Three New Controllers For Conveyor Systems ...
AND NEW LOW-COST INKJET PRINTING CONTROLLER INTRODUCED AT NA06 BY HOLJERON AND MATTHEWS MARKING PRODUCTS
Pittsburgh, PA and Tualatin, OR, February 13, 2006 - Three new microprocessor-based controllers for motor-driven roller conveyor systems - a standalone UBT controller, a serial interface and Microroller® controller - will be shown for the first time at the NA06 show March 27-30 in Cleveland by Holjeron, the Tualatin, OR-based electronic controls subsidiary of Matthews International.
Matthews Marking Products Division will also introduce its new low-cost, easy-to-use inkjet printhead controller, the I-Mark(TM) SX32, at the show. Holjeron and Matthews Marking Products share booth #2417 at Cleveland's I-X Center.
New ZL.S-C412 UBT controller - no programming required
Conveyor merge/divert/transfer functions are normally controlled by a PLC, which requires a significant investment in programming. Holjeron's new UBT controller, the latest in its ZoneLink family of products, can easily be configured for either merge, divert or transfer mode through a serial port and is simply plugged into the line where needed. For higher-level supervisory control, the controller is available in a version that interfaces directly with a DeviceNet(TM) network.
New serial interface for ZPA conveyor line
Holjeron's ZoneLink® .S technology allows distributed microprocessor-based controllers to communicate with each other, enabling users to configure and monitor a Zero Pressure Accumulation conveyor line easily and inexpensively. .S technology also provides predictive diagnostics and remote speed control.
Previously, DeviceNet was required to implement .S technology. Now, with the new ZL.S-F32 ZoneLink® Serial Interface Card, Holjeron has made it more affordable and convenient by permitting communication through a serial port on a PC or PLC.
New DK 100 Microroller® driver for cost-effective lock on speed
The third new product in Holjeron's microprocessor-based control systems is a low-cost driver, the ZL-DK100 Microroller® driver, capable of setting and maintaining the speeds of adjacent conveyor zones to within ±1 RPM of each other - even under load -- with just the flick of a switch. Normally, matching speeds is labor-intensive and, therefore, expensive, as well as relatively imprecise.
"Usually, operators would have to use a tachometer to match speed zone-to-zone. It's a time-consuming process, and they'll be lucky to match the speeds within a couple of feet per minute. Plus, the speed would fluctuate with the size of the load," notes Holjeron's Material Handling Industry Manager, Pete Shumway. "With the DK100, it's easy to match and hold speeds to within ±1 motor RPM - which means that zone-to-zone speed will be identical to within a couple of inches per minute, even under load."
This closed loop speed control has always been a feature of Holjeron's higher-end controllers; now the ZL-DK100 makes it available for the same price as competing non-microprocessor-based control systems.
New I-Mark(TM) SX32 inkjet printhead controller - simple, reliable, affordable, expandable
Matthews new SX32 controller is the first in the industry to combine the low-maintenance reliability of Matthews' Drop-on-Demand® (DOD) technology printheads, capable of operating in harsh industrial environments, with affordability and a user-friendly interface. The new controller will be shown with Matthews 3000 series 32-valve printhead, although it can also use a wide range of enhanced valve or traditional DOD printheads to print high-quality graphics, logos and datecodes from 0.2" to 5" high on porous and non-porous substrates.
"Until now, Matthews' strongest attribute was our heavy-duty printhead design and sophisticated ink development, but we wanted to offer a more affordable and easy-to use controller for lower-end applications," explains Donna Meade, SX32 Product Manager. "The new SX32 controller meets that need and is the first to give users reliable operation, reduced maintenance, a wide range of inks, user-friendly interface and a relatively low price. The two letters, S and X, stand for simple and expandable."
The new controller's icon-based user interface has password-protected user levels, graphics, date and time functions, counters and an integrated keyboard with hot keys for frequently used functions. Capable of controlling up to four printheads, the SX 32 is expandable and enables double-sided marking of graphics and text. It may be bench or wall-mounted.
Also being shown at NA06 is Matthews' I-Mark V80 high-end inkjet printing system with full-color Windows-based touchscreen interface.
For more information on Holjeron's innovative conveyor controller and motor-driven rollers, contact Holjeron, Inc., 9524 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road, Tualatin, OR 97062. Telephone (503) 582-0820, fax (503) 582-9166, email sales@holjeron.com or log on to www.holjeron.com .For more information on the new SX32 and other Matthews marking products or the company's NA06 exhibit, contact Michelle Spaulding, Matthews Marking Products, 6515 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Telephone (412) 665-2488, fax (412) 365-2042, website: www.matthewsmarking.com .
