Mobile Conveyor Control Systems

Learn how DynaGen controllers, Tyro radio remote control and Messenger telemetry products can be used to create an integrated control solution.

Mobile Conveyors Provide Flexibility and Efficiency

rock crusher mobile conveyor with a rock pile

Mobile conveyors are widely used in agriculture, aggregate production, construction, and mining and offer a range of benefits that can be greatly enhanced with wireless automation and tight integration to engine and machine control. Combined with engine and machine control solutions, mobile conveyors become easily adjustable, allowing for quick adaptation to changing process needs. A mobile conveyor enabled with wireless automation can improve production capacity while providing a wider field of view, enhancing safety for operators when transporting hazardous materials.

Integrated Controls Can Boost Productivity and Safety

Operating mobile conveyors efficiently requires intelligent machine control systems to effectively control and regulate movement and overall performance while enhancing operator safety. Utilizing Cattron’s application engineering expertise and an integrated controls approach will result in optimized control over the conveyor’s speed, direction, and material-carrying capacity. The system architecture can be set up to enable a radio remote control option. Wireless remote controls allow operators to interact with the conveyor without any physical interface, boosting safety and efficiency. Incorporating our cloud-based telematics solutions can add another level of intelligence, enabling real-time monitoring, remote diagnostics, and machine tracking.

The Cattron integrated controls approach can add significant value to your business.  Machine operators will benefit from our market-leading technology and system expertise:

remoteIQ on desktop computer with dynagen and tyro industrial remote controls
  • Integrated DynaGen™ engine controllers offer end users reliable control over engine performance in extremely harsh environments. They are a central point of monitoring for warnings and failures, providing seamless engine and conveyor control integration. DynaGen controllers can transform mechanical systems into a J1939 gateway and enhance the communication interfaces to other devices and systems.
  • Tyro™radio remote control solutions offer end users a way of controlling speed, direction, height, and on/off functions without being at the control panel, increasing operator safety.
  • Cloud-based monitoring with RemoteIQ™ allows end users to track high-value equipment through GPS location monitoring and provides remote equipment visibility and oversight through intuitive dashboards and alarm notifications.

Choosing the Right Engine Control Partner

Our integrated solutions are designed to meet the needs of both machine OEMs and end users. We offer durable plug-and-play engine controllers and panels, including rapid prototyping, variable speed capabilities, wireless remote control modules, cloud-based remote monitoring and diagnostics. In addition, our CANbus-based hardware seamlessly connects everything, using optimized wire harnesses, sensors and HMI products.

Our comprehensive approach means we work closely with the Engine OEM and the Machine OEM to boost productivity, ensure maximum uptime and prioritize safety.

Contact us for a consultation.


Integrated Mobile Conveyor Control

A comprehensive solution incorporating DynaGen engine controllers with a Tyro wireless remote control for safety.

Optimize Equipment Operations with Remote Monitoring

remoteiq demo screens for messenger lite telemetry monitoringEnhance equipment performance and streamline operations with the power of telemetry. Remote monitoring technology enables businesses to monitor and manage large, dispersed equipment fleets from anywhere. It allows you to remotely track your equipment, measure performance, and receive critical warnings and alerts. The result is maximized equipment uptime and greatly reduced field service labor and overhead costs.

By implementing a remote monitoring system, businesses can benefit from improved visibility into their operations, increased efficiency in maintenance and repair activities, enhanced customer satisfaction through faster response times, lower operational costs, and better asset utilization. Furthermore, a remote monitoring system can reduce downtime by quickly pinpointing problems with equipment before they become more significant.

Selecting the Right Remote Monitoring System

Choosing the ideal telemetry system is pivotal for ensuring seamless integration and optimal results. Consider the following factors when selecting the perfect fit for your business:

  • Wireless data network coverage, cost, and longevity
  • Ease of device installation and activation
  • Hardware power requirements
  • Scalability to accommodate future growth
  • Availability of customer support resources and responsiveness
  • 3rd party access to machine data through software APIs

Additionally, it is important to consider the size of your business and the type of equipment you are looking to monitor.

Implementing Remote Monitoring

Once you have chosen a remote monitoring system for your business, several steps must be taken to set it up and maintain it. Follow these steps to set up and maintain a successful implementation:

  • Hardware installation and connectivity assurance
  • Configuration of software features such as alarms and notifications
  • Comprehensive training for sales and service personnel
  • Regular system testing and performance evaluation
  • Strategic planning for responding to any issues or triggered alarms
remoteiq screens for messenger lite telemetry monitoring

To maximize the remote monitoring system’s potential, consider the following operational tips:

  • Real-time equipment performance monitoring with proactive adjustments
  • Alert configuration for maintenance and repair needs
  • Create user profiles for streamlined equipment data access
  • Automate data collection and reporting processes to save time and effort
  • Use data analysis software tools to identify operational trends
  • Implement predictive maintenance protocols to reduce unplanned downtime

Maximize Equipment Performance through Telemetry

Discover the capabilities of remote monitoring systems that bolster operational efficiency while curtailing costs. Telemetry can increase visibility into operations, help streamline processes, and improve asset utilization. Additionally, they empower businesses to anticipate and avert potential issues, mitigating costly downtime.

Explore our Messenger remote monitoring product portfolio that seamlessly integrates with the RemoteIQ™ cloud-based monitoring service to optimize customer operations.

