Grafotronic | 45Grafotonic launches IQ automation Using new smart camera technology, Grafotronic has developed a fully modular automated job set-up and monitoring system. Andy Thomas-Emans reportsrafotronic has demonstrated a new automated makeready and machine monitoring technology Gbased around interlocking smart cameras at its Aspire networking event in Warsaw, Poland.The IQ workfow automation suite will be launched at Labelexpo Europe 2023, where it will be incorporated on a Grafotronic converting line on the Automation Arena feature. The philosophy behind IQ is that automation should handle all routine tasks during setup, then continue to monitor each converting station during the run. This would mean that an operator could, effectively, run two machines simultaneously. Grafotronic DCL2 with IQ automation suite The IQ workfow automation suite is built on Grafotronic’s modular plug-and-play “We wanted to bring to the table simple converting technology, with smart cameras located on each module. plug-and-play automation”At the Aspire event, the IQ system was demonstrated on Grafotronic’s fagship registration marks, it guides the motorized ‘The fexo station camera and die-cut DCL2 converting line. registration sensors on each upstream camera work together,’ says Marcin The DCL2 was confgured with infeed, module. Wozniak, head of software development at fexo, semi-rotary die-cutting and slitting Secondly, it provides the location of the Grafotronic. ‘The fexo camera says where modules, each with its own smart camera. cross marks to the camera on the slitter the crosses were, and the camera on the The cameras control movement of the module, which controls the positioning of die-cut modules measures where they servo motors on each module, both during the motorized SCI-FI slitting knives. This should have been, and checks there are job setup and while the job is running. allows slitting accuracy to be verifed even gaps there.’ To operate in full automation mode the after the cross marks have been removed Each IQ-equipped module works fully IQ system only requires small cross marks with the matrix waste. independently. When the modules are printed between the label lanes and edge The camera on the fexo unit has connected in a simple plug-and-play registration marks. two functions: to monitor and control operation, they work seamlessly together On the infeed module is a camera registration of the fexo station print as a complete system. covering the web width. This has two cylinder, and to identify where the die-cut functions. should take place by reading the cross Standalone automationFirstly, by reading the web edge marks. Comments Morten Toksvaerd, business Remote monitoringDuring the Aspire event, visitors were shown Grafotronic’s remote support system, which allows the company’s engineers to monitor every machine in the feld in real time. ‘Our machines are designed for this from the beginning,’ says Mattias Malmqvist. ‘The system will automatically raise an alarm if any components are stressed, allowing us to suggest preemptive maintenance.’ The support system runs on Grafotronic’s secure Cloud portal. Cross marks for automated die-cut and slitting setup Smart camera on infeed moduleJul - Sep 2023