11 ComponentType

11.1 ComponentType definition

The ComponentType represents a device which brings material into the dosing system. For the component name, the Node Attribute DisplayName shall be used.

The ComponentType is abstract. A derived subtype, either for continuous dosing (ContinuousComponentType) or discontinuous dosing (BatchComponentType) shall be used.

Free falling components shall be modelled with DosingMode “Only_Conveying”.

11.2 IsPresent

The IsPresent flag indicates if the hardware of this component is installed. This IsPresent system is used for those Dosing equipment manufacturers using a fixed OPC UA model for different hardware models

11.3 SetActive

The SetActive variable activates the dosing component for the current production. SetActive = False deactivates the component, even if the setpoint is bigger than 0 % in the recipe.

NOTE: In some cases where the dosing Percentage setpoint of this component is bigger than 0 % and SetActive = False, the real total material output of the dosing station is not 100 % but 100 %-x % of this component.

Example: a dosing station with 3 components, respectively 80%, 15%, 5% and an Extruder Throughput demand of 100 kg/h. The component of 5 % SetActive = False. The dosing system will actually supply 95 % (95 kg/h).

11.4 IsActive

The IsActive Property provides information if the dosing component is active in the current production.

11.5 State

The State property of this component to read the actual working state of the component.

11.6 FeedrateScalingFactor

Material-specific output of the Component per DrivePercentage.

Example:

A dosing screw with a maximum rotational speed of 300 rpm, the material output flow is 900 grams per second. 300 rpm means 100 % DrivePercentage. The Feedrate would then be 900/100 = 9 gram per % per second (g/(%*s))

Running at 50 % DrivePercentage, the output will be 50*9 = 450 g/s.

Example:

A vibrational feeder running at 50 Hz, the material output flow is 10 gram per second. The maximum frequency of the feeder is 250 Hz. 250 Hz equals 100 % DrivePercentage, 50 Hz equals 20 % DrivePercentage. The feederate is 10/20 = 0.5 gram per % per second (g/%/s).

11.7 Throughput

Material Output per time.

Unit: kg/h or lb/h

11.8 DosingMode

The DosingMode Property provides information, how the dosing of the component is controlled.

11.9 ElectricalEnergy

Information about the electrical power and energy consumption of the component. The EnergyType is defined in OPC 40083.

11.10 Material

Information about the material used in the component. The MaterialType is defined in OPC 40083.

11.11 Weight

Weight of the Material (e.g. inside the hopper).

Unit: g or oz

11.12 BulkDensity

Bulk density of the material which is dosed (not to be confused with the density of the material itself defined in MaterialType).

Unit: kg/l or lb/gal or lb/ft³

11.13 IdentifyComponent

The dosing component on which this method is called shows itself by e.g. activation of a LED.

Signature:	IdentifyComponent();

NOTE: This Method is identical to the IdentifyDevice Method in OPC 40082-1.

11.14 StartCleaning

Start the automated cleaning sequence for this component. Once cleaning the component State will be set to Cleaning and can be used to monitor if cleaning sequence has finished.

Method without arguments.

Signature:	StartCleaning();

11.15 AbortCleaning

Method without arguments to abort the current cleaning sequence. If the device MachineryItemState is NotAvailable, the component State shall switch to Off, otherwise to Ready.

Signature:	AbortCleaning();

11.16 Levels

Information about the filling of the dosing component. The LevelsType is defined in chapter 12.

11.17 MaterialConsumption

Information about the material consumption of the component. The MaterialConsumptionType is defined in chapter 13.

11.18 StartCalibration

Start the automated calibration sequence for this component. Once calibrating the State will be set to “Calibration” and can be used to monitor if the calibration sequence has finished.

Material and BulkDensity should be supported.

Method without arguments.

Signature:	StartCalibration();

11.19 AbortCalibration

Abort the current calibration sequence for this component.

Method without arguments.

Signature:	AbortCalibration();

11.20 ContinuousComponentType

11.20.1 ContinuousComponentType definition

The ContinuousComponentType is a subtype of the abstract ComponentType and describes Components, where the materials are fed to the production machine in a continuous flow instead of batches. Injection moulding can be considered as continuous flow during plastification.

The ContinuousComponentType is formally defined in 11.20.

The dosing can be controlled with either (and only one of) Percentage or DrivePercentage.

11.20.2 Percentage

Part (%) of the recipe dosed by this component (recipe).

11.20.3 WeighingProcess

The weighing process can be used to perform a material pre-calibration or to determine the feedrate of the dosing system used by this component.

The WeighingProcessType is defined in chapter 15.

11.20.4 DrivePercentage

Relative value (0-100%) of the maximum drive power of the component drive.

Example:

A dosing screw with a maximum rotational speed of 300 rpm. 300 rpm equals 100% DrivePercentage. At 50% DrivePercentage the screw rotates 150 rpm.

11.20.5 StartPriming

Method to start the priming function on the component. No arguments.

Once priming, the component State will be set to “Priming” and can be used to monitor if priming is active.

Signature:	StartPriming();

11.20.6 StopPriming

Method to stop the priming function on the component. No arguments.

Signature:	StopPriming();

11.21 BatchComponentType

11.21.1 BatchComponentType definition

The BatchComponentType is a subtype of the abstract ComponentType and describes Components, where the materials are fed to the production machine in batches e.g. prepared by a batch blender.

11.21.2 Percentage

Part (%) of the recipe dosed by this component (recipe).