Wireless automation for weight monitoring on independent carriages
Integration of weight sensors without external wiring on ACOPOStrak transport rails.
Requirement
To allow the ACOPOStrack system of B&R to have a complete sensor system on board each independent carriage.
To be able to move freely at the same time and monitor the weight in real time, the carriages must be free from any wiring constraints.
This is also necessary to comprehend the different types of products and adapt to their different shapes and sizes.
Our solution
Our solution stems from our cooperation with CoreTigo, an Israeli company that bases its technology on the IO-Link Wireless standard for wireless development of Industry 4.0.
To meet the customer's needs, on each ACOPOStrak independent carriage we have integrated:
- 1 LAUMAS LCB universal digitizer for analog load cells;
- 1 LAUMAS AF single-point load cell;
- The TigoBridge and TigoMaster CoreTigo devices.
The communication protocol chosen for the digitizer is IO-Link, the same as the wireless technology developed by CoreTigo.
This way, the two groups of objects can communicate to transfer and convert the original signal to the fieldbus chosen by the customer.
How does it work?
The system consists of a set of shuttles that move individually on the rails and handle the objects individually through the different production processes.
The AF analog load cell is installed on every single shuttle and connected to the LCB.
The universal load cells digitizer LCB IO-Link
Once connected to the load cell, the universal digitizer transforms the analog signal into a digital signal, allowing the shuttle to have all the advantages of a normal weighing system:
- calibration;
- input/output setting;
- calibration data storage;
- linearization up to 5 points.
LCB is then connected to the CoreTigo TigoBridge device, a wireless bridge that converts the signal of the devices from IO-Link to IO-Link Wireless and sends them to TigoMaster, an industrial-grade IO-Link master that can receive multiple wireless signals at the same time.
The LAUMAS and CoreTigo devices, combined together, make it possible to have no cables at all.
The shuttles can move independently on the rails through the various production processes and handle each object individually, while the weight measured by the LCB is converted and transferred directly to the PLC without interruption.
How is the signal transferred to the PLC?
The set of objects created by CoreTigo collects the LCB IO-Link signal and converts it to IO-Link Wireless.
The weighing signal is transferred wirelessly deterministically from the shuttle to the PLC, i.e. to the fix part of the application.
The added value
- no wiring constraints;
- no electrical or electromagnetic interference caused by the distance between the load cell and the PLC;
- high weight monitoring capacity;
- increased system flexibility, efficiency and productivity;
- easy management of the product in motion;
- reduction of downtime;
- agile, constant and synchronized product handling;
- space saving, fewer mechanical components and less maintenance.
Search in the blog
Search by tag
Recent articles
Weighing and dosing system on agricultural machinery
Weighing system on a fertilizer spreader machine for controlling and dosing fertilizer, compost, etc. contained in large polyethylene hoppers. It must operate in harsh environments and integrate seamlessly with the machinery and control system.
Read more
Weighing and monitoring system for large vessel
Construction and outfitting of a large boat: load cells, mounting kits, and weight transmitters to verify that the final weight falls within the range established during the design phase.
Read more
Calibration and adjustment
What does it mean to calibrate? What does it mean to adjust? What is the difference between adjustment and calibration? Why calibration and adjustment (or fine-tuning) are not synonyms and increase the accuracy of your weighing system.
Read more
Calibration certificate or calibration report?
Is it better to request an accredited calibration certificate or a calibration report? Everything you need to know to select the most suitable calibration document for your weighing instrument's needs.
Read more
