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.

What are some hazardous ATEX Ratings

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

SAFETINEX light curtains

To speed up delivery to our North American customers, Contrinex is now manufacturing our highly popular SAFETINEX line of light curtains in the USA! Each Safetinex product is hand-assembled, tested for quality and accuracy, pressurized and verified right in our newly expanded Texas location. Call (866) 289 2899 to order your kit today.

WATCH VIDEO NOW… 

The newly developed YBB Type 2 series comprises a complete range of 30 mm resolution hand protection devices for all your Type 2, PL c, SIL 1 applications.
The rugged aluminum housing and PMMA screen are suitable for applications in almost any kind of industrial environments. Quick and simple installation is achieved by 5-pin M12 connector, integrated alignment aids, and the mounting brackets also included.

  • Robust housing
  • Simple wiring and installation
  • Protective heights from 150 mm to 1827 mm
  • Operating distance up to 12 m

566x281px_safety_hand_protection_appTECHNICAL DATA

  • Supply voltage: 24 VDC +/-20%
  • Protection class: IP 65 + IP 67
  • Operating temperature: 0…50°C
  • Safety rating: Type 2, category 2, PL c, SIL 1
  • Resolution: 30 mm
  • Output: 2 x PNP
  • Certification: TÜV SÜD, CE

Labeling machines
For the operators of fully automated product labeling machines, the hazard involved is mostly slight.
If the result of the risk assessment allows the use of a Type 2 / PL c / SIL 1 safety light curtain, a protected machine opening can be used to interrupt the conveyor or material feeding as well as the labeling process itself as soon as an operator reaches into the protective field of the light curtain.
Furthermore, the same installation can be used to detect a material jam or products that have tipped over.

  • Simple wiring with standard M12 connectors
  • Ingress protection degree IP 65 + IP 67
  • Easy-to-use mounting brackets included

Pick-and-place robots
Many pick and place tasks are performed with the help of small robots, which represent a relatively modest hazard to staff. If the result of the risk assessment allows the use of a Type 2 / PL c / SIL 1 safety light curtain, the robot arm movements can simply be stopped if an operator reaches into the process during operation.
This then protects very effectively both the operator and the machinery.

  • Cost-effective and safe solution
  • Robust mechanical design
  • Operating distance up to 12 m

Laser cutting machines with moving tables
Laser cutters with fast-moving tables holding the working pieces represent a risk to machine operators. A safety light curtain can be considered to prevent people from reaching into or entering the ongoing process. In case of intrusion during a potentially dangerous phase, table movement can be stopped promptly.
If the result of the risk assessment allows the use of a Type 2 / PL c / SIL 1 safety light curtain, the protection is very effective. In addition, a direct view onto the working process is possible with no physical barriers that complicate access to the machine or finished parts.

  • Protective heights available from 150 mm to 1827 mm
  • Quick response time allows installation close to the working process
  • Mirror columns available for multi-side protection
Product name Product type + Safety level Datasheet
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-0150-G012

YBB-14K4-0150-G012

630-400-027

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-0250-G012

630-400-028

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-0400-G012

630-400-029

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-0500-G012

630-400-030

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-0700-G012

630-400-031

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-0800-G012

630-400-032

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-0900-G012

630-400-033

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-1000-G012

630-400-034

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-1200-G012

630-400-035

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-1300-G012

630-400-036

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-1400-G012

630-400-037

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-1600-G012

630-400-038

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14K4-1000-G012

YBB-14K4-1700-G012

630-400-039

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14R4-0150-G012

YBB-14R4-0150-G012

630-000-106

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14R4-0250-G012

YBB-14R4-0250-G012

630-000-107

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4
Contrinex product finder YBB-14R4-0250-G012

YBB-14R4-0400-G012

630-000-108

Light curtain, Cat. 4, PL e, Type 4

Choosing the right PLC panel

Programming logic controller (PLC) panels come in almost every shape and size with some of them being freestanding and others being wall-mounted and choosing the right solution for a particular application can be difficult.

