Vertical balers: disposal solutions for retail and commercial businesses

For the “V-Press” series, SPIE AUTOMATION carried out a new development of the control technology based on an embedded system in the year.

Challenge and Objective

Managing variants across different control systems was very time-consuming for HSM and involved high costs. In 2006, a new Machinery Directive was also introduced. To remain competitive in the market, the press control system was to be redeveloped. The old control system had proven itself over many years, but it was not open to innovations.

With regard to the press’s electrical and electronic components, the following was to be improved while staying within budget:

Standardized hardware for different press types
Reducing installation effort
Using the control system for additional press types
Implementation of the current EC Machinery Directive
Simplifying maintenance and service work
Improved ergonomics / operation

Solution

SPIE AUTOMATION was first commissioned to carry out a cost analysis. The question was where costs could be reduced in the V-Press series. The analysis showed that redeveloping the control system and using new electrical components (e.g., contactor and power supply) would be advisable. After HSM commissioned SPIE AUTOMATION with the development, the project phases were defined.

Concept phase:

Design of the circuit concept
Review of safety requirements
Component engineering
Creation of the operating concept
Enclosure concept
Definition of the software structure
Selection of the development environment
Preparation of the phase completion documentation

Design phase:

Detailing and drawing the circuit diagram
Creating the layout
Enclosure design
Creating drawings
Procurement of materials for a functional sample
Building and commissioning a functional sample
Development of the controller firmware for the V-Press series
Development of the application software
Implementation of the software
Preparation of the phase completion documentation

Prototype phase:

Material procurement
Assembly production
Building the prototypes
Software creation / optimization / testing
Commissioning the assemblies
Commissioning the prototypes
Commissioning on the real machine
Testing / troubleshooting / optimization
Preparation of the phase completion documentation

Validation phase:

Hardware and software validation
In-house system test
Verification of suitability for series production
Acceptance tests with the BG ETEM test center (EMC test and environmental test)
Preparation of the phase completion documentation

Implementing the new Machinery Directive was uncharted territory for everyone involved at the time. The SPIE AUTOMATION project team immersed itself deeply in the subject and worked in close coordination with the relevant employers’ liability insurance association. The development-accompanying documentation for the project was produced strictly in accordance with standards and was very extensive. It comprised around 30 documents with prepared specifications, e.g., for safety functions, requirements specification, system requirements, system description, validation plans, circuit diagrams, test reports, safety calculations.

Benefits

HSM was able to market the HSM V-Press vertical balers in compliance with the new market guidelines and thus secure an advantage over the competition. The streamlined control electronics helped reduce costs. The new, attractive operating concept was particularly service- and maintenance-friendly. The platform was also open and flexible for future expansions.

These SPIE AUTOMATION Strengths Were Applied

Dynamic and eager-to-learn team that works close to the market
Extensive experience in embedded systems and plant engineering
Solution-oriented approach and determination
Complete Development Service from a Single Source
Broad supplier network from previous product developments
Simple company structure for uncomplicated project execution

About Our Client

HSM GmbH + Co. KG is a market-leading company for products and services in environmental and office technology. Nearly 900 employees and more than 100 service and sales partners worldwide are integrated into the HSM network and serve thousands of customers around the globe.

Industry
Environmental and office technology

We look back on close communication and a successful collaboration with SPIE AUTOMATION. The control system developed back then served as the basis for a standardized control concept for our HSM V-Press range, which we were able to build on. Since then, it has been further developed and has continuously grown along with the expansion of our product range.

Jan-Peter Krupczynski
Managing Director
HSM

Do you already have a project in mind?

We’re happy to assist you with planning and implementation.