Integrated automation solutions increase productivity in metal-forming

An increasing variety of products and, at the same time, decreasing batch sizes are the challenges that metal forming companies are now having to face. A fundamental prerequisite for flexible and productive machines is an integrated automation system that can be adapted to the respective requirements in a modular and scalable manner.

CNC Design offers Siemens integrated solutions for the automation of metal forming machines. This includes solutions and software that help press manufacturers and users to enhance efficiency and productivity. Simulation tools support the manufacturer during engineering of a press and thus shorten the time-to-market. For the user, these programs considerably reduce the amount of work involved in setting up and running in a press.

The "PressLineSimulation" tool from Siemens digitally replicates the complete metal forming process in order to simulate the entire pressing process and optimize it virtually. The movement data determined during the simulation can then be incorporated completely in the "SIMOTION" motion control system.

The "Metal Forming Solution Package" from Siemens is an integrated automation solution for metal forming applications. The solution includes the special software libraries for the respective SimoRoll, SimoTrans, SimoFeed and SimoPress metal working stations. These libraries combine automation functions in the form of specimen applications such as main drive control, cam control or tool position locking and tool data management as well as operator control and monitoring functions. The machine software for individual metal forming machines is therefore easy to create by means of a graphic user interface.

Siemens Drive Technologies is offering now the new "SimoPress Servo" software module for the automation of eccentric servo presses for the first time.
In conjunction with the SINAMICS drive platform and installed direct drives, the productivity and efficiency of servo presses can be substantially improved. SimoPress Servo automatically calculates an optimized movement profile on the basis of the key data from the press and the drive train. As a result, considerably more travel movements per minute are possible at the same speed or at reduced speed. This enables a substantial reduction in unit production costs, thus increasing productivity.