Application Note: High Speed Cartridge CheckWeighing
Summary: To upgrade from cartridge
check-weighing by hand to a
completely automatic High-speed
cartridge check-weighing machine
in a Zone 1 Hazardous area
ADI had been check-weighing the amount of gunpowder in
their 25mm cartridges by hand, a slow, dangerous and
tedious process. KIW successfully tendered for a project
to upgrade this process to an automatic check-weighing
machine that could accept cartridges directly out of the
cartridge assembly machine, and feed accepted cartridges
into the inspection machine.
The custom made KIW machine has dramatically increased
the production rate to 30-40 Cartridges per minute, and
has automated parts of their production record keeping.
To achieve the most accurate results the KIW machine
split the in-feed track into 2 separate tracks. These 2
separate tracks had weighing platforms to check-weigh
the cartridges. The 2 tracks also had a rejection point
where underweight cartridges would be pushed onto the
rejection track. Cartridges that passed would move down
the tracks until reaching an incline conveyor, which fed
the cartridges into the existing inspection machine.
To control this system KIW uses 2 PR1713 System
Controllers that have an in-built PLC. Using sensors at
specific locations in the check-weigher machine the KIW
designed program could precisely time the solenoids and
detect if there were any jams in the system. This
resulted in a safe and reliable process control.
The KIW system has the following features:
- Fast precise check-weighing at up to 40 cartridges
per minute in a Zone 1 Hazardous area
– PR1713 Software keeps a user defined database of
cartridges that can be selected for check-weighing
using the system
-Installed safety covers which halt the machine if
removed
- Fault Detection and interlocking with the assembly
machine to stop assembly if fault is detected.
- Combination of Pneumatic and Electronic Control
ADI can now safely rely on the un-matched reliability of
the PR1713 System controller to keep their production
line running smoothly for years to come. The flexibility
of the PR1713 assures it can be adapted to meet any
future requirements.
- The PR1713 System Controller used in this Application is
ideal for almost any weighing system including:
- Check-weighing
- Batch control
- Flow control
- Filling Systems
- Blending Systems
- Truck weighing.
Please feel free to contact us for further
information: