CASE STUDY
UNPACKING THE COMPLEXITIES
TO DELIVER INNOVATIVE VFFS
MACHINERY
O ften overlooked or not consciously considered
as a consumer, packaging plays a pivotal role in
many aspects of your day to day life. From retaining fresh
contents to ensuring hygienic deliverables and to brand
recognition, it is crucial that this element is executed
well. “Leveraging off our partnership with Rockwell Automation,
our solution comprised of their quality products as well
as specific training for ADM personnel to better design
and implement an innovative packaging machine,”
commented NHP’s Automation – Business Development,
Austin Gan.
Catering to the ever-growing demand within the
packaging industry, ADM Packaging Automation have
been servicing this industry for over 20 years producing
world class customised machine packaging solutions. Also specified in the NHP solution was the Allen-Bradley®
CompactLogix™ 5370 controllers which controls the
Allen-Bradley® Kinetix® 5500 Servo Drives, supporting
Integrated Motion on EtherNet/IP™. With its innovative,
compact design, the Kinetix® 5500 drive helps minimise
machine footprint and simplifies system wiring.
Constantly aiming to elevate the benchmark for
efficiency, accuracy and speed, ADM develop and design
packaging machinery to reinforce itself as a leader in
innovative packaging automation, supplying flexible
packaging solutions for dry and liquid products across
Australia and South East Asia.
With that said, ADM developed the ADM-W Series
Vertical Form Fill Seal machine employing innovative
technology to advance a machine that ultimately
improves customers’ consistent quality to the
marketplace and reduces the risk of downtime.
Underpinned by an attitude of continuous improvement,
the overall central control system of this sophisticated
machine was required to be installed, delivering an
element of simplicity, and this is where ADM teamed up
with local supplier, NHP Electrical Engineering.
Due to the costly and time consuming nature of
replacing and sourcing new equipment after failure
on the production floor, there was one major factor to
consider before choosing the supplier of the products
to be used in the central control system upgrade.
“If you can buy equipment that is locally supported like it is
with NHP, it’s of great benefit. We find that with offering the
right support and the right backup we minimise downtime
significantly, which allows us to be a strong, local business
for local customers that they can fully depend on,” said
ADM Packaging Automation’s Technical/Sales Manager,
George Fakhry.
Competing with international corporations in the
industry, ADM derive a passion to set themselves apart
from the rest with a local touch. This elevates the
reliability and personal service supporting the product
itself.
“Our aim is to improve efficiency, increase productivity and
ultimately deliver a reliable packaging solution that helps
customers grow their business. With the dependability and
support of NHP, it pays to manufacture locally,” George
continued.
With a strong focus on the power of local backing,
combined with a global network of suppliers, NHP
formed a complete source for product and service
support. Making up the suite of products supplied
was the Allen-Bradley® PanelView™ 800 touch screen
operator interface providing a view into the control
system designed with the Connected Components
Workbench software.
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Featured in this modular design are the Allen-Bradley®
PowerFlex 525 compact drives, which can be configured
using the Connected Components Workbench and
offer embedded EtherNet/IP™ communications, USB
programming, and standard safety features that are
suited perfectly for this application. For seamless
integration and simple cable connection, the Allen-
Bradley® Bulletin 1783 Stratix® 2000 Unmanaged Ethernet
Switches were also installed.
“One of the major reasons we chose NHP was all of the
equipment is compatible with each other. The ethernet
connectivity between the PLC, Servos and drives reduced
wiring complexity, panel space and commissioning times
and together formed a complete system we could fully rely
on,” said ADM Packing Automation’s Engineer, Richard
Crighton.
With plans to expand their offering as the business
continues to grow, NHP look forward to supporting
ADM Packaging Automation as they strive to service the
expanding, flexible packing industry with market leading
packaging solutions.
.