Baldor Helps To Make Crane Training More Realistic


A three-axis motion platform based on Baldor Electric's Ethernet-compatible drives is increasing the realism of crane training by moving a replica operator cabin in synchronism with computer images. The specialist machine manufacturer Electropneumatics and Hydraulics developed the motion platform for the leading training solutions and services supplier Applied Research International (ARI). Based in New Delhi, India ARI produces a comprehensive range of simulators for marine and allied applications.

Its products include a variety of offshore, quay side and gantry crane-simulators to provide safe, cost-effective operational training for container movement and bulk-handling operations. ARI's simulators emulate the visual, behavioural and operational characteristics of their real-world counterparts to create a fully immersive environment in which the trainee can gain true hands-on experience. A typical crane simulator comprises a modular PC-based control system, a replica operator cabin and seat, a high-fidelity audio-visual system and an instructor station equipped with CCTV for monitoring the actions of the trainee.

When ARI decided to add an optional motion platform to its line of crane simulators, it approached Electropneumatics and Hydraulics for assistance. Electropneumatics and Hydraulics makes metalforming equipment, such as hydraulic presses and tube-bending machines, and also designs and builds special-purpose machinery including different levels of automation with total indigenous content and capability. Electropneumatics and Hydraulics based the motion platform for the crane simulator on Baldor's Powerlink- and Ethernet-compatible drives and servomotors.

'Baldor's Microflex e100 AC servo drives are very cost-effective for this type of application because they can be controlled via TCP/IP direct from the simulator's host PC, without the need for additional hardware,' according to the company's technical director, Ashley Rasquinha. The three-axis motion platform provides X, Y and Z movement of the replica operator cabin, synchronised to the computer-generated images being presented to the trainee. Since it is designed to accurately emulate the movement of a real-life gantry crane, the platform's drive axes are only required to handle relatively simple motion-control tasks such as point-to-point moves and homing sequences and do not require interpolation.

As a consequence, the Microflex e100 servo drives can be used in their basic Ethernet mode, without any additional complexity of real-time control. Each axis is driven by a Baldor BSM three-phase servomotor equipped with an incremental encoder for position and velocity feedback, controlled by a dedicated Microflex e100 servo drive. All three drives are housed in a separate floor-standing control cabinet and are connected via a D-Link 10/100Mbps Ethernet switch to the simulator's host PC. Ashley Rasquinha also said that Baldor's ActiveX development tools for its Mint motion-control language helped to minimise programming effort.

'The tools hide the complexity of Ethernet messages and provide a simple interface to all the Mint programming commands and functions; in conjunction with the excellent libraries of routines that Baldor provides, these made it very easy for us to create and validate all the motion-control sequences,' he added.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Han® HC 250 high current contact

A Powerful Solution HARTING has developed the new Han® HC 250high current connector as a powerful interface that impresses by requiring little space, transmitting high current intensities and allowing flexible configuration of the number of poles. The HC 250 one-pole crimp module can be connected in various frame geometries to produce the required number of poles in a compact space – and in the existing Han® HPR housing. Technical details: - Rated current 250 A at a rated voltage of 2000 V - Termination cross-sections are: 35 mm2, 50 mm2 and 70 mm2 - Maximum four-pole interfaces in a size 24 B HPR housing, making it particularly suitable for motor connections - High quality plastic with good smoke and inflammability levels - Removal tool for simple installation and removal of the contacts and inserts - Confusion of a number of interfaces is reliably prevented by multiple coding options for the individual inserts The requirements in the railway industry are changing, as ...
Read more

EGCS-D0 Accelerometer Now Available in 10,000g Range

Measurement Specialties, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEAS) has recently redesigned the EGCS-D0 accelerometer to enable it to accurately and reliably measure up to ±10,000g. This rugged device is critically damped, which is the ideal mechanism to protect the accelerometer against ±20,000g impacts and prevent sensor ringing. The EGCS-D0 accelerometer is now available in ranges from ±5g to ±10,000g which makes it ideal for both critical low-g measurements and high-g impacts. These units feature a Wheatstone Bridge mV output with a standard compensated temperature range of 20ºC to 80ºC (other options available). The EGCS-D0 was specifically designed for impact and shock testing in auto safety, aerospace, military and civil engineering applications. Designed to be bolt-mounted, this device operates from 2-15Vdc excitation with electrical output ratiometric to voltage input. Optional triaxial mounting blocks (MTG-F4), signal conditioners (Model 101) and auto-zero inline amplifiers (Model 140) are avai...
Read more
Ilix Cermet Reamers Are Ideal For Dry Machining Engineers Cutting Tools, the UK agent for Ilix, has introduced Ilix solid-carbide and cermet reamers for the machining of hard metals. The machine reamers 6372C and 6323 allow the production of high-precision holes with good surface finish. Compared with HSS, the solid-carbide qualities enable the increase of cutting parameters and tool life. The quality of the reamers is said to guarantee high performance, even for hard metals with a resistance more than 1200N/mm2. The Ilix carbide 6372C range of hundredth reamers is from 0.98mm through to 12.05mm in increments of 0.01mm. The reamers are manufactured to a tolerance of +0.000 - +0.004mm. The cermet reamers 6323 have new cutting geometry developed by Ilix. These reamers are said to be ideal for steel machining, having high chemical stability during the cutting process. They offer good wear resistance due to the high hardness and have low material adhesion. The Ilix cermet reamer is said to...
Read more