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3 Fundamentals of press design

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322 Sheet metal forming and blanking<br />

The widespread popularity <strong>of</strong> MS Windows as a graphic user interface<br />

has provided a platform for many s<strong>of</strong>tware suppliers to <strong>of</strong>fer efficient<br />

s<strong>of</strong>tware solutions – also in the field <strong>of</strong> process visualization, which provides<br />

users with an ergonomically configured representation <strong>of</strong> production<br />

sequences. Through integration in MS windows, communication<br />

is possible with other Windows applications via the “dynamic data<br />

exchange (DDE)” interface. Drivers for the relevant PLC systems are<br />

required for communication between the process visualization system<br />

and the “programmable logic controller (PLC)”.<br />

Line operating and information system<br />

The line operating and information system (ABI-Plus) is a modular,<br />

open-ended and flexible s<strong>of</strong>tware system <strong>design</strong>ed to address present<br />

and future <strong>press</strong> automation requirements. ABI-Plus helps reduce<br />

machine and production line standstill periods, and so contributes<br />

towards improved productivity as well as greater flexibility.<br />

Process visualization<br />

For ABI-Plus, a standard commercially available process visualization<br />

system was selected as the core <strong>of</strong> the overall system. The operator is<br />

able to monitor and control the process either interactively or automatically<br />

through the control system. The man-machine interface provides<br />

an optical representation <strong>of</strong> the machine status with the aid <strong>of</strong><br />

dynamic graphics and real images (Fig.4.6.35).<br />

Intervention in the process is possible using the s<strong>of</strong>tkeys. The user is<br />

guided through the various operating modes such as set-up, automatic<br />

continuous operation or die change on a step-by-step basis. The process<br />

parameters are entered using an alphanumeric keypad and feasibility<br />

tested by the program.<br />

If a machine error occurs, the relevant error message with date and<br />

time is superimposed on the screen mask currently being used. The<br />

operator is able to access the troubleshooting module in order to localize<br />

the fault and remedy it if necessary. The need <strong>of</strong> a machine maintenance<br />

interval is also indicated to the operator by means <strong>of</strong> a flashing<br />

maintenance symbol.<br />

Tool data management<br />

Another module <strong>of</strong> the ABI-Plus is a comprehensive tool data management<br />

system which allows all die-specific data and machine settings to<br />

Metal Forming Handbook / Schuler (c) Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1998

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