Introduction to Packaging Equipment
From cardboard boxes and foam to shrink wrap, blister packs, bottling machines, and carton sealers, packaging products can be just as critical as the manufacturing processes. Because many packaging processes require heat or curing to seal products, SCR power controllers are often selected as critical elements of the packaging equipment.
An SCR power controller use case is drying ink of a printing process. Cardboard cereal boxes are heavily coated in ink that must be heat cured on a high-speed web conveyor infrared drying system. This system relies on SCR power controllers to precisely control the drying temperature and provide consistent results at high speeds. Additionally, the use of SCR controllers allows PLCs to proportionally control the power output. As a result, ramping conveyor speed for increased production will increase the heater’s output power proportionally to keep boxes drying properly.
Unlike mechanical contactors that cycle fully ON and OFF, SCR controllers regulate power proportionally. This creates smoother heating behavior and tighter thermal control throughout the production process to dry ink without fading.
Supported Applications
Control Concepts power controllers power the following packaging applications and many more:
- Cardboard web conveyors
- Wire foam cutting
- Vacuum forming
- Encapsulation
- Hot bag sealing
- Wax carton sealing
- Canning and bottling processes
- Sanitization or pasteurization processes
The Right SCR Power Controllers for This Industry
Control Concepts SCR controllers are engineered for industrial durability and long-term reliability. Features such as soft-start capability, current limiting, advanced diagnostics, and overcurrent protection help improve system stability while protecting heaters and electrical equipment from unnecessary stress.
| Model | Firing Mode | Voltage | Current Range | Digital Capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATOM single phase | Fast Zero Cross Zero Cross Phase Angle | 24-600 VAC | 16-65A | EtherNet/IP Modbus TCP PROFINET |
| ATOM three phase | Fast Zero Cross Zero Cross Phase Angle | 24–600 VAC | 16–80A AC | EtherNet/IP Modbus TCP PROFINET |
| MicroFUSION single phase | Fast Zero Cross Zero Cross Phase Angle | 24–690 VAC | 8–400A AC | EtherNet/IP Modbus TCP PROFINET |
| MicroFUSION three phase | Fast Zero Cross Zero Cross Phase Angle | 24–690 VAC | 8–400A AC | EtherNet/IP Modbus TCP PROFINET |
Engineering Support for Packaging Equipment
Control Concepts works with OEMs, system integrators that design packaging equipment to optimize SCR power control solutions for packaging applications. Our team of engineering experts can size your SCR, support multi-zone heating, evaluate transformer loads, troubleshoot, and more. Contact us to learn how we can power your process.
