution. Holding a corresponding
patent, Benhil was the first company to manufacture semi and fully
automatic packaging machines for margarine and butter. Today, 105
years later, the Neuss-based company, which is just as much a part of
the IMA DAIRY & FOOD as are Erca, Corazza, Gasti, Hamba, Hassia, Hassia
India and Fillshape, is the global market leader for wrapping machines.
No matter whether butter, margarine, or other foodstuffs – Benhil knows
how products ranging from the consistencies fluid to pasty, also those
including particulate content, can be reliably and economically packed
into portions or filled into pre-formed respectively.
As an internationally active company with seven production sites and
several sales and service entities, IMA DAIRY & FOOD develops, produces
and sells individual machines as well as entire packaging lines for the dairy
and food industry. The product portfolio ranges from a broad offering
of filling machines (FS) to form, fill and sealing machines (FFS), and right
up to the wrapping machines mentioned above. “Our machines have a
service life of between fifteen and twenty years. Then they are usually
subjected to a general overhaul and run for another ten to fifteen years.
It is therefore important for us to find a manufacturer who
can guarantee the availability of spare parts at any given
time – and not only globally, but also after several years,”
states Daniel Cerfreda, Director Electrical Engineering at
Benhil, explaining why the company opted to enter into a
technology partnership with Rockwell Automation more
than ten years ago. “At that time we were looking for a
competent, globally active drive technology supplier. Our
intention was to replace the mechanical main shaft with
individual servo axes,” he adds.
A large number of servo drives also ensure precisely
managed motion sequences in the new Multipack 2000,
amongst others during advancing of paper or with regard
to the main drive. “We utilize servos whenever it really
makes sense. In our machines this is especially the case in
the course of all format-flexible movements and wherever
behaviors have to remain constant in terms of their timing,“
reveals Daniel Cerfreda. Specifically speaking, Benhil utilizes
MP-Series™ servo motors as well as EtherNet/IP™ servo
drives from the Kinetix® 5700 series.
Benhil machines have always been a synonym for
extraordinary filling precision. This also applies to the
Multipack 2000: “With this machine we have actually
rounded off our portfolio more, but without compromising
the filling precision – actually the opposite is true,” states
Daniel Cerfreda, hinting ever so slightly that a return
on investment is quickly achieved when purchasing a
Multipack 2000. “This is due to the fact that it is available at
a relatively competitive price although it is highly effective,”
he emphasizes. It convinces by means of its low energy
consumption and its absolutely precise dosing – not too
much and not too little. “The standard deviation amounts
to 0.5 grams at 250 and 0.8 grams at a filling weight of 500
grams,” says the director of electrical engineering at Benhil,
visibly proud of the precision achieved during the filling
process. In general, the Multipack 2000 can tackle filling
weights ranging from 50 to 500 grams. Its output amounts
to 100 packs per minute. Furthermore, the machine features
very quick retooling – even the changeover to a different
format can be realized in less than half an hour.
An Allen-Bradley® CompactLogix™ functions as the control
technology core of the Multipack 2000. “Although this
product is actually intended for the mid-range field, it offers
a lot of »high-end functionality«. All alerts are fitted with
an internal, precise-to-the-microsecond timestamp. This
allows for immediate identification of the point of origin of
the initial fault as opposed to following the trail of inherited
errors,“ states Daniel Cerfreda, providing positive feedback
on the encompassing diagnostic options supported by the
CompactLogix. The Multipack 2000 is operated via a seveninch PanelView™ Plus 7 performance graphics terminal, for
which Daniel Cerfreda is also full of praise by way of closing:
“In the past the smaller displays had a lower resolution.
Thanks to 18-bit color graphics, everything is now also sharp
on 7 inches.“
For additional information please contact:
Daniel Cerfreda,
Director Electrical Engineering
Benhil GmbH
Phone: +49 2131 99 5489
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ima.it
Allen-Bradley, ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Guardmaster, iTRAK, Kinetix, LISTEN. THINK. SOLVE., PowerFlex, PanelView Plus and Rockwell Automation are trademarks of Rockwell Automation, Inc.
EtherNet/IP is a trademark of ODVA Inc.
Trademarks not belonging to Rockwell Automation are property of their respective companies.
Publication OEM-AP608A-EN-P – APRIL 2017
Copyright © 2017 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the EU.