Among the most sophisticated bag converting equipment made by

CMD Corp. (www.cmd-corp.com) is the PDI Medical Combination

Pouch System. It turns flat rollstock into a complete range of pre-
made header bags and shaped pouches in a chevron or shaped-seal
configuration. Pouch sealing can be done in single or multiple lanes
across the width of the machine at speeds to 200 seals/min.
Increasingly stringent medical regulatory requirements demand
not only quality pouches but also complete specification and seal-
ing data for documenting processes. Each seal has to be virtually
perfect. In addition, to stay ahead of the competition, CMD needs
to offer unique advantages: real-time process monitoring, complete
data management, and tight control of sealing parameters such as
temperature, pressure, and dwell time.
Machine control is based on actual data points, not just filtered
or averaged data. Users are able to optimize seal parameters when-
ever needed. Instant analysis of high-volume data was a must because
machine operators need to know immediately if platen heat is uneven
or dwell times a split-second too short, thus requiring processes to be
changed or shut down. High levels of accuracy and precision have to be
maintained consistently across thousands of seals. CMD customers also
need minimal changeover times between jobs as production demands.
Meeting these requirements meant the new-generation PDI pouch
converting systems needed to be designed with exceptional controls
finesse. Thats where machine components distributor CMA/Flodyne/
Hydradyne (www.cmafh.com) came in. CMAFHs knowledge and their
familiarity with Bosch Rexroth (www.boschrexroth-us.com) drive and
control components made them the perfect partner that CMD needed.
Data is interpreted instantly and converted into a set of sealing param-
eters called a recipe for creating the seal. Recipe-based programming
at the operator panel ensures precise control of customer-specific
converting requirements each time a job is changed. The control and
quality assurance of recipe-based operating parameters is required for
the demanding medical pouch industry because the difference between
a good seal and a rejected one can be measured in microseconds.
The operator can flag out-of-spec seals and make adjustments on
the spot, says CMD Intermittent Motion Product Line Manager Scott
Fuller. That can mean the difference between throwing away a few
pouches and losing an entire truckload.
Rexroth software makes changeovers between jobs easy. Instead of
Recipe for success
Using the latest drive and control components, CMD Corp. built a PDI Medical Combination
Pouch System with rapid data management and unparalleled precision.
Medical pouches. This sophisticated medical combination pouch
system turns flat roll stock into a range of bags and pouches used in the
healthcare industry.
Continued on p. 2
By Pat Reynolds, VP/Editor, Packaging World
Reprinted from the web - February 11, 2014
adjusting cams and other mechanical components, changes are made
at the HMI terminal. To transform better data into optimum control,
the machines hardware was upgraded as well. Rexroths IndraDrive
Mi integrated servo motor/drive platform and IndraDrive C convert-
ers, which blend inverter and power supply in a single unit, are good
examples. These were combined with Rexroth IndraDyn MSK servo
motors, allowing comprehensive and responsive control in a compact
space with less cabling. And by combining IndraControl VEP 40 HMI,
L40 MLC motion logic control, and servo technology, CMAFH realized
a large performance upgrade without increased machine size.
Because the compact, scalable IndraDrive Mi has the drive
mounted in the motor casing, control cabinet space requirements are
reduced significantly. Its power and communication output run via a
single cable thats daisy-chained to each integrated drive. A Rexroth
KCU compact adaptation box allows a common coupling to be used
for all connections to the IndraDrive Mi units.
For motion synchronization in three axes for cutting, sealing, and
pouching, CMD relies on Rexroths IndraMotion MLC L40 motion logic
controller with Flex Profile functionality. Flex Profile precisely controls
all synchronous and time-based converting steps. The IndraMotion
MLC controls platform provides the flexible functionality to help CMD
reduce material waste, increase throughput, and simplify operations.
Along with machine control, Rexroth also supplied pneumatics for
cross cooler actuation along with runner blocks and profiled rail for
key machine functions such as supporting cutting and sealing opera-
tions and stacking pouches. Rexroth anodized aluminum structural
framing was used to create the stacking table and support a protective
light curtain.
Tests of the new system show that it can deliver sealing strikes,
each with thousands of pounds of force, within a +/- 1.5% tolerance,
the sealing industrys tightest control. Dwell time, force, and tempera-
ture can be adjusted almost instantly. Pouch width, the number of
rolls of material involved, and the type of material can all be altered
simply by keying in the appropriate recipe. Real-time data also tracks
how thoroughly the machine controls the sealing process, proving
compliance with strict regulations.
Finally, troubleshooting is facilitated by an Ethernet hub that allows
remote dial-in for machine diagnostics.
Its a high-performance machine at a competitive
price, says Fuller.
Recipe for success
Demanding requirements.
Precise control of all converting parameters,
including film tensioning, is crucial on the
PDI pouch making system, and the machines
controls package is there to deliver.
Reprinted from the web - February 11, 2014
Bosch Rexroth Corporation
www.boschrexroth-us.com
Product life cycles keep getting shorter. Products and packages get more complex. Supply
chains and customers intensify their demands. Whether you build, buy or implement
packaging machinery, you need a way to react as quickly as possible. Rexroth, your expert
partner for automation in packaging processes, provides the exible system solutions you
need. Our technologies and efcient engineering tools enable more productive machines,
faster changeovers, reduced footprints, and peace of mind. You can even achieve small
production runs easily and economically. Experience for yourself how we can create an
ingenious solution for your application.
Tough application,
ingenious solution
Exactly