Construction Of Variable Cross-section Roll Forming Production Line Control System Based On SIMOTION Cluster Architecture

The variable cross-section roll forming is a kind of new metal forming technology which combines large forming force, multi-axis linkage movement and space synergic movement. It is a new type of complex sheet metal processing technology and has very high demand in hardware structures and software realization of control system, which developed from the traditional fixed cross-section roll forming. A single motion controller is difficult to meet processing demands, so multiple motion controller must be used and be controlled coordinately in the control system to complete the processing of the target element.Using SIMOTION cluster to achieve large-scale servo control effectively solves the problem that the increasing control scale can impact the servo control cycle in the variable cross-section roll forming production line. A single SIMOTION controller is restricted in control size and control servo cycle and can not realize large-scale servo control under the smallest servo cycle, using SIMOTION cluster can solve such problems effectively. The multiple SIMOTIOM motion controller in the SIMOTION cluster can work coordinately, each controller can be assigned to control the largest size in the smallest servo cycle. The PC control system centralize to control multiple master motion controller and slave control unit, it can remain the smallest servo cycle and achieve maximum control accuracy under the premise of large-scale control.This paper proposes the concept of motion controller cluster control system and introduces the topology of motion controller cluster and application in the variable cross-section roll forming system firstly. Secondly, it can be done to do hardware selection and hardware structures of production line control system according to the target machining part. The software of control system production line including PC software and lower machine software are developed under the hardware structures. The PC software is developed using VC++and the lower machine software is developed using SIMOTION SCOUT. Using TCP/IP realize communications between PC and lower machine. Lastly, the target part is produced in the variable cross-section roll forming production line.The experimental results show that control system for variable cross-section roll forming production line based on SIMOTION cluster architecture can complete the processing of complex part. The method of motion controller cluster has practical significance to control system of variable cross-section roll forming production line.