New XBMCU Multi-Interface Machine Control Unit

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Radio Remote Control Xbmcu LeftOur new XBMCU Multi-Interface Machine Control Unit represents a significant advancement in industrial automation technology, offering seamless integration into PLC systems through multiple serial protocols.

The XBMCU is a compact, multi-interface receiver and machine control unit designed for mobile machines, industrial automation, robotics, and machine-to-machine control. The unit works compatibly with Cattron’s Safe-D-Stop wireless emergency stop, most CattronControl radio remote transmitters, and the latest generation of Remtron wireless devices.

According to the company, what sets the XBMCU apart is its robust capability to support machine-to-machine functionality in both directions, handling high data volumes. The unit features dual CANbus interfaces supporting J1939, CAN FD, CANopen, and CANopen Safety protocols, along with lab-certified PROFINET communications for reliable, real-time data handling with Class C Conformance.

For North American customers, the XBMCU will soon support Ethernet IP protocols certified by ODVA, with plans to incorporate CIP safety, making it a comprehensive solution for systems integrators who previously required multiple products from different manufacturers.

The XBMCU is housed in a rugged IP66-rated aluminum enclosure, making it suitable for the most demanding industrial environments. It features a wide range of 9-36 VDC supply, eight digital inputs that can be combined for Category 3 PL-d configurations, and six 3A digital outputs that can be similarly configured for enhanced safety.

The unit incorporates a black channel wireless interface for secure communications. The XBMCU also supports globally recognized safe industrial protocols, such as PROFIsafe (currently under certification), CIP safety, and CANopen Safety, to ensure reliable protection for personnel and machinery in automation environments. The unit supports IEC 61131 programming via the CattronLink programming tool, allowing for configuration via the CattronLink app or over wireless or Ethernet connections, eliminating the need for complex setup procedures.

The XBMCU is ideal for multiple industrial applications, including:

  • Industrial automation systems and robotics
  • Autonomous guided vehicles
  • Logistics control and monitoring
  • Industrial manufacturing equipment
  • Palletizing and packaging equipment
  • Decentralized control systems

The XBMCU is manufactured at Cattron’s Warren, Ohio, facility, offering customers the advantage of American-made quality and local technical support.

Concrete Products Remote Control

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A global player in radio remote controls, these wireless remote control systems suit mobile, construction, and material handling equipment and, with IP65 to IP68 ratings, resist shock, impact, dust, moisture, and water. The 2S generation spans Cetus, Fornax, Musca, and Pyxis transmitters plus Aquarius, Auriga, and Scorpius receivers.

Tyro Pyxis 2S

The Tyro 2S line supports a range of frequencies, including 915 MHz for North America. Universal compatibility ensures series devices can be used seamlessly throughout different regions to control a variety of diesel engines and electric or hydraulic motors, providing reliable connectivity across a broad swath of equipment types.

Customers can personalize their transmitters with specific icons and symbols that match their equipment’s control interfaces, enhancing safety and ease of use. Tyro 2S systems offer advanced features such as one-button pairing, allowing operators to quickly pair a new transmitter with the receiver, minimizing downtime. This is particularly beneficial in mobile applications where equipment may be frequently moved or lost.

Additionally, the systems support multiple transmitters per receiver and vice versa, providing multiple users with flexibility and redundancy in their operations.

The Tyro 2S systems have an LCD screen that displays real-time feedback from the connected equipment. This feature is particularly valuable in applications like concrete pumps, stone crushers, and other heavy machinery where monitoring parameters such as oil temperature, fuel level, and operational speeds are crucial.

The integration with CAN bus systems allows for seamless communication between the remote control and the machinery, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Machine-to-machine programming is also an option.

Order your system now!

The Importance of Black Channel Communication in Radio Remote Control
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Radio remote controls are an integral part of modern manufacturing plants and operations. They allow operators to manage machinery and equipment from a safe distance while reducing the need for direct human interaction with potentially hazardous machines. Radio remote controls also enable precise equipment control, leading to improved efficiency and less risk of operator error. With additional protection like Black Channel Communication, radio remote controls become even more secure and reliable.

Overview of Black Channel Communications

Black Channel Communication is a communication technology used to ensure the reliability of transmitted signals within control systems, particularly in manufacturing plants. This communication strategy involves the use of a functional safety protocol that operates on a separate, dedicated channel (the “black channel”) to verify the integrity of transmitted signals.

