August 23, 2006 -- Girard Engineering Inc. Strongsville, OH, has been awarded a contract to upgrade the electrical control system on a 1,200-ton hydraulic press at McInnes Rolled Ring, in Erie, PA.
Girard specializes in custom automation for the forging industry, including modernizations for hydraulic presses, mechanical press controls, robotic cell integration, and ring-rolling machine upgrades.
At McInness, Girard will replace the current control system with a modern system using a PLC system based on Allen-Bradley Control Logix- based PLC system. This system will improve measuring to achieve better ring-blank dimensions. Also, the new control system will bring the electrical controls up to date with all applicable OSHA safety requirements for hydraulic forging presses.
According to Girard, together with the updated HMI package the new control system will reduce the potential for machine down time and help to maximize production at McInnes.