CONTROLS
conveyor between half a hundred different complex and expensive machines; and a single large order arriving from a customer can be input into the system and selecting the quantity, feed rate and treatment can be determined and automatically controlled. The auto shop and the plywood plant are at
extreme ends of the spectrum. Most operations lie somewhere in between. But throughout the range, modular and upgradable control systems, such as future-proofing, are key concepts and manufacturers are embracing them. Examples of the latest generation of such integrated control systems are from Magnetek, part of Columbus McKinnon, which has its Intelli-guide system; and from Siemens, who offer its Simocrane system, which we shall come to later. But there is a precondition to all the above. Whether your crane is controlled by cable, wireless or the most basic or the most sophisticated digital technology, the motors of your hoist must be responsive to their changing input. They must speed up, slow down or stop instantly on demand. For accurate and efficient control of
motors, for hoists and many other applications, Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) has become not merely desirable, but an essential component in modern automation systems. It allows a degree of precision and control of
A belly box controller from Danfoss.
single-speed and 2-speed motors that was previously unavailable. Variable frequency drives were introduced
in the late 1980s with the advent of low-cost, high-speed power transistors. Initially, they were mainly used on the bridge and trolleys of high-speed Class D and Class E cranes. Today, they control every motorised motion on a crane from the hoist, the bridge, the trolley and sometimes even the rotation of the hook. “VFDs play a crucial role in modern automation
AUTEC POWERS POWER BAR
Besides the expanded range of transmitters for hazardous environments, Autec presented their Power Bar at Bauma this year – a modular and customisable belly box frame for transmitters that holds enlarged display screens that can be of 4.3in, 5in or 6.8in. Control buttons are configurable to
the user and an ‘operator-presence’ sensor, which is fitted to both sides of the frame, detects the presence of the operator’s hands. The idea is to provide an incentive for the operator to place his or her hands on the frame, improving operational safety. Sensor programming allows independent
association between the left and right sides of the frame, which offers further customisation possibilities of commands and activation.
A ‘vibration feedback’ option alerts the operator to danger in noisy environments. The vibration is fully customisable in frequency and intensity. A ‘Night Mode’ option illuminates the control panel and adds a front torch beam. The Power Bar comes with Autec Studio, a proprietary programming tool designed to customise the graphical user interface of the display. Used by the AUTEC technical department, it can also be licensed to the customer for autonomous operations. The interface is intuitive and fluid, designed to minimise intervention time. Autec controllers use Tri-band Technology, operating on 870–915MHz frequencies as well as in 2.4GHz bluetooth mode within a single system. This, says the company, is a major advantage that ensures global coverage of operational frequencies allowed for industrial remote controls and faster intervention in case of field interference.
and energy efficiency,” says Rhydian Welson, sales and marketing director of Invertek Drives. The company, of Welshpool in Powys, is a leader in the field and recently produced its three millionth VFD. “In today’s competitive landscape, there is
ever-increasing pressure to optimise processes, reduce energy consumption and minimise operational costs,” he says. “By providing precise control and energy efficiency, these drives help businesses achieve greater
28 | May 2025 |
www.hoistmagazine.com
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