From April 23 to 26, Techtextil, a leading international trade fair for technical textiles and non-woven fabrics will take place in Frankfurt. The Erhardt+Leimer Group, specialized in automation and inspection technology, will exhibit an AI-based seam sensor for the detection of cross-seams, as well as a warp thread sensor. The latest linear and rotary drive units for almost every application in machine automation will also be on show. The E+L stand is in hall 12.0, stand B53.
Sensor acquires cross-seams as reliably as the human eye
The seam sensor marketed as the ELSEAMTEX SI 1001 detects, optically and therefore without contact, any type of seam on printed or single-color webs. Its software utilizes artificial intelligence and in this way makes it possible to detect cross-seams at the level of human perception. Along with a light transmitter and a matrix camera with lens, the sensor also includes a WLAN card for reliable communication with a smartphone, tablet or any other mobile terminal device. In addition, a dedicated app is available that can be used, for instance, to test special seams offline; the software can also be updated via the mobile terminal device. If a cross-seam is detected, a digital output in the sensor is switched so that, depending on the machine, for example the calender rollers can be opened or the seam can be left to run through the digital printing press without printing.
Artificial intelligence ensures the greatest possible reliability
The sensor’s ability to learn based on artificial intelligence permits a previously unknown level of precision during the detection of the textile surface. This precision qualifies the sensor for the provision of exact, reliable position data not only for the various seams, but also for the different sections. The user is then able not only to protect calender rollers, shearing blades or print heads against damage, but also to automate handling steps. This automation improves the quality of the end product, reduces costs and increases transparency. And all these advantages can be integrated into production at reasonable expense without major modifications: the sensor is fastened at a precisely specified distance from the web and can be commissioned without calibration. Operation is even easier than installation: recipes are not required, it is not necessary to change any parameters during a material change, no interaction whatsoever is required between the machine operator and the sensor. As a result, possible errors are reduced to zero.
Reliable detection of the outermost warp thread
With the designation ELWARP SI 2001, E+L will also present a sensor for the optical detection of the outermost warp thread in a web, regardless of the length of protruding weft threads. Artificial intelligence is also used here. For clear, unambiguous detection of the outermost warp thread in the downstream cutting process, it is necessary to bring the protruding weft threads into the same plane. A mechanical or pneumatic spreader can be used for this task. An integrated WLAN card provides secure communication with mobile terminal devices such as smartphones or tablets; it is also possible to update the software via the mobile terminal device. Along with blade follow-up for cutting the protruding weft threads at the tenter exit, this sensor can also be used to implement web guiding by the outermost warp thread.
Servomotors with high dynamic performance and stability
With the EL.MOTION drives, Erhardt+Leimer will also present linear and rotary direct drives that, thanks to their play-free design, are suitable for a wide variety of applications and feature high standstill torque and high acceleration combined with a compact shape. The avoidance of any mechanical force transmission components enables users to make significant time and cost savings during machine maintenance and ensures straightforward integration into the machine layout. The drives consist of a housing made of extruded aluminum and a rotor with an iron core that provides a high power density. The integrated high-resolution multiturn encoder permits the acquisition of the rotor position and absolute position. Due to the resulting complete elimination of the play typical in conventional systems and the mechanical elasticity of the drive, EL.MOTION motors are ideally suited to applications requiring very smooth running and precise positioning accuracy. Communication is possible via all common types of fieldbus. Optionally, the drives are also available with functional safety (STO). “Stand-alone” usage of all variants in the product range is also possible; in addition, versions with a gearbox are available as an option. The motors can be commissioned using any browser via the web-based management. They also come with EL.NET technology, which allows control tasks to be implemented without any need whatsoever for an external controller.
