Page 20 - Metallforming Magazine December 2020

Press Controls
Battle the Pandemic
In our COVID-19 world, press controls continually adapt to provide more monitoring data and more capability to program, run and maintain press lines. Expect the evolution to continue.
BY LOUIS A. KREN, SENIOR EDITOR
Disruptive technology “is an innovation that significantly alters the way that consumers, industries or businesses operate,” reads the definition forwarded by Investo- pedia. “A disruptive technology sweeps away the systems or habits it replaces because it has attributes that are rec- ognizably superior.”
So what happens when disruptive technology, such as that associated with Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things along with all of the monitoring and managing innovations that those entail, crashes headlong into another disruptive influence, say the COVID-19 pandemic?
From what all of us in manufactur- ing have witnessed, in this case, tech- nological disruptions have provided new ways to deal with social and eco- nomic disruptions. Specifically, let’s consider press-line controls, courtesy of experts from several control-tech- nology providers. MetalForming quizzed our assembled panel, looking for insight on how the evolution of controls
impacts manufacturing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the post- pandemic future and what may be the new normal.
Specifically, we wanted to know what features recently have been devel- oped that position press controls as capable of overseeing press-line oper- ations in the COVID-19 world, where social distancing has resulted in a smaller human footprint on the shop floor, and, consequently, less on-hand direct tending and oversight of press- line operations. And, what’s in the pipeline should the current environ- ment become the norm?
Less Need for Hands-On Operation
“Controls are constantly evolving,” explains Kenni Dawley, director of con- trols and automation systems for Helm Instrument Co., Inc. “Today’s PLC- based controls offer abilities in line automation that can reduce the amount of hands-on tending of the equipment. If the mechanical functions on the equipment are compatible, the control system can make the manu-
facturing process more automatic. “Features such as automatic die- retrieval systems, automatic die setting and material loading/unloading can be performed using remote command stations,” Dawley continues. “Video monitoring of production lines allow managers to control the systems and take action to respond to process
faults.”
All of the tasks detailed by Dawley
become more effective as controls become smarter, and as they continue to improve in the current pandemic climate.
“Remote access, safety distancing and limited staff have been important drivers in the advancement of plant- information systems,” offers Dean
18 MetalForming/December 2020
www.metalformingmagazine.com
How