The use of an integrated communication platform reduces the number of interfaces and enables transparent access to the entire plant. Jetter, a leading automation specialist from Ludwigsburg, Germany, offers a secure basis for smooth automation solutions with its perfectly coordinated software and hardware: Controllers such as the JetControl 440MC are already cloud compatible. This allows direct access to the data from the controller in a flexible way. "Jetter offers straightforward solutions for the far-reaching changes that industry 4.0 will bring: mature, safe systems and active support in the realization of all process steps," says Christian Benz, CEO of Jetter AG, summarizing the advantages of the future-oriented portfolio. "We have many years of experience in networking machines and tools – so we are real IoT experts," says Benz.

Individual automation solutions
The complex automation solutions from Ludwigsburg offer a high degree of system integrity and diversity and share a common goal: Making the customer’s work easier and giving him the opportunity to produce economically from batch size 1. Jetter’s portfolio includes controllers, drives, motors and HMIs. "We are one of the very few medium-sized companies to offer a complete automation portfolio: from cabling to engineering software to commissioning. The size of the project is irrelevant. We automate projects with volumes ranging from a few dozen to several thousand devices a year. This is certainly a unique selling proposition and a great advantage for our customers," says Michael Feider, Head of Sales and Marketing.

Software as the basis for modern automation solutions
"In times of Industrie 4.0, the software used is becoming increasingly important for users in control technology – this is where all automation functions converge," says Steffen Schwips, Head of Innovation Management. "Therefore, a uniform software for the entire application reduces the programming effort considerably and, at the same time, supports transparent data exchange in the network. Jetter’s integrated development environment is JetSym, which covers all automation tasks – from motion control and path control through robotics with individual axis kinematics to axis groups that can be configured as required. The software offers the user comprehensive support for configuration, programming, commissioning and diagnostics of a machine. JetSym lets the customers easily implement the configuration of the OPC UA server on the controller. The manufacturer-independent communication protocol for automation applications in production enables communication between different machines and sensors in the smart factory and is thus the basis for Industrie 4.0.

With the provision of software libraries, Jetter now makes it easier for its customers to set up machines and systems. These libraries provide a set of standardized and pre-programmed basic functions of a machine which allows a faster development time and time to market. This significantly accelerates the set-up of plants and machines. Virtual commissioning of a JetControl controller is possible with an adapter via the SIMIT simulation platform from Siemens.

Jetter presents its Automation Dashboard for the first time at the trade fair. The dashboard enables customers to individually display important production key figures and process data. The interface is responsive and works purely browser-based, so that users worldwide can access it via conventional smartphones and tablets without the need for additional programs or plug-ins.

Screw capping application
Fully automated capping is one of the central requirements in the filling and handling/assembly industry. At SPS IPC Drives 2018, Jetter will be exhibiting the Rotation-Lift Module (RHM) which offers customers high flexibility in the capping process: The module has 360° endless free rotation in both directions and, de-pending on the type, has a stroke of up to 500mm. The look-ahead limit stop detection enables active braking before the stop, so that quick and precise screwing is possible. Since no separate torque sensor is required, users also reduce their costs. With the Rotation-Lift Module, different screwing processes are possible: Capping according to the number of threads of the product, torque- and/or angle-controlled screw capping, bayonet capping as well as reversing to the beginning of the thread. The module can be used very versatilely, for example in screw axes in capping machines, in pick&place systems or in the ZR axis in portal or Cartesian systems.
At its stand, Jetter will present a system equipped with an RHM module that fully automatically screws caps onto bottles.

Jetter AG will present its software and automation solutions at the SPS IPC Drives in Nuremberg from November 27 to 29, 2018 in hall 7, stand 106.