Description

With the help of the Modular Conveyor Platform (MCP), consisting of roller conveyors and belt conveyors in various designs, lifts, switches, spiral conveyors, etc., almost any conveying task for objects up to 50 kg can be implemented flexibly. With the MCP PLAY option, conveyor systems can be configured more easily and controlled in a decentralized manner. With MCP PLAY, work becomes more efficient from planning to commissioning. Layout and configuration of the material flow replace PLC programming. The result can be checked using simulation. The heart of the commissioning is software that communicates with the installed MultiControl controllers. Each MultiControl has an integrated web server and BUS interfaces. The visualized user interface makes it easy for integrators and operators to check the system status and change configurations.

Another MCP PLAY innovation is the Flowing Merge function. The conveyed material is kept flowing by reducing the speed on the section before two conveyor lines merge and not stopping as before. This reduces energy consumption and the required connected load, as starting currents and peak loads are avoided. Noise emissions are also reduced.
MCP PLAY brings a significant increase in efficiency for throughput, as containers and cartons can be transported one after the other on the conveyor line at a shorter distance. The continuous flow and increased conveying capacity can significantly increase the system’s throughput.

Innovations

The use of MCP PLAY and the elimination or simplified connection of PLCs significantly reduces the complexity and programming effort involved in planning, installing, configuring, analysing and troubleshooting conveyor systems. This reduces costs and the dependency on specialists for PLC programming.
The Interroll Layouter, which is available for planning a conveyor system, can be used to create a digital image of the system in advance. All functions and workflows for each individual MultiControl are pre-programmed and can be quickly assigned and installed during commissioning. This reduces commissioning time enormously.
The reduced data exchange within the system environment thanks to decentralised control results in lower latencies and reduces the overall complexity of the IT environment. The connection to higher-level IT systems such as the WMS is also significantly simplified.
MCP PLAY replaces the previous zone conveying system and the associated start/stop operations. The intelligent control system optimises all processes in the conveying zones holistically and thus achieves a continuous material flow. The new logic enables fluent merging according to the zip principle and shorter distances between the individual conveying objects. This increases the conveying capacity and throughput while reducing energy consumption and improving the service life of the drives.

Market relevance

With MCP PLAY, the use of conveyor systems from smaller applications to high-performance systems becomes more efficient. Demanding projects and complex systems with very high throughputs and scenarios that require routing and tracking functions can be realised much faster. The various cost and efficiency benefits optimise the return on investment (ROI) and shorten the payback period. This opens up new fields of application for the use of conveyor systems.

MCP PLAY’s modular plug-and-play approach makes it easy to adapt the layout and system settings to new requirements and reuse the individual modules. This is an interesting feature, especially for e-commerce merchants with volatile seasonal order structures or 3PL service providers who are regularly confronted with changes in their customer base.
With MCP PLAY, shorter project lead times can be realised as the entire process from planning and ordering to installation and commissioning is digitalised. This enables system integrators to fulfil their customers’ requirements much more quickly.

Customer benefits

MCP PLAY as a modular addition to the MCP hardware: The new solution is based on the proven energy-efficient MCP hardware and can be applied to all existing and new MCP installations that use the 24V/48V RollerDrive in conjunction with the MultiControl with BUS interface

Decentralised automation and reduced overall complexity of the IT environment: MCP PLAY offers new intelligent principles and decentralisation in material flow control. It utilises open standards and an intuitive user interface. The solution supports all major WMS and IOT shop floor systems as well as the highest protection mechanisms for cyber security and regulatory requirements. The reduced data exchange within the system environment thanks to decentralised control results in lower latencies and reduces the overall complexity of the IT environment.

Shorter project times and faster commissioning: All functions and workflows are pre-programmed in advance in the digital image of the system for each MultiControl and can be quickly assigned and installed during commissioning. By dispensing with the use of a PLC, the programming effort is reduced and other processes and devices with and without a PLC can be connected more quickly.

Higher throughput and capacity: With the new ‘Flowing Merge’ and ‘Adjust-to-Gap’ functions, a continuous material flow is also realised for merges and infeeds and the distances between the cartons and containers are reduced. In this way, more objects can be transported on the same system.

Fast return on investment (ROI) and short amortisation period.

Improved sustainability and ergonomics: Continuous, energy-efficient system operation without start/stop operations reduces energy requirements and noise emissions while increasing the service life of the drives.