Dedicated Industrial Solutions

14-11-2007

The new Cannon “A-Compact” has been developed to give a concrete response to the needs mostly expressed by the users: simplicity of management, high technical and quality standards, efficiency and reliability, keeping the investment costs down.

Ever since its initial presentation, the “A-Compact” series has aroused great interest on the market and has quickly become commercially successful. Apart from particular types of application which use charged materials, the “A-Compact” models are now widespread and used to produce a wide range of Polyurethane foams in the most varied of applications: from rigid low-density Polyurethane s for thermal insulation to flexible foam cushioning for the car industry and furnishings, from wood imitation to manufactured products in integral skin.

The “A-Compact” high-pressure models are often the ideal solution for those customers wishing to replace low-pressure machines with a more modern technology with low environmental impact. This series is the tangible result of Cannon's commitment to developing and designing its machines using the most sophisticated technologies available. Based on the design of the well-known Cannon “A-System”, the new “A-Compact” series can, for all purposes, be considered a compact version of it, adopting the same components.

The rational design means that all the machine modules – tanks, metering and electric panel – can be positioned on a single base, while the open structure allows excellent accessibility to all the parts for their easy maintenance and cleaning. Easy to transport, requiring less room for installation, immediately ready to start production – a “Plug & Play” unit – the “A-Compact” has been a hit on the market.

Metering Module
Cannon has developed a complete series of high-pressure pumps – with fixed and variable output – which have been very successfully utilised for several years now. These Cannon pumps represent a valid alternative to the models commonly available on the market: their intrinsic reliability, metering accuracy and efficiency makes them now widely used all over the world. Pumps are usually connected to the motors by means of a mechanical joint, where a double gasket ensures the seal. On the Isocyanate side this is kept constantly lubricated, to guarantee a longer useful life.
Controls and Operator Interface
All the machine functions are monitored and controlled in real time by a PLC interfaced to a dedicated control panel, based on Siemens “Touch Screen” technology.
All the main process data can be set by means of a keypad and displayed on the screen so that the operator can easily manage the process parameters.

Mixing heads
The “A-Compact” metering machines can be equipped with two models of high-pressure mixing head:
• Cannon FPL with an “L-shaped” mixing chamber for low and high-output laminar flows, suitable for open-mould pouring and for all formulations. Its reliability, compactness and low maintenance make this head the essential component to obtain high-quality products.
• Cannon LN with a straight mixing chamber, simple and economical, suitable for applications with rigid foam at low density, at low and high output levels..
All the “A-Compact” versions are equipped with a hardware package and software for the independent calibration of the components through the mixing head.

Technical Manual on CD-ROM
All the “A-Compact” metering machines come with a CD-ROM containing the machine's technical manual in electronic format. The manual, including Maintenance and Spare Parts sections, is very user-friendly and easy to be consulted also by non skilled operators.

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AVAILABLE VERSIONS

Variable output pumps
Model equipped with variable-output high pressure pump and with no frequency control devices. The output is adjusted manually by means of the hand wheel on the metering pumps.
Fixed output pumps
These units are equipped with fixed-output pumps and devices to control the motor speed frequency. The motor turning speed is adjusted by means of the output control in open loop while a special frequency control keeps any speed variation constant. With this solution, the pump output can also be set from the operator control panel by setting the frequency required.
Closed Loop
Independently on the pumps type installed, the machine circuit is completed with flow transducers positioned on the component lines, for the automatic closed-loop control of the output and ratio. In this system the values set for these parameters are constantly compared with those measured in real time by the control devices. Whenever deviations beyond the tolerances allowed are recorded, the control system adjusts the values, altering the motor speed to guarantee that the ratio between the components is kept stable. The self-adjustment function is guaranteed by the combined action of the flow transducers and the frequency checks, which manage the turning speed of the metering pump motors. The accuracy and precision of the closed loop control developed by Cannon has been statistically proven in that it has passed the most severe tests with the most critical working conditions.
k 2007/07