Innovations in Linear and Independent Motion Packaging Applications: Software Secrets
Why It Matters
The software breakthrough enables precise independent motion using existing control infrastructure, accelerating automation and cutting development costs across the packaging industry.
Key Takeaways
- •Independent motion requires integration with modern packaging control systems
- •Invented backdoor to map linear motion as rotary axis
- •Patented control method now owned by Rockwell, industry standard
- •Compatibility with servo drives, robots, and I/O essential
- •Successful integration demonstrated on Seaman and Rockwell platforms
Summary
The webinar segment spotlights how software innovations have turned independent motion from a hardware curiosity into a practical packaging solution, emphasizing the need to embed such motion within modern control architectures.
Gunce explains that early attempts using simple PC commands were inadequate for production. The breakthrough came from treating each linear mover as a rotary axis, enabling commands in millimeters to be translated into rotational positions and synchronized via cam profiles. This approach was codified in a patent now owned by Rockwell, establishing a de‑facto standard for integrating independent motion with existing PLCs and motion controllers.
He notes, “Every mover is just a simple rotary axis,” and recounts being the first to drive full motion on Seaman’s platform before convincing Rockwell to adopt the method. The “backdoor” integration allowed seamless connection to servo drives, robots, and I/O, demonstrating the concept’s versatility across different equipment vendors.
The result is a unified control strategy that reduces engineering effort, shortens time‑to‑market, and enhances line flexibility. As more manufacturers adopt this software‑centric model, independent motion is poised to become a mainstream capability in high‑speed packaging lines.
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