Penny + Giles, a business group of Curtiss-Wright Controls and designer and manufacturer of high precision sensing technology, is supplying its contactless rotary position sensors and advanced joystick controllers to help control the latest Transtacker trailer from Big Bale Company South. The versatile, multi-function trailer, which sells in the UK and around the world, has recently benefited from a major upgrade of its control system and now features highly sophisticated electronics developed by control specialist Tedd Engineering. 

 

Explaining the significance of the new control system Paul Bowles of Big Bale Company South says the control system is predominantly responsible for controlling and managing the Transtacker’s hydraulics. “The hydraulics perform the three principle functions of the Transtacker trailer, which are to pick up, lift and rotate bales from ground level to the machine’s trailer. This involves controlling the operation of large double tines and a turntable, which travel between zero and 180 degrees.”

 

He goes onto say that in the company’s experience, agricultural equipment is plagued with poor sensors so they were determined that sensors for the new control system would be tailored to do exactly what they wanted and would future-proof the functionality. 

 

Big Bale South’s previous Transtacker model used pairs of proximity sensors to indicate the position of zero and 180 degrees, but as bales can vary in size their travel couldn’t be monitored accurately if they were larger or smaller than the specified size. This variance in bale size could cause the machine to freeze and reliability therefore became an issue.

 

“What we needed was a programmable sensor capable of providing a safe area within the function that would allow the machine to continue, and this is what the Penny + Giles sensors give us.” says Paul. “The contactless Hall effect SRH501P rotary position sensors enable us to increase or decrease the functional sensitivity and introduce error codes that, when detected, allow the machine to continue within safe limits.”

 

A list of systems options was presented by controls specialist Tedd Engineering and reviewed by Big Bale South, whose engineering team is experienced in the many different rotary sensors available. Significantly, within ten minutes of the Penny + Giles SRH501P rotary position sensor being fitted to and operating on the Transtacker, the team decided it was the one for the job! 

 

“It solved every problem instantly.” says Paul. “Among the options presented to us were no-contact types called snail shells but when there are gaps between sensors, especially in agricultural applications where conditions are incredibly harsh, they often get mud and crops on them and stop working. We now always specify that any sensors used must have a direct mechanical link with the function.”

 

Once the length of the arm and other details of the specification were calculated and they had the degrees of travel needed, Penny + Giles were able to factory-programme the sensor.  

 

“We needed a system that would tell us where every function was at all times. What we now have, compared to the previous proximity sensors, is fantastic. In effect, the Penny + Giles rotary position sensor has given us fully-programmable functionality.” 

 

The SRH501P rotary position sensors are used on three functions. The first is the zero to 180 degrees pick-up function, which lifts the bale from the ground and places it onto the machine. The second function controls the turntable, which can perform a straight vertical lift at 90 degrees. Alternatively, it can perform the third function, which is to lift and rotate through 90 degrees. 

 

As well as rotary position sensors, Penny+ Giles JC6000 multi-axis joystick controllers were also specified for the Transtacker. These are currently programmed with only four of the six available axes because Big Bale’s engineers opted to future-proof the system with expandable operating capacity. The JC6000 joystick controller is coupled to a display unit in the tractor cab, which acts as a virtual terminal for the trailer’s ‘black box’ containing the machine’s software. 

 

The control system is designed to make life as easy as possible for operators and enables them to simply push the joystick forward to begin the trailer’s operation. For the first function, the Transtacker lifts the bale onto the turntable, releases it and returns to position ready to pick up the next bale. The tractor doesn’t even need to stop to collect bales. The next function is initiated by pulling the joystick back, which lifts the turntable, rotates the bale and places it onto the back of the trailer. If bales need to be lifted without rotating them, the operator simply actuates one of the joysticks buttons while pulling the joystick back. 

 

The display unit shows four joystick functions at all times and has five menu buttons. Pressing and holding any of the menu buttons changes the screen to show four different functions, which increases the functionality of the buttons on the JC6000 from four to a total of sixteen. 

