Control technology supports coating machines

The platform incorporates vacuum, wet and digital coating capabilities, with the vacuum coating solution described as a radical and disruptive technology innovation.

Working with partner, HMK, Siemens’ control technology, including S120 and 1F7 motors, S7-1500 SIMATIC advanced controllers, IPCs and HMIs, now form part of the control solution to be offered on the new machines going forward.

Gary Kitchin, managing director at HMK, comments: “HMK has worked with E&R for a number of years, specialising in control solutions. E&R has developed a range of coating/converting machines as part of a new modular production platform, including the ability to handle vacuum, wet and digital coating requirements. As part of the development, we were able to demonstrate the performance and reliability advantages of Siemens’ control technology. The technology has been proven on initial development machines and will be the main control architecture on future purchased machines.”

Ben Clements, managing director at Emerson & Renwick, says: “We are already seeing high levels of interest in this cutting-edge modular platform from the OEM market. The vacuum machine, in particular, has proven particularly popular. Large end users have visited our premises to view the technology in action, and we have already taken multiple orders as customers can see the benefits it delivers. The coating solution is a real area of focus for the business and we believe the machines we are developing are truly ground-breaking.

“By partnering with Siemens and HMK we know we are accessing world-class technology control solutions to support the platform, and believe we have current ‘best in class’ control functionality, as well as a future proofed control solution going forward.” 

Keith Thornhill, business manager – production machines Siemens UK & Ireland, concludes: “This has been an exciting project to be involved with. The fact that our control technology, alongside the system expertise provided by HMK, provides the answer for E&R as it continues to innovate and develop real advances in coating machinery capability is testament to what can be achieved through effective collaboration.”