Lenze AG working on `Drive-based’ automation
Hamelin, Germany – Modern engineering for the development of modular automation solutions is playing an increasingly important role in systems and mechanical engineering.
“Its purpose is to reduce the overall costs of a machine,” says Thorsten Sienk of Lenze AG .
To this end, engineers at Lenze are working on a tool to implement “drive-based automation,” which is a method centred on the functional division of systems into partial processes. Integrated software tools work with libraries of basic machine modules which can be adapted for specific solutions by setting parameters and archiving them in a database. This makes it possible to realise considerable savings by re-using existing application knowledge and grouping together various production steps to form an entire process.
“Applying the principles of modularisation and decentralisation consistently leads to reducing costs,” says Mr. Sienk. “This starts in the engineering process and can be supported by the relevant software.”
The new tools will involve everyone in the company, from sales and configuration through to servicing. All will work from the same database. This will allow information from various process steps to be transferred without having to be re-entered. Descriptions in XML and the use of standard interfaces provide the basis, and will also allow the integration of automation components from other manufacturers.
Control Engineering News DeskMichael Babb, editor, Control Engineering Europe michael.babb@cahnerseurope.com
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