i-Web Puts the Finishing Touches on Modular Web Finishing Systems for Commercial Printing

All signals ride on the same bus
During print production, the “web” is transported through the i-Web machine via multiple pull rolls that all have direct-drive motors which must run synchronously. Additional equipment such as die cutters, perforators, gluers and cutters must stay in perfect sync with the finishing process. Furthermore, there are many stepper motors used to move turn bars, compensators, digital print heads, etc. To control these elements, i-Web uses Beckhoff EL7031 and EL7041 EtherCAT Terminals; these are I/O terminals that function as ultra-compact drives for fully-integrated stepper motor control.