The Italian-Swiss company ST BlowMoulding chose Bosch Rexroth’s IO-Link components to create a fully digital blow moulder where proportional valves, on-off valves and sensors are controlled via digital communication.
Specialized in the production of machines for the processing of plastic materials, ST BlowMoulding designs and manufactures extrusion and blow moulding machines all over the world. The collaboration between ST BlowMoulding and Bosch Rexroth began in the early 1990s and has been consolidated with the introduction of Bosch Rexroth 4.0 components into the blow moulding machines. The first machine equipped with this technology was built at the end of 2018 to undergo a series of functional tests. The new machine will be capable of producing 3D ducts with very complex shapes, especially for the automotive sector.
Bosch Rexroth’s 4WRPEH and 4WRLE high dynamic valves with IO-Link interface are used for the control of hydraulic axes, the core of the machine: extrusion and parison thickness adjustment, press closure and PWDS are managed for the first time by IO-Link. The data generated from the IO-Link valves provides in-depth knowledge of the behaviour of components and their wear level. The IO-Link valves offer plenty of advantages, including simplified wiring, the reduction of electromagnetic interference and the possibility to implement predictive maintenance.