Case Study
Twice the speed and improved quality for Greek tortilla producer
Problem
A new conveyor line was being commissioned to check the quality and to pack and palletize tortillas. Accurate control of the line and a cartesian system for removing poor quality tortillas was required.
Solution
Optidrive E3s were integrated into the line to control the conveyor system, allowing it to stop when required for the removal of tortilla's, as well as for the packaging of the product. An Optidrive P2 was used on a robot at the end of line used for palletizing the product for distribution.
Automation Experts
A Greek tortilla producer has doubled the speed of production and packaging, while increasing the quality of its product, with the introduction of an automated production line using robotic and variable frequency drive (VFD) technology.
A new conveyor process has been introduced to its existing manufacturing facility in Athens, Greece. Tortillas carried along the line are checked for quality before being packaged and palletized for distribution.
Automation Experts, a sales partner of Invertek Drives, was appointed by Robotsys, a specialist robotics and automation company, to develop the system using Optidrive VFDs. The process also involved the control of a robot for the packaging and palletizing of the products at the end of the line.
New conveyor line with integrated Optidrive VFD control
Teo Amiridis of Automation Experts said: “The project involved designing a completely new conveyor solution, including more automation than the existing process. The customer wanted to increase the speed of the line, including the quality control element, before packaging the tortillas automatically.
“The six-conveyer line uses a total of 12 Optidrive VFDs. Six Optidrive E3s control the motion of each conveyor, with a Cartesian system controlled by two E3s to find the correct angle for rotating the conveyor. Three more E3 drives control the ‘rejection pistons’ which are used to push scrap products off the line.
Accurate synchronisation of the conveyor with rejection pistons for removing unwanted product
“The conveyors must sync with the rejection pistons to allow the right batch of tortillas to be pushed off the line at the correct time. So, accurate motion control is crucial for each element of the line.
“At the end of the line, the product is then packaged and palletized using a Yaskawa robot. The position of the robot is controlled with an Optidrive P2. Working with Robotsys we were able to design a completely automated system.”
The customer reported the new line working twice as fast as existing lines along with a superior quality product as a result.
Quality and control of the conveyor had to be accurate
“The quality and control were an objective from the outset. We’re pleased that we’ve doubled the speed of production while at the same time improving the quality of the product,” said Teo.
The Optidrive E3, Frame Size 1 with an IP20 enclosure, with 3PH input and output, 380V- 480V was chosen for the line and piston control.
An Optidrive P2, Frame Size 2 with IP20 enclosure, with 3PH input and output, 380V-480V was selected for the movement of the picking and packaging robot.
The Optidrive E3 has three application modes out of the box: industrial, pump and fan modes. This makes it easier to set up and commission for a range of applications.
Easy set up and commissioning was an important factor
The set-up, commissioning and changing of parameters can also be easily undertaken on multiple drives through Bluetooth and NFC connectivity. Connected to Invertek’s Optitools mobile app via the Optistick Smart means replication of parameters to other drives is effortless where multiple drives are being set up.
The Optidrive E3 is available in IP20 and IP66 enclosures and four frame sizes, making it ideal for a wide range of applications and environments.
The Optidrive P2 high-powered drive is available in IP20, IP55 and IP66 / NEMA 4X enclosures; single and three-phase input of between 200v to 600v, 0.75kW to 250kW and 1HP to 350HP. It supports all motor types, including IM, PM, BLDC and SynRM.
