Improved ease of installation for conveyors

WITH MCP PLAY, conveyor systems can be implemented more easily and quickly, operated more cost-effectively and energy-efficiently, and achieve up to 100% higher throughput.

Since its introduction in 2014, Interroll’s Modular Conveyor Platform (MCP) and control interfaces at the bus level have allowed users and integrators to build conveyor systems with ease.

With the MCP PLAY feature, an addition to the standard ZPA or IO mode, conveyor systems can now be configured more easily and controlled in a decentralised, embedded manner. MCP PLAY reduces programming and commissioning efforts and eliminates the ‘one package per zone’ constraint, enabling increased throughput and lower energy consumption. Additionally, the new Interroll commissioning tool allows integrators and operators to check system status, change configurations, and enable tracking features. All functions and workflows are pre-configured in the Interroll layouter tool for each MultiControl unit and can be quickly assigned and installed during commissioning. This innovation lowers costs and reduces dependence on PLC programming specialists.

Flowing Merge

A key feature of MCP PLAY is the Flowing Merge function. The innovation lies in the decentralised and embedded control of this functionality – instead of having to program this with a lot of effort, it comes out of the box and just needs to be configured. In place of stopping material before merging two conveyor lines, MCP PLAY reduces the speed in the section before the merge, allowing the material to continue flowing.

According to calculations by Fraunhofer IML, continuous flow, higher average speeds, and increased conveying capacity can boost system throughput by up to 100% compared to the ZPA solution.

MCP PLAY is designed as a modular add-on to the MCP hardware and can be applied to both new and existing MCP installations using the 24V/48V RollerDrive in combination with the MultiControl with BUS interface. The software offers an intuitive user interface and supports all major WMS and IoT shop floor systems while incorporating robust cybersecurity measures. The decentralised control reduces data exchange within the system environment, resulting in lower latency and improved monitoring, responsiveness, and system flexibility.

Interroll managing director Hilton Campbell says: “MCP has been going for 10 years and has been very successful. We have launched MCP Play to build on its strengths, such as much faster commissioning for integrators. A lot of the PLC work is done already, so integrators can use their resources to tackle higher value tasks.

“In my opinion, this comes at a great time for the market, as measures such as the rise of national insurance costs for employers mean more companies will look at automation.

“I am also anticipating there could be decreases in UK interest rates throughout the year, and if so, that could help the investment picture considerably.

“We’re already seeing Tier 2 integrators who are being enabled by new technology, and can deliver very good solutions, fast, and at an interesting pricepoint. There is a considerable opportunity here.”