Industrial applications/Machine automation
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Retrofit baling press
"Retrofitting a baling press built in 1996 so that it meets the requirements to press efficiently high-quality material today". AHP received this assignment from an established player in the recycling industry. Mechanical construction, electrical wiring, electrical cabinets and automation were all carried out in-house.
Retrofit baling press
"Retrofitting a baling press built in 1996 so that it meets the requirements to press efficiently high-quality material today". AHP received this assignment from an established player in the recycling industry. Mechanical construction, electrical wiring, electrical cabinets and automation were all carried out in-house.
The press was operated manually, with several unpleasant interventions by the operator, such as turning the carousel, unlocking and locking the chamber doors, opening/closing the carousel lock, etc. Also, the pressed bale had to be manually pushed out of the chamber at the end of the process. The combination of such manual actions created physical discomfort and potentially unsafe situations for the operator.
Today, through mechanical construction modifications, the addition of a lot of sensors and machine control, the baling cycle runs automatically and the operator's actions are reduced to strapping the bale and replacing the packaging material.
Moreover, it has also been ensured that the production process is controllable by parameters. By doing this, things like bale height, press pressure, number of fills, etc. can be modified.
In addition, the software also offers added value in terms of production monitoring. A register of the last 20 bale heights, a bale counter (day & total) and the production time of the last bale are visualised on the HMI (Human Machine Interface).
R&D test rig
For the R&D department of Atlas Copco a custom-made test rig was elaborated. This project was integrally developed in-house. Our team took care of both the mechanical, electrical and hydraulic design and implementation as well as the machine control software.
The test rig offers the possibility to vary different process values in an individual and accurate way.
Specs:
- Output : 22kW
- Range of pressure variation: 0-150 + 0.5 [bar]
- Range of flow variation: 5-80 + 0.5 [L/min]
- Range of temperature variation : 30-90 + 0.5 [°C]
The floorbutler
In the construction of a mobile cleaning system for cassette floors, AHP Hydraulics was responsible for the hydraulic development and the electrical control.
The floorbutler
In the construction of a mobile cleaning system for cassette floors, AHP Hydraulics was responsible for the hydraulic development and the electrical control.
Operation:
A stack of floors is loaded into the machine with a forklift truck
Once the cycle is started the floor undergoes an automatic cleaning process
The machine stacks the cleaned floors automatically after the washing cycle.
The cleaning system is used outdoors and is often transported. For this reason, the construction must be weather-proof and shock-resistant. For the electrical control, a robust Danfoss Plus+1 controller and display were used to ensure operational reliability.
The operation of the cleaning system is fully automatic. Controlling the machine and setting and observing the processes can be done intuitively by using the display.
Retrofitting gantry crane
The gantry crane was operated manually by levers on the PVG (Proportional Valve Group) block in the wheelhouse. The wheelhouse of the gantry crane has only one small window.
Retrofitting gantry crane
The gantry crane was operated manually by levers on the PVG (Proportional Valve Group) block in the wheelhouse. The wheelhouse of the gantry crane has only one small window. As a result, the operator's view during operation is very limited, which not only caused discomfort in use but also affected overall safety. In order to eliminate the existing shortcomings, a remote control was integrated. This allows the gantry crane to be controlled wirelessly, which means that the operator no longer needs to operate it from the wheelhouse. Since the operator can now move around while operating the gantry crane, work can be done faster, more accurately and more safely. The adjustments provide increased user-friendliness and safety.
Furthermore, the existing controls of the gantry crane were very outdated. They were therefore replaced during this project. The electrical installation was completely renewed and a new PVG block was mounted, allowing manual operation to continue.
Levelling system for mobile hopper scale
The Robbe Bascules mobile hopper scale is a discontinuous totalising weighing installation. By making the installation mobile, the customer has the opportunity to easily move the hopper scale so that it can be positioned at the quay as well as in the warehouse.
Levelling system for mobile hopper scale
The Robbe Bascules mobile hopper scale is a discontinuous totalising weighing installation. By making the installation mobile, the customer has the opportunity to easily move the hopper scale so that it can be positioned at the quay as well as in the warehouse. In order to achieve an accurate and correct measurement, the implementation of a solid levelling system is essential.
On the frame of the weighing installation AHP Hydraulics placed a hydraulic group and PVG (proportional valve group) with electrification and software implementation. The hopper scale is levelled by means of 4 hydraulic cylinders. The cylinders lift the hopper scale and ensure that it is levelled. The cylinders are hydraulically controlled by a Danfoss PVG. The proportional valves of the PVG receive the electrical command (PWM) from a Danfoss PLUS+1 controller (MC050). In addition, each cylinder is equipped with 2 pressure sensors Danfoss MBS1250 (on the rod and piston side) so that the weight distribution can be monitored and controlled. Based on the measured value of an inclination sensor (Danfoss DST X730), a closed loop control was developed which proportionally adjusts the 4 cylinders.