Dependable electronics are an absolute necessity in hazardous environments. However, the combination of combustible gases or dust with an arc or a spark from these products can potentially cause devastating fires or explosions. Whether you are at the chemical plant, on your oil platform or offshore drilling rig, in your mill, or somewhere equally as dangerous, all of your equipment is likely carrying a hazardous rating like Class I Div 2, Class I Div 1, IECEx/ATEX Zone 1 or Zone 2. But what does that mean exactly and how does this affect what lighting you should buy? Read on for more clarity on hazardous environments and ratings.

What is a hazardous location?

Hazardous locations are in more places than you think and it’s important to be aware of them if you are purchasing electronic equipment including LED lighting. Even your local gas/petrol station is considered a hazardous location because of the potential for an explosion. If, for example, a spark or lit cigarette collides with a drop or puddle of gasoline – FIRE! Your gas station needs hazardous-rated lighting.

According to UL (a US-based global certification laboratory), a hazardous location is “where explosion or fire hazards exist due to the presence of flammable gases, flammable or combustible liquid-produced vapors, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings.”

This could mean anything from the obvious like a drilling rig or chemical plant where highly flammable substances are mined or processed. Or it could mean the less obvious like a mill or sugar processing facility where the minute particles in the air have the potential to create a spark in the right conditions. Each facility is rated differently, based on their potential for explosion, which we’ll dive deeper into below.

What are some of the hazardous UL Ratings?

UL ratings are seen and adhered to most often in North America but do apply to countries in South America, Asia, and the Middle East. When looking at a hazardous UL rating, you’ll find the Class first and then the Division.

Dialight most often sees and certifies Class I, II, and III. The main difference between the three is the presence of flammable gases/vapors; combustible or conductive dust; or fibers like wood chips and cotton (see the chart below). The lower the Class the higher the hazard.

The Division (1 or 2) is what defines the likelihood of there being hazardous substances in enough ignitable concentrations in the atmosphere (i.e. what is the likelihood that there is enough gas or dust in a given situation that it would ignite or explode and what is the circumstance for that). If your facility is Div 1, it means that the particles or gases/vapors created at your facility are always potentially going to ignite and severe caution is needed to prevent a spark (think chemical processing). Div 2 means that an explosion or fire could only happen in the event of some breakdown or system failure but that extreme caution should still be observed to prevent catastrophe (ex. A platform in an oil refinery may be a CI D2 environment as the decks tend to be outdoors and far enough away from the source of the flammable gas. It would only become hazardous if an abnormal condition occurred like a valve failure or similar accident.)

UL_Haz_Doc

What are some hazardous ATEX Ratings?

IECEx/ATEX ratings are seen most often in Europe, Australia, and parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. They are relatively similar to UL ratings in that the lower the Zone the higher the probability is for fire or explosion based on the materials present and their concentration in the atmosphere. Both UL and ATEX classify certain substances in groups. Check out our ATEX reference chart below.

Atex_Doc

Redefining Rugged: HBM’s SoMat eDAQ Data Acquisition System with Mike Ellis


“Elevated shock and vibration levels, even violently spraying hydraulic fluid during testing are no match for this rugged, mobile data acquisition system.”

Mike Ellis, a Project Engineer with Gates Corporation (currently with Anderson Controls), the United States Customer Solutions Center focusing on Advanced Product Technology, and his team were recently in the field collecting hydraulic pressure and acceleration data. Their aim was to try to replicate and capture event data using HBM’s SoMat eDAQ, a rugged, mobile data acquisition system, in hopes of discovering the cause of customer failures on a skid steer loader’s rock breaker attachment.

During testing, elevated shock and vibration levels shook the eDAQ and skid steer, and excessive dust from the rock breaker covered everything. After several hours of operating in the harshest of duty cycles, the failure occurred, violently spraying hydraulic fluid around the entire machine for about 10 seconds. After it was contained, Ellis’ team inspected the damage. The eDAQ was covered in hydraulic fluid from top to bottom—soaked in approximately 6.35mm of fluid. Ellis remarked, “My colleague who operated the skid steer at the time of the failure was concerned the system was destroyed, or, worse yet, the data lost. I assured him that was not an issue. We wiped down the eDAQ downloaded the data from the test run and continued to test the remainder of the day.”

Recalling this incident and the operation of the eDAQ, Ellis confidently stated: “Our eDAQ system is by far the most rugged piece of testing equipment we own. If my laptop or our other test equipment had been in the skid steer, they certainly would not have survived.”

The rugged and dependable capabilities of the eDAQ were observed by Ellis even before the Gates Corporation purchased their existing systems. He was thoroughly impressed with the eDAQ’s use at many of his customers’ locations. The eDAQ has proven itself in Gates Corporation’s laboratories as well as the field. Ellis adds, “It is an extremely accurate system. It is so easy to use; we use it as a check on our other pieces of laboratory testing equipment—to make sure they are set up correctly. If I do have a question, I know the SoMat brand is backed by a true engineering firm. In working with their support team, I can always call and ‘talk application’ not just to see if ‘a certain transistor is bad.’ Furthermore, the updates for the SoMat software are great. They are always backward compatible and, unlike our other lab equipment, there are no hidden or upgrade fees. I know that I can depend on our investment being supported for many years to come.”

Dry Run Protection by Level Detection with Clever Level

The CleverLevel® level switch protects the pump from running dry during the filling and emptying of the tank or pipe. Especially in processes where foam can occur the sensor must decide if the media is just foam or liquid. Conventional sensors have problems detecting these conditions.
  • Assure pump safety
    Reliable working ignores adhesions and foam
  • Long life cycle
    Robust sensor tip, IP67 & IP69K housing, resistant to high temperature up to 150°C, 16 bar pressure proof
  • Easy to use
    Mobile configuration tool FlexProgrammer, extensive portfolio of hygienic connections for each application


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