The Flying Shear (also known as Flying Knife) is a common industrial application for cutting a continuous product to a set length at line speed. The main production process is not interrupted thus maximizing machine productivity.
The cutting tool is typically mounted on a carriage that moves either parallel to the product flow or at an angle across the product flow. The Flying Shear drive accelerates the carriage to synchronize with the line speed, at this point the cut tool can be activated. The carriage then decelerates and returns to its original position ready to cut again. There are also many other similar applications where a carriage must be synchronized at line speed and these can also be accommodated using Control Techniques' Flying Shear control software.
The drive is configured using engineering units of choice such as mm or inches. This means that configuration of the system is easy, through an operator interface or by entering configuration parameters directly on the drive.
The fly profile is optimized for each application by breaking the synchronized, part of the profile down into three areas: settling time, cut time and tool rise time. The drive will then calculate the profile and perform checks to ensure that the parameters entered are achievable, given the length of motion available, and also the required cut length.
Typical applications include various types of cut-to-length machines, printing, packaging, depositors, punches, product inspection, or any other process where synchronization at line speed is required.
Flying Shear application solutions are available for Control Techniques AC, DC and servo drives. For more information click on the Contact Us link and a Control Techniques representative will contact you.