The FeederType represents a device that transports material in an uncontrolled or controlled way. In the second case, the Feeder acts as a dosing unit. A feeder transports the material to a defined destination. This can be directly a barrel zone, but also another feeder which collects materials from several feeders above.

image007.png

Figure 2 – FeederType Overview

Table 3 – FeederType Definition

Attribute

Value

BrowseName

FeederType

IsAbstract

False

References

Node Class

BrowseName

DataType

TypeDefinition

Other

Subtype of 3:DriveType defined in OPC 40083

0:HasProperty

Variable

Id

0:String

0:PropertyType

M, RO

0:HasProperty

Variable

Name

0:LocalizedText

0:PropertyType

M, RO

0:HasProperty

Variable

IsPresent

0:Boolean

0:PropertyType

M, RO

0:HasProperty

Variable

Target

0:String

0:PropertyType

M, RO

0:HasProperty

Variable

IsControlled

0:Boolean

0:PropertyType

O, RO

0:HasProperty

Variable

Mode

FeedingModeEnumeration

0:PropertyType

M, RO

0:HasComponent

Object

Throughput

3:MonitoredParameterType

O, RO

0:HasComponent

Object

Hopper

HopperType

O

The Name Property gives the name of the feeder/dosing unit and is used as reference in the Target. Unique within the extruder

The Description Property gives a description of the feeder/dosing unit.

The IsPresent Property provides information if the feeder/dosing unit is physically installed and connected.

The IsActive Property provides information if the fedder/dosing unit is active in the current production.

The Target Property provides information to where the feeder brings the material. This can be a barrel zone (ExtrusionTemperatureZone) but also another feeder. The value of the Target Property shall be equal to the value of the Id Property of the relevant ExtrusionTemperatureZone or feeder.

NOTE: The Id Property is modelled inside the MeasuringDeviceType which is the basis for all zones.

The IsControlled Property provides information, if the feeder is controlled (by a valve, screw, …) or not (material just falls through by gravity).

The Mode Property provides information, how the throughput of the feeder is controlled.

Table 4 – FeedingModeEnumeration Definition

Name

Value

Description

ONLY_CONVEYING

0

The throughput is not controlled. The feeder only transports the material (e.g. by screw, conveyor belt) or the material is only falling through a feed opening

OTHER

1

Throughput is controlled, but in another mode than these below

GRAVIMETRIC

2

The throughput is controlled by a gravimetric dosing system.

VOLUMETRIC

3

The throughput is controlled by a volumetric dosing system.

LIQUID

4

The throughput of liquid material is controlled by a pump.

BATCH

5

The throughput is controlled by a batch dosing system.

Note In this case, each material has an own feeder although there is only one physical system.

Current throughput of the feeder/dosing unit in mass per time (e.g. kg/h). Although the modelling rule for this node is optional to cover also pure feeders, it is mandatory for dosing units. The MonitoredParameterType is defined in OPC 40083.