How Black Channel Communications Works  

Black Channel Communication revolutionizes how signals are transmitted in control systems by utilizing a dedicated, functional safety protocol that operates independently of noncritical communication channels. This safety protocol inspects the integrity of signals sent across the ‘black channel’. Functioning independently ensures that even if the noncritical channel is compromised or experiences interference, the safety protocol remains unscathed, thus providing a failsafe mechanism.

How the Black Channel Enhances Safety  

Another aspect of Black Channel Communication is the safety mechanisms to verify outgoing and incoming data sequencing. The sequencing mechanisms ensure that the correct data is processed in a very particular order. This technology is especially beneficial in high-stakes environments like manufacturing plants, where the slightest error or interruption can have far-reaching consequences. Its application is vital in systems where safety is paramount, as it can detect and react to any interference or corruption of the data.

Implementing Black Channel Communication can improve safety and efficiency metrics, especially in large manufacturing plants. For example, consider a plant experiencing occasional signal interference within its control systems, leading to sporadic operational glitches and potential safety hazards. With Black Channel Communication integrated into its radio remote control systems, the functional safety protocol can monitor the integrity of critical data, immediately detecting errors and taking necessary, safe approaches to correcting the problem. As a result, the instances of operational glitches will drop, thereby enhancing overall safety. Additionally, the newfound reliability of the plant’s control systems improves production efficiency by minimizing downtime.

Partner for Safe and Reliable Radio Remote Controls

Black Channel Communication is a technology that strengthens safety and efficiency within manufacturing plants and beyond. Ensuring the integrity of signals transmitted via radio remote control eliminates the risk of interference or corruption that can lead to operational glitches and potential safety hazards.

We selected radio remote controls enhanced with black channel communication to provide a robust solution for protecting control signals from unauthorized access or tampering. Products include Remtron and Safe-D-Stop.

Empowering manufacturers, and those who work with truck-mounted equipment, with remote control tools.
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Tyro 2S remote control systems.

In an era where efficiency and safety are paramount, the work truck industry is experiencing a transformative shift thanks to a variety of advanced truck-mounted equipment options. 

Cattron recently introduced its Tyro 2S family of products to the North American market, promising to change the way upfitters, truck body builders, and manufacturers of specialized vehicles approach truck-mounted equipment control.

A DIRECT LINE TO THE FUTURE

The Tyro 2S line brings flexibility and precision to truck-mounted, engine-driven, hydraulically driven, and electrically driven equipment. This technology allows end-users to control their equipment from handheld devices, enhancing safety, productivity, and operational efficiency across various applications.

“The evolution of engine technology to meet stringent emissions standards like Tier 4 final and Stage 5 has led to more sophisticated electronic control systems,” says Shane Samson, business development manager at Cattron. “This complexity has sparked a growing demand from our customers for deeper insights into their engine operations. Concurrently, we’re observing a trend in mobile applications where increased automation is becoming crucial. This automation allows for greater productivity with a reduced workforce, addressing the challenges of labor shortages and operational efficiency concurrently.”

Tyro 2S family of products

VOLUMETRIC CONCRETE MIXERS

Volumetric concrete mixers allow on-site mixing and greater control over the production process. The integration of Tyro 2S remote control systems takes this a step further. Operators can now control the mixer’s functions remotely, moving away from traditional control panels mounted on the truck.

Tyro 2S systems enable input of mix designs and production of concrete at the touch of a button. Remote capability is particularly valuable in challenging or hazardous environments where operator safety is a concern. The system’s rapid response time of under 0.1 seconds ensures real-time control, critical for maintaining concrete quality and consistency.

Tyro’s Musca 6F Concrete Remote complements Cattron’s existing Pump Boss product. The system’s ability to support global frequencies (434 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.4 GHz) ensures compatibility across different regions.

DETACHABLE AND INTERCHANGEABLE WORK TRUCK BODIES

The concept of detachable work truck bodies has increased productivity for fleet management, allowing one truck to perform the work of an entire fleet. Tyro 2S provides remote control over the electric-powered hydraulic hoist and winch systems used for loading and unloading interchangeable bodies.

No matter the type of body, it offers precise control from a safe distance. This is particularly beneficial in industries such as waste hauling, municipalities, landscaping, snow and ice management, tree care, and construction. With an IP65 to IP68 rating, Tyro 2S controllers can withstand harsh environments, including exposure to dust, moisture, and impact. 

