Huller Hille Transfer Line retrofitted with SINUMERIK 840Di for Holden Engine Plant


CNC Design have recently completed a retrofit project on multi spindle drilling station which is a component of Huller Hille transfer line for machining engine casting in Holden's motor engine plant. The machine is a single axis multi-spindle drilling machine with two interchangeable head which can be automatically loaded and deposited to a headrest. The machine station has a control interface with other machine stations in the transfer line for ensuring production sequences.

The old CNC control, SINUMERIK System 3, has become obsolete while existing analog servodrive, axis servomotor and spindle motor are still in proper condition.

Having a very tight and critical production schedule, the retrofit has to be done in shortest time possible. This led CNC Design to offer a CNC retrofit package which enable the reuse of existing analog axis servomotor/servodrive and spindle motor while injecting latest features on CNC machining and communication interface.

Siemens CNC control SINUMERIK 840Di is the uncompromising solution in this particular application. Using the add on Analog Digital Interface card (ADI4) running over Profibus-DP, it is possible for the CNC control to transmit the speed setpoint into the analog servodrive in form of analog signal +/- 10VDC while keep processing all other numerical tasks and process signals on digitally over Profibus-DP. This ensures fast and accurate machining activities.

Since the Profibus-DP is used as the communication bus, it is made possible to replace old actual Grey-coded encoder for head change control with Siemens Profibus-DP Absolute Encoder offering better resolution and reliable operation. The retrofit package is rounded off with the supply of new cabinet gear tray for the new CNC/PLC interface.