Smart system with force control

The Smart Function Kit Pressing, a complete mechatronic package from Bosch Rexroth for the rapid implementation of servo presses, is now available with force control. This means that processes can now also be mapped in which the target force must be kept constant over a defined period of time. Intelligent eTools shorten the selection and design of the modular servo press. The pre-installed operating software allows quick and easy commissioning, process definition and line integration.

With the newly integrated force control software function, the Smart Function Kit Pressing covers a total of three application cases: joining to a defined position (position-controlled), joining to a defined force (position-controlled) and new: joining to a defined force with subsequent holding of the force (force-controlled).

When joining with force control, the servo press keeps a defined target force constant for a specified period of time, even if the position of the workpiece fluctuates or its size changes. This is the case, for example, if it expands or shrinks, is fused or ground down during the process. The continuous monitoring of the maximum values ​​for force and position protects
the system and tool from damage. For better process representation and analysis, the curve view can be switched from force/position to force/time.

Force-controlled joining is required in many manufacturing and assembly processes, for example in powder pressing, laser welding or grinding. Another area of ​​application is material testing. In battery production, pouch cells are tested for leaks with a constant force while the material expands when heat is applied. In fuel cell production, the Smart Function Kit presses components made of different materials with a defined force while heat is applied over a period of several minutes.

Time savings from engineering to monitoring

The correct size of the Smart Function Kit can be determined very easily using the new "pressing/force control" reference process in the LinSelect design tool. Integrated safety functions (Safe Torque Off or Safe Motion) are also available as selectable options in the seamlessly connected online configurator. CAD data and technical documentation can then be downloaded free of charge and the servo press can be ordered with a material number directly from the Rexroth online shop.

The Smart Function Kit for pressing and joining applications consists of the standard components of electromechanical cylinders with force sensors, servo motors, drive controllers and industrial PCs and is delivered pre-assembled in one package. The pre-installed, browser-based operating software shortens commissioning to just a few minutes, programming is done graphically using sequence blocks, with plausibility checks preventing the system limits from being exceeded.

At the site of use, the Smart Function Kit Pressing can be conveniently connected to a higher-level control system using prepared function blocks. From there, the servo press can be commanded on the one hand and results and process data can be transferred to it on the other.