Pressing: Synchronize 55 Actuators with Programmable Position, Force Control, and Dwell Hold Time on Commercial Glulam Beam Press

A fabricated lumber products manufacturer had a project to build large presses to produce glulam and LVL structural lumber components. Traditionally, these types of presses used large HPUs and hydraulic cylinder actuators; however, they were concerned that hydraulics had many disadvantages, including high energy consumption, excessive maintenance, and leaks that caused product spoilage and downtime.

For this project, the manufacturer wanted to use electric servo actuators on both the vertical press and horizontal material alignment mechanisms. Key project objectives included: saving energy, eliminating hydraulic fluid replenishment and disposal costs, reducing maintenance, and improving facility safety and ergonomics. The project required high-force electric linear actuators that produced up to 75,000 lbs. of force per actuator. The control system needed to be programmable for different end products and be able to synchronize the operation of 55 total actuators with programmable position and force control and dwell hold time.