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CC-Link Helps Becatron Reduce Energy Costs

ControlGlobal.com
01/11/2010

Becatron Mechatronica B.V. of Apeldorn have been a specialist in the mechatronics industry for 15 years. Based on their huge technical experiences they decided to install a CC-Link system to manage energy saving and machine safety for ITS, Europe's largest rewinder of aluminium foils and cling films.

ITS make over 7,000 tonnes of foils per year, produced on over 40 machines in their factory in Apeldorn. Production at ITS has increased by over 20 fold in the last 15 years but they have managed to keep staffing levels the same and overheads to a minimum by investing in the latest automation technologies.

Before the new energy saving system was installed all the machines were stand alone, and every machine needed an operator to start and stop them. With the new CC-Link control system ITS can utilise staff more effectively and now one member of staff looks after a production process, rather than an individual machine.

Before starting production the rewinding machines need to build up to their operating temperature. This can take up to 5 minutes per machine. To prevent energy demand peaks the machines must be started consecutively.