Irrigation of Dutch tulips using M2M

A well-known supplier of irrigation systems and water pumps. In addition, they also maintain agricultural machinery for farmers from the region. We had the opportunity to take a look at a recently delivered system. What we did not know beforehand was that we ended up in beautiful surroundings with stunning, colourful tulip fields.

Cogem water pump and irrigation hose reel from AP

The mechanisation firm has already provided pumps from Cogem and irrigation drums from AP with our M2M system on a number of occasions. In their own workshop, they provide the pumps and reels with an Aquarius M2M transmitter.

Cogem is an Italian manufacturer that delivers generators and pumps on a global scale. Almost every pump has a remote control, which is brand-independent.

AP Mechanical Engineering specializes in the production of machines for the agricultural sector. The irrigation drums of AP are a well-known sight in the countryside. The M2M system, which is explained in more detail below, can also be applied to irrigation drums of other brands.

Operating the M2M system

The system works as follows: The irrigation reel is used to set the length of time the tulips are to be irrigated. As soon as no more irrigation is required, the system sends a signal to the receiver on the pump. The pump is then switched off.

Some systems also come with an additional hand transmitter. This allows you to manually adjust the number of speeds from the tulip field or switch off the system. The distance from the reel to the pump is, in many cases, several hundred meters. The farmer regularly has to move the sprinkler or switch it off. Nothing is more convenient than being able to do this remotely using a remote control.

Highly Mechanized Manure-Mix Slurry Equipment

Due to the high degree of industrialization in the agricultural sector, practically in all branches, ultramodern machines are deployed. The same applies to the manure storage and usage branch. In large silos there are thousand cubic meters of manure/slurry which is stored until it is dispatched.

Manure-mix-pump remotely controlled

In the meantime, the manure must be mixed into a homogeneous mass for spreading purposes. A German machine manufacturer, specialized in manure technology, offers high-quality solutions for the processing of manure. An example of this is the manure-mix pump. A machine that is built on a standard tractor with a powerful pump and a mixer.

Hydraulic arms

The mixer and the pump hang on the hydraulic arms. Between these arms, there is a long pipe that pumps up the manure from the silo into the manure container.

Wireless control

All functions of the machine, about 24, can be wirelessly managed by using the wireless remote controls Pyxis / Aquarius and  Cetus / Norma, with 12 functions. By making use of a menu structure and a two-hand control, all 12 functions are managed by the 12-channel keypad of the Cetus transmitter.

Easy to use

The keyboard is very clear due to the symbols on it and can be operated intuitively. This wireless system provides the user with the necessary flexibility required to keep an eye on every part of the process. Besides that, you get an uncluttered cabin without all types of control cabinets with cables. It can be said that the use of radio remote controls has made manure management an easily manageable job.

 

indus gemini e-stop from tyro

Self-driving Robotti

AGROINTELLI from Denmark is a development company for sustainable farming. It devises advanced products and new technological applications that reduce risk and effort for modern agricultural farmers. One of these products is the agricultural robot: Robotti.

This robot can sow, spray, and even weed autonomously. With its GPS connection and exact data, it gives valuable information to the farmer.

Tablet or smartphone

The control is done via an app on a phone or tablet. This machine ensures greater efficiency in the field and thus saves the farmer money and time.

Safety first

Safety has been very important in the development of the Robotti. An emergency stop has been added, allowing the driver to stop the robot remotely in case of an emergency situation. The choice was made for the Indus emergency stop by Tyro Remotes, which reacts within 0.5 seconds and is impact and shock resistant. The Indus remote control is supplied together with the Gemini receiver and meets the strict safety requirements of Performance Level c (PLc).

Pavement Preservation Equipment Control

Paving the Way for Efficiency with Engine Control Solutions 

dynagen controller on a generator

Crafco Inc. is a global leader in pavement preservation and maintenance, offering a comprehensive range of products, including hot-applied crack sealants and cold mix for asphalt and concrete repair. Renowned for pavement sealing expertise, Crafco provides top-tier materials and equipment supported by multiple manufacturing locations across the US.

Crafco faced limitations in controlling and monitoring engine-driven equipment, as their sealant melters and applicators for engine control relied on multiple gauges for monitoring and control, as well as very limited historical information when there were engine warnings and failures. These limitations made it difficult to precisely diagnose engine-related performance issues to ensure continuous material application, resulting in suboptimal performance, frequent maintenance issues, and a lack of real-time diagnostic information. These challenges led to inefficiencies in diagnosing engine-related issues, potential equipment damage, and compromised project quality. DynaGen controllers enhanced their performance and provided key engine and system information/diagnostics, allowing operators to better manage engine and machine performance.

DynaGen Engine Controllers for Optimal Performance 

The DynaGen TG410 engine controller was a game-changer for Crafco, transforming their equipment from a single dashboard light to a fully equipped control center. This advanced controller revolutionized their operations by offering enhanced engine information and diagnostics, and control and monitoring capabilities for pavement sealing operations. The controller allowed for precise control of the engine and connected equipment, ensuring the equipment ran smoothly and significantly boosting operational efficiency.

dynagen tg410 generator controller

Its real-time diagnostics for oil pressure, engine temperature, engine speed, CAN data, controls of idle rated based on material temperature, disabling burner system controls until the engine has started (eliminating brownouts), and other key metrics enabled operators to quickly identify and address issues, reducing downtime, and provide fuel savings with idle/rated speed control. The TG410’s fuel efficiency features, such as speed control and idle management, helped reduce fuel consumption, leading to cost savings. With its robust reliability and safety features,

These newfound control benefits enhanced Crafco’s equipment reliability and performance, improved diagnostics, and lowered operational costs, making the TG410 an essential component in their pursuit of superior pavement preservation solutions. The controller integrated different machine functions, streamlining the sealing process and giving operators a clear picture of engine health, allowing them to catch and fix minor issues before they become major problems.

Ultimately, the DynaGen TG410 has empowered Crafco to tackle any pavement sealing project confidently, sustain its industry leadership in pavement preservation, maximize efficiency, and minimize downtime, all while delivering superior results. The controller offers Crafco and their customers the opportunity to easily integrate remote telemetry for real-time field data.

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.