Press Control Design Criteria

Advanced Design Criteria for Punch Press Controls - Safer, More Productive and Easier to Use

The following descriptive writing is the base design criteria for the Pressroom Electronics’ punch press control system. The inherent design features are superb for enhancing production and safety. Please note that options are available within each individual system or package to aid in production.

DESIGN CRITERIA—Complete self-checking dual logic microprocessor-based punch press control with two independent running control channels and a comparison circuit. The comparison circuit assures that both channels agree as the punch press control sequence occurs. The preprogrammed dedicated inelastic control system prevents in field alterations to the safety features of the control. The control incorporates a control reliable redundant design concept to assure a higher level of safety and reliability.

CONTROL RELIABILITY "CONTROL COMPONENT FAILURE"—The Pressroom Electronics’ Punch Press Control meets or exceeds all OSHA 1910.217 and ANSI B11.1-2001 standards for control reliability. Control reliability standards require that clutch/brake circuits be designed and constructed so that a single failure or fault within the system does not prevent the normal stopping action from being applied to the press when required, or does not create an unintended stroking action, but does prevent initiation of a successive stroke until the failure is corrected.

REDUNDANT DESIGN CONCEPT—The Punch Press Control system utilizes the redundant design concept. This gives the clutch/brake control system a higher level of redundancy and control reliability.

DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE DISPLAY—Standard on the solid state Pressroom Electronics’ Punch Press Control System is the "Diagnostic Message Display" mounted with the operator controls at a customer designated location on the control panel. The alphanumeric message display informs the user of any faults, failures, and the current operating status of the punch press control system. The messages are in plain English and will give the press operator and front line supervisor information quickly and safely. The "Diagnostic Message Display" system is so advanced that it will immediately inform the user of such problems as pressure switch faults, failed output relays, or rotary cam mis-adjustment. The system will also pinpoint internal printed circuit board faults for immediate replacement. This self-diagnostic feature will save maintenance dollars and will enhance machine uptime measurably due to the units captive troubleshooting ability. Best of all, this information is supplied without even opening the control panel door. Additionally, a complete series of LED's (light emitting diodes) are mounted on the clutch/brake module for visual status of all inputs and outputs related to the machine cycle status.

SYSTEM LOGIC AND COMPONENT DIAGNOSTICS—A combination of LED's and the alphanumeric plain English message display will enhance infield troubleshooting greatly. The advanced design can even troubleshoot itself and advise the user if a printed circuit board is defective and if it needs to be replaced or repaired. Diagnostics are for both the control system logic and for punch press component monitoring. Twenty-nine different messages can appear on the message display.

REDUNDANT CAPTIVE CONTACT SAFETY RELAYS—Redundant relays assure safety if an output relay should fail. The system utilizes safety relays which have forceguided contacts. This is a configuration where the contacts are mechanically locked together so that if one set of contacts weld, the other contacts cannot change state. If one should fail, the message display will identify which relay has faulted and what state the relay should be in (on/off).

SOLID STATE PUNCH PRESS CONTROLS— Incorporates "cross checking, self-checking, and redundancy" to assure an ultra-safe design.

INTERRUPTED STROKE PROVISIONS WITH INDICATOR—If the punch press is in the "single stroke" or "continuous" mode and the press stops before the completion of a full stroke, the Interrupted Stroke Provision is activated. The control will automatically switch to the "inch" mode and the palm buttons must be used to return the ram to the top of the stroke. When back at the top, the control automatically switches back to the original operational mode setting and the operator may resume normal production. The Interrupted Stroke Provision improves productivity and safety significantly by eliminating the need for the operator to make mode selection adjustments on interrupted strokes.

MICRO-INCH (OPTIONAL)—Controlled by keyed selector switch on/off on the control panel, Micro-Inch provides ram movement for a predetermined amount of time. Micro-Inch is actuated by the palm buttons and the amount of ram movement is controlled by a Micro-Inch timer inside the control panel. Micro-Inch also indexes the ram in increments that eases set-up in high speed or short stroke press operations.

AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL TRIP (OPTIONAL)— Controlled by a keyed selector switch (on/off) on the control panel. This option enables a punch press to be cycled by a signal from a robot or feeding device one stroke at a time.

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