Tyro 2S system enables precise input of mix designs and production of concrete.

SEWAGE PUMPERS

For the liquid waste industry, including businesses maintaining residential and commercial septic systems, renting portable restrooms, and providing industrial vacuum services, the system offers control and safety.

Operators can control pumping operations from a safe distance, reducing exposure to potentially hazardous materials. The system’s customizable interface allows for specific functions to be programmed, such as controlling pump speed, monitoring tank levels, and managing pressure systems.

Tyro 2S’s compatibility with CAN bus systems permits communication between the remote control and the equipment. This integration allows for real-time monitoring of critical parameters.

FLATBED CAR CARRIERS

Flatbed car carriers rely heavily on hydraulics when loading and unloading vehicles. Hydraulic motors not only control the flatbed’s tilting functions, but also its winch. Operators can control the bed and winch from various vantage points.

The system’s ergonomic design, with large tactile buttons and backlit keys, makes it easy to use even when wearing gloves – a common scenario in the towing and recovery industry. The haptic feedback feature provides operators with immediate confirmation of their commands, crucial when handling valuable cargo like vehicles.

Recovery trucks and wreckers utilize a wide array of truck-mounted, engine-driven, hydraulically-driven, and electrically-driven equipment.

RECOVERY TRUCKS AND WRECKERS

Recovery trucks and wreckers utilize a wide array of truck-mounted, engine-driven, hydraulically driven, and electrically driven equipment. Operators can manage winches, booms, and outrigger stabilizers remotely, allowing for precise positioning and operation in challenging recovery scenarios. The system’s ability to provide real-time feedback on the equipment’s status enhances safety and efficiency, particularly in time-sensitive or hazardous recovery situations.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES AND INDUSTRY IMPACT

Remote control technology for work trucks addresses many of the challenges faced by the industry.

Customization: The systems offer extensive customization options, allowing users to personalize transmitters with specific icons and symbols matching their equipment’s control interfaces. This enhances safety and ease of use across different applications.

Durability: With IP ratings ranging from IP65 to IP68, products are built to withstand the harshest environments. This durability ensures reliable performance in various conditions, from dusty construction sites to wet and muddy terrains.

Safety: The implementation of advanced safety features, including ISO 13849-1 PL-c certification for some models, addresses the industry’s growing focus on operator and bystander safety.

Flexibility: Support for multiple frequencies and the ability to pair multiple transmitters with a single receiver (and vice versa) provide the flexibility needed in diverse work environments.

Integration: The system’s compatibility with CAN bus, supporting protocols like J1939 and CANopen, allows for seamless integration with modern vehicle systems.

Pump Boss gives workers a method of operating concrete mixer trucks, volumetric mixers, and line pumps, and is compatible with the Tyro 2S system.

THE COMPLETE PACKAGE

Emphasizing user-friendliness and operational efficiency, the Tyro 2S systems incorporate advanced features like one-touch pairing. This allows for quick transmitter-receiver connections, reducing setup time – a crucial advantage in mobile applications where equipment is frequently relocated. Furthermore, the system’s support for multiple transmitter-receiver pairings enhances operational flexibility and provides built-in redundancy, allowing multiple operators to control equipment seamlessly and ensuring continuous operation even if a transmitter is misplaced or damaged.

“We are proud to offer U.S. and Canadian customers the same level of performance and reliability that European customers have appreciated from Tyro for years,” says Ryan Wooten, CEO of Cattron. “Tyro products bolster our global portfolio with a proven remote-control solution for mobile equipment applications.”

UNIQUE IN THE INDUSTRY

Cattron offers solutions for remote equipment control. The company’s product portfolio covers remote control systems and also on-engine controls. This approach allows Cattron to address a wide range of control needs, from basic remote operations to complex engine function integration. By providing this full spectrum of solutions, Cattron simplifies the process for customers seeking to enhance their equipment’s capabilities, whether for standard remote-control applications or more specialized engine-related controls.

As work truck applications continue to evolve, remote control systems will play a crucial role in enhancing efficiency, safety, and operational capabilities. As the industry moves towards more automated and remotely operated systems, these technologies are set to become not just a luxury but a necessity in the modern work truck ecosystem.

The future of work truck operations is here, and it’s in the palm of your hand. The industry is poised for a new era of safer, more efficient, and more versatile truck-mounted operations.