CD Production - AS-Interface - Siemens  |   11/23/2008 11:06 AM  
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AS-Interface

in Operation during CD Production at Multi Media Machinery

MCL 50 CD production machine of Multi Media Machinery.
Rotary table of an MCL 50 CD production machine.
K60 AS Interface module in operation in the MCL 50.
Multi Media Machinery in Aschaffenburg is one of the leading manufacturers of production plants in the field of thin film and media production. In the MCL 50 machine range for CD production, Multi Media has successfully integrated the complex industrial production steps in an area of only 1.5m2. AS Interface has played a significant role in this success.
From "matt" to mirror-finish disk in 1.5 m2
The heart of the automation of a SIMATIC S7-300 is located in a tiny control cabinet underneath the handling level. Process control is implemented through the controller, which communicates over PROFIBUS-DP with the optical testing unit and the power supply for the cathode sputtering method, which applies an aluminum layer to the CDs. The sensor and actuator technology is connected to the AS Interface over a 342-2 master module CP. Distributed K60 compact modules connect 64 inputs and 48 outputs, from monitoring liquid levels of the lacquer tank, through the control of operating mechanisms to spindle monitoring, to the controller.
Why AS Interface?
By using AS Interface, Multi Media was able to cut installation costs by 23%. But huge benefits were also seen in the area of control capacity. If the I/O level had been connected completely parallel to the controller, not only would there have been insufficient space in the control cabinet, but the controller would not have had sufficient I/O capacity.
The application advantages of the AS Interface from Siemens:
The AS Interface modules are installed in the immediate vicinity of the sensors/actuators. This cut installation costs by 23%.
Savings were made on valuable control cabinet space.
Time savings during production: units are started in advance at a special testing point. Connection of AS Interface and the power supply are sufficient for this purpose.
No additional power cabling of the sensor technology is required, as this is taken over by the AS Interface.