User guide

AccuMeter Controller Chapter 2: Functional Description 20
PLC Control Panel
The PLC control panel may be mounted on the side of the blender frame, or remote mounted
near the blender. It uses an Allen-Bradley CompactLogix programmable controller with
standard 24 vdc input output cards. This design provides excellent blender performance along
with easily replaceable off-the-shelf parts in case of any electronic component failure.
Touch Screen Interface
The PanelView Plus CE color touch screen display is mounted by default in the PLC control
panel. It is very user friendly after installation and setup, simply enter in the proper recipe and
start the blender.
If it is desired to have the primary display remote mounted consult factory.
Motor Drive Panel
The auger motor drive panel is mounted on the blender frame adjacent to the PLC control panel
in most applications. The motor drive panel is permanently wired on the blender. The standard
panel contains Yaskawa or KB PWM motor drives, a power supply and manual volumetric
backup system wiring components.
The motor drives on the blender are standard, off-the-shelf drives and are readily available from
distributors and the manufacturer.
Power cords to each drive motor are equipped with plugs to facilitate auger removal and motor
replacement, if necessary.
Optional “Quick Color Change” Kit
The optional “QCC” quick color changeover kit allows the virgin material to be gravity fed so
the processing machine can be operated, while a color change is being done.
The virgin material auger metering assembly is equipped with a lower slide gate and discharge
tube. A flexible hose connects the discharge tube with a cast aluminum flange below the
blender that is equipped with an angled inlet tube stub. When the slide gate is opened, virgin
pellets will gravity feed to the bottom of the blender and bypass the blender augers and the
lower mass flow weigh hopper, allowing the extruder to be operated.
The blender augers can then be removed and the colors changed without the processing
machine having to be “re-strung”, and the product having to be re-gauged.