4-2 GH Full Control Operation Procedures
The system will begin monitoring the process rate once the GH System is placed into “RPM Mode” and a target RPM is entered into the controller. If started in “RPM Mode” then the GH should automatically load the hopper when necessary.
The system can also be started in “Monitor Mode” by placing the GH into “Monitor Mode” and then running your extruder using the existing control equipment such as the original speed pot. Once the extruder RPM reading from the Extruder is detected in “Monitor Mode’ the system will begin to load the hopper when necessary. Again, this RPM must be communicated to the PLC through the supplied inductive proximity switch, or through the optional Ethernet module. The extruder icon on the recipe page will become animated, indicating the extruder is running and the measured Extruder RPM will be displayed.
The displayed value may be far from the actual value the first time the system is ran. The GH goes through a learning process with each material. This is indicated by a “Steady Process” indicator on the main recipe page. Upon starting the line you should always give the hopper time to analyze the flow and give you a “Steady Process” before making adjustments based on the displayed throughput.
The initial learning process will be complete when the “Steady Process” indicator is displayed on the recipe screen. You are now ready to run the unit as normal. The “Steady” flag indicates that the measured throughput in reliable and can be used for control.
The system will automatically stop loading the hopper once the GH is put into “Stop Mode”.
Operator Displays
Figure 33b: Typical Operator Screen for GH Full Control system
Follow these steps to run the line:
1.Place the GH in “RPM Mode” by touching the “RPM Mode” button from the recipe page
2.Enter a target extruder RPM and hauloff speed
3.Wait until you see the “Steady Process” indication before using “lbs/hr” data
4.If you stay in RPM Mode then the extruder RPM and hauloff speed will remain constant. However, the function of the system is weight control. By placing the system in “Weight Mode” you can then adjust the system to a target “Lbs/hr” and “Feet/Min”. There are 2 other modes that can be used. “Weight Per Length” and “Weight Per Area”. In each of these modes the system can be custom configured for your recipe format (see setup). The benefit of placing the system in “Weight Mode”
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