Control & Instrumentation
Hard conditions
Kunzmann shows another automation solution in the transfer
station near the shipping area, which is dependent on the
reliability of Leuze electronic’s sensors. High demands are made
of the sensors, which look down onto stretch-wrapped stacks of
bricks over large detection distances. Additional challenges are
the temperature influences of working in an outdoor area where,
depending on the time of year, it can be bitterly cold.
In this transfer station, a gantry crane lifts the pallets of bricks
that arrive on a conveying belt from the production area, across
to free storage spaces, from where, forklifts load the stacks
onto trucks.
“By means of the control, the system knows which stacks
are stored on which spaces, but not which of these pallets have
already been retrieved by a forklift,” explains Kunzmann. For this
reason, he mounted an HRT 96M/P-5000 diffuse reflection light
scanner with background suppression on each side of the gantry
crane’s traverse. With a maximum scanning range of 5 meters,
ABOVE: The dust that is created when cutting the rock wool mats for
they monitor the transfer station from above. If six sensors
the ThermoPlan MZ8 does not affect sensor function
arranged in a row do not detect a stack of bricks, the respective
storage space is not occupied. Reflections off the stretch-wrap
insulation, good soundproofing, very good stability, outstanding material do not affect the sensors, enabling the system to
moisture characteristics and good fire protection properties. unload up to 800 pallets per day.
Kunzmann developed automation systems where a roll of rock The gantry crane itself is positioned by means of two AMS200
wool is fed in, cut, and then pushed into the chambers within optical distance measurement devices, which thereby ensure
the brick ceramics. During this process, the through-beam uniform speed. With these devices, positions can be detected at
photoelectric sensors detect the start and end of the mats and a range of up to 200 metres with millimetre precision. The
monitor the stack heights. What Kunzmann particularly values in distance data received in the distance measurement device is
the devices is their robust construction with an extremely stable available as speed information, on the basis of which, speed
and tight housing. Also important for him is the performance monitoring can also be performed. [Photo 4 - AMS200 Distance
reserve, which ensures reliable object detection in the measurement devices monitor the positioning of the gantry
environment that is laden with rock wool dust. crane and the uniform drive of its axles.]
The automatic cutting and filling system for the MZ8 is “While dust and heat are the primary factors contributing to
safeguarded with Leuze electronic’s ROBUST multiple light-beam hard working conditions during operation, in the loading area, it
safety devices. Transmitters and receivers of the three-beam is the low temperatures during the cold parts of the year” says
system are functional units with separate transmitter and receiver Kunzmann, as he outlines the extreme strain placed on man and
profiles. With their integrated optics heating and protection class machine in the brick factory.
IP 67, the active optoelectronic protective devices are designed For more information contact Leuze on tel: 01480 408 500 or
for operation in rough environmental conditions. visit: www.leuze.co.uk
Rare Earth Magnetic Grates
\hec
Eriez Magnetics
ProGrade also available
OHand Held
Detectors
OPneumatic
Vibrators
OMagnetic
Hoppagrids
visit en-gb.eriez.com for details
Eriez Magnetics Europe Limited
Tel +44 (0)29 2086 8501
email info@eriezeurope.co.uk
www.eriez.com
MANUFACTURING AFFILIATES IN AUSTRALIA BRAZIL CHINA INDIA JAPAN MEXICO SOUTH AFRICA USA
www.solidsandbulk.co.uk February 2010 Solids & Bulk Handling 39
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