LINK Systems Omni II Automatic Setups Module - Manual (Page 5)

October 16, 2008 Manual Version 1.1
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Section 1 Introduction
The 5100-10 Automatic Setup Module allows the OmniLink II Press Automation Control to
automatically adjust press shut height, counterbalance air pressure and cushion air pressure when
jobs are recalled from memory. It consists of a base 5100-10 microprocessor board that
connects to the OmniLink II Press Automation Control system, and additional boards that may
be mounted on the base board to provide pressure or shut height adjustment functions. Each
5100-10 module can control; one slide adjust system and two air systems, four air systems, or
two slide adjust systems. Up to four 5000-10 Automatic Setup Modules can be connected to an
OmniLink II Press Automation Control System.
Section 1.1 Counterbalance Control
The proper setup of the air counterbalance system in a press is often thought of as a relatively
unimportant detail. In fact, the counterbalance performs a very critical function. By countering
the weight of the slide and its associated tooling a properly adjusted counterbalance:
‚ Takes up bearing clearances before the die closes at the bottom of the stroke, reducing
bearing load and impact.
‚ Helps reduce gear tooth impact in geared machines by maintaining drive edge gear tooth
contact in the press downstroke.
‚ Decreases the downstroke stopping time of the press since less load is seen by the brake in
the downstroke.
‚ Enhances safety by reducing the possibility that the slide will free fall, if the brake is released
and the clutch is not engaged.
‚ Causes less total energy to be used by the press.
‚ Increases drive motor life by reducing peak motor currents.
None of the foregoing advantages will be realized if the counterbalance pressure is set too low.
But a counterbalance pressure that is set too high is also detrimental to the press, causing
excessive clutch wear and loss of flywheel energy in the downstroke before the dies contact
material.
By setting the pressure automatically when a job is recalled, the OmniLink II Press Automation
Control Automatic Setup module assures that the pressure is correct for the tooling used. This
not only reduces machine maintenance, but also increases safety and speeds up job setup
tremendously. In addition, the Automatic Setup module sets the correct pressure for each die,
rather than an approximate pressure for a range of die weights from tables provided with
manually adjustable counterbalance systems.