11/18/2016

Programming logic controller (PLC) panels come in almost every shape and size with some of them being freestanding and others being wall-mounted and choosing the right solution for a particular application can be difficult. Courtesy of: L&S ElectricControlling equipment has always been of interest in industrial applications. Before modern-day computers came into existence, a series of relays controlled that equipment and may have numbered into the thousands. Any updates required expensive and time-consuming manual labor by electricians who needed to rewire all of the relays.
The adoption of digital computers gave rise to the modern programmable logic controller (PLC): a digital computer utilized for the automation of various processes within an industrial facility. The PLC is designed for applications ranging from controlling parts of an assembly line to automating and controlling the light fixtures in an establishment.
There are similarities between a personal computer and a controller. Both a PLC and a personal computer have a CPU, memory, and input/output (I/O) units. On the other hand, a controller is built for industrial applications. It is designed to operate under harsh environments often seen in many facilities. In essence, the PLC and a PC gather and release information.
The PLC panel can be used in a wide range of industrial applications, primarily for automating processes and increasing control over critical systems. The processor controls electrical power and is commonly referred to as an automation panel. PLCs are utilized in many industries including:

  • Automotive industry: the automotive industry is one of the largest users of PLCs and one of the first industries to embrace factory automation fully. The industry still makes use of automation through PLC panels on an ongoing basis.
  • Marine: from controlling specific parts of the vessel to a full vessel system, it is an important part of maintaining operation where failures can cause severe consequences.
  • Power generation: PLC panels can be used for some processes within a power generation facility, such as automating the soot blower controls
  • Paper making: PLC panels can be used for controlling many processes within the paper mill industry.
  • Automation control: The applications that achieve automation through the use of PLCs include HVAC systems, car wash systems, material handling, and conveyor systems

 
RELATED PRODUCT:  IDEC PLC+HMI SmartAXIS
 
feature-product-1-5 feature-product-1-1

Zone 1 Hazardous Area Rated Incremental Encoders

560x300-EN-Series-Header.png

Zone 1 Hazardous Area Rated Incremental Encoders

The new EN42 hollow-shaft and EN44 hub-shaft incremental encoders eliminate the cost, guess work and hassle of installing a barrier thanks to encapsulated electronics. The EN series offers ATEX, CSA and IECEx triple certification and a powerful signal driver for universal use in oil & gas equipment applications.
 

en-series-atex-csa-iecex-certsATEX, CSA, IECEx Triple Certified

With enforcement of regional certifications on the rise, the EN series is a flexible solution for zone 1 use with ATEX, CSA and IECEx certifications. The EN series also offers the industry’s leading operating temperature range of -50° to 100° C.

RT8-sine-scope-line-driver

High Power Line Driver Available

The EN series offers a high power mosfet line driver (10-30 VDC) is for applications requiring a long cable run to ensure reliable signal output without sacrificing performance.

en-series-wiringEasy to Install with No I.S. Barrier Needed

Both the EN42 and EN44 offer encapsulated electronics with increased safety interface for zone 1 use eliminating the need for a separate I.S. barrier and the guesswork to install one. The EN44 also offers a standard B100 mounting flange and integrated double helix coupling for easy installation.

EN42 Hollowshaft

en42-large

EN44 Hubshaft

en44

1 to 5,000 PPR 1024 or 2,048 PPR
Hollow Shaft Hubshaft Style Mount With 6 Mounting Holes on the Face
Bore Size Options: 5/8″, 3/4″, 7/8″, 1″, 15 mm, 16mm Bore Size Option: 16mm
Max Operating Speed 3,600 RPM Max Operating Speed 6,000 RPM
CE, ROHS, CSA, ATEX, IECEx CE, ROHS, CSA, ATEX, IECEx
50G Shock and 20G Vibration Tolerant 50G Shock and 20G Vibration Tolerant
datasheet-button datasheet-button