 

Commenting for Tedd Engineering, Richard Hooper says: “We specified Penny + Giles joysticks because we know they are well made, well engineered units and provide Can (J1939) output. The SRH501P rotary position sensors were also very easy to integrate and the range of options is good so we knew we could immediately obtain the electrical output required to work with our existing circuit board.” 

 

He adds that the old proximity sensors didn’t provide enough information across the full travel on the machine’s functionality because they were set a few degrees off the full travel of the system. This meant the system had only a few degrees within which to decelerate. By contrast, an angular sensor like the Penny + Giles SRH501P knows where it is at all times and can control deceleration accurately.

 

Paul Bowles comments that, equally important for an agricultural application and especially for the Transtacker engineering team, was the mechanical robustness and generally rugged design of the Penny + Giles sensors and joystick controllers. 

 

Designed to provide an easy, simple and efficient way of collecting and stacking bales in the field, the Big Bale Transtacker takes full advantage of the functionality available with the Penny + Giles control system to make the operator’s job easier and ensure safer operation. Examples include enabling the Transtacker’s new and improved pick-up function to be adjusted without the operator leaving the cab and ensuring that, for safety, the machine’s guide bar is automatically retracted when ‘Road Mode’ is selected. In addition, when the auto pick-up function on the JC6000 is activated, large double tines penetrate the bales holding them securely on the pick-up frame and lifting them clear of the ground without stopping or slowing the Transtacker’s forward movement.

 

Paul Bowles reports that to date, twenty-two machines have been delivered with the new control system and there are no reported problems despite the rugged operating environment.

 

 

Advanced Insulation Ltd (AI) has acquired Plymouth-based Manuplas, a specialist in the design, engineering and manufacture of polymer solutions for the marine and offshore sectors. 

 

 

Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that its Industrial division has opened a new office near Munich to provide sales & technical support and customer service to its OEM customers and distributors in Europe. 

 

The move follows Curtiss-Wright’s recent acquisitions of Arens Controls, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls; and the merging of its existing Penny + Giles business into a newly formed Industrial group.  Together, these four businesses represent four powerful brands in the Industrial marketplace.

 

As a result of the mergers, Curtiss-Wright has consolidated its existing offices in Germany and moved to larger premises in Garching near Munich. The move will provide a more efficient administration process and service, with new orders being placed directly with Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division in the UK. Orders will also be dispatched directly to customers from the company’s manufacturing facilities in the UK and US. 

 

In addition, Curtiss-Wright can also increase its offering to incorporate products from all four brands, including by-wire shift controls, electronic throttle pedals, joystick controllers, motor control systems, power electronics and sensors for industrial, commercial and mobility vehicles.

 

Commenting for Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division, Senior Vice President & General Manager Kevin Rayment says: “Europe continues to be a key and developing market for the company and we believe there is a real opportunity for products from all four brands to enter new markets. We are also sure that these operational changes will benefit customers and distributors alike.”

 

The address and contact details for the new Industrial division office are: 

 

Schleissheimer Str. 91A, D-85748 Garching. Deutschland 

Tel: +49-89-5404-100-0 Email: sales@penny-giles.de or info@wmco.eu. 

 

 

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division is a recognized leader in the production of critical controls and assemblies for specialty vehicles, including sensors, electronic throttle controls and joysticks. Further information about Arens Controls, Penny + Giles, PG Drives Technology or Williams Controls products is available at www.cw-industrial.com. 

 

 

 

In September, natural ventilation, daylighting and cooling specialist Monodraught supplied and installed free of charge a number of its natural ventilation and daylighting systems to ‘The Little Miracles’ Project as part of  BBC’s charity ‘Children in Need’ featured in the BBC One special programme 'DIY SOS: The Big Build. The systems were used as part of a life changing transformation to the centre for disabled children in Peterborough.

 

‘Little Miracles’