Eco-Mode - Sustainable solutions that save energy
Customer focus is an important concept for us at Wemo, as is sustainability. An automation solution from us should create added value for you as a customer. Wemo's product range includes robot systems, material handling solutions, gripping systems, and accessories that enable smart and safe production. In addition to contributing to safer and more efficient production, our automation solutions also enable you to reduce energy consumption. In this article, we present two ways that help our customers, mainly in the plastics industry, to keep energy consumption down – Eco Mode and Air Saving Control (ASC). To tell you more about these tools in detail, we have enlisted the help of Per Andersson, who works in Wemo's electrical hardware design department.
The Eco Mode function can reduce energy consumption. Is it easy to activate Eco Mode?
Yes, it's easy. Either activate the function with a button on the operator panel, or use a variable in the program to automatically activate/deactivate Eco Mode.
Do you always recommend that Eco Mode be activated?
No, unfortunately it does not always work, as it depends on how you use our robots. Eco Mode is only suitable when the cycle time is reasonably constant.
If you are unsure whether the function is suitable for your robot, please contact the Wemo Service Center.
How does Eco Mode work?
The robot's control system measures the time from when the robot is ready to pick up a part until the injection molding machine opens the tool. If the measured time is longer than a preset maximum limit, the speed and acceleration of all movements outside the injection molding machine are reduced. If the time is shorter, the speed and acceleration are increased. The measurement is repeated continuously until a stable waiting time is achieved, which then becomes the robot's Eco Mode speed.
How much energy can be saved?
It depends on the robot's cycle time, but in general, our own test programs show that you can save up to 25 percent, depending on the application.
Another advantage of Eco Mode, in addition to pure energy savings, is that wear and tear on the robot is reduced because it does not run faster than necessary.
Another way to reduce energy consumption is to activate ASC (Air Saving Control) when using vacuum cups. What can you tell us about ASC?
ASC works for all vacuum cups where the detail is smooth and tight so that air leakage is minimal. If the detail is porous, heavily patterned, or leaks in any other way, ASC is not suitable.
ASC is standard and is activated/deactivated in the program settings.
How does ASC work?
When the desired vacuum level is reached, the vacuum ejector is switched off. The level is continuously monitored and if it falls below the set level, the ejector starts again. This process continues until you choose to switch off the vacuum.
If the leak in the vacuum circuit becomes too large, ASC automatically shuts off until the vacuum is activated again.
If the part is tight and the gripper does not leak air, what are the advantages of ASC?
Producing compressed air requires relatively high electricity consumption, and compressors are also expensive to purchase and maintain – in other words, compressed air is expensive. With the ASC function, you can reduce compressed air consumption by up to 90 percent!
Thanks, Per!
