Sterling AF-XXX specifications Injection Molding Applications, Control Relay Connection

4-3 Injection Molding Applications

Discussed in this portion of the manual are the finer points of the additive feeder operation, programming the control, and installation notes and examples. If you are unfamiliar with this product or have never performed this type of installation, please read this section of the manual fully before installing the equipment.

Steps that must be completed before the additive feeder will perform properly:

–The proper control signal from the injection process

–Accurate programming of the control (Factory default programming is sufficient for most injection applications)

Injection Molding

Injection Molding cycles require that the additive feeder supply a constant feed rate during recovery and no material during the shot. Once a desired feed rate has been identified (See 3- 4, Determining the Desired Feed Rate) and a calibration has been performed (See 3-4, Calibration Procedure), then the correct RPM can be set for that process. Finally the additive feeder needs to be told when to start and stop feeding material using a control connection.

Control Relay Connection

To interlock the additive feeder operation to an injection molding machine, remove jumper (J1) from the terminal block in the control enclosure and wire in the control relay signal from the processing machine. For injection applications the additive feeder will automatically operate at the specified rate while the screw is turning.(see 4-3, Injection Mode Application)

Field Control Programming

Although the drive’s user interface is very versatile, it is also simple to setup and operate. With just a few button presses, it allows the user to configure a number of adjustable parameters. The LED display has three basic operating modes: Running Mode, Parameter- Selection Mode, and Value Mode. Each of the three modes have specific visual indicators that allow the user to immediately determine the current state or mode of the user interface.

Note: Parameter-Selection Mode and Value Mode can only be entered if the Program Enable jumper is in the “On” position.

Running Mode is the default display of the unit when power is applied. The drive will spend the majority of its time in this mode. In Running Mode, the display shows the target value in the appropriate user defined format of rate, time, or percentage. The control will continuously attempt to drive the motor at the requested target rate. In this display mode, the Up and Down buttons increase or decrease the displayed target value until either the display minimum or display maximum limit is reached. Depending on the alarm configuration, these buttons may also serve as an alarm-silence or alarm-reset button.

Parameter-Selection Mode can be entered by simply pressing and holding the Enter button down for three seconds. Once in Parameter-Selection Mode, the far left of the display will be a “P.” The right side of the display will indicate the currently selected parameter number for

Additive Feeders Chapter 4: Operation 24 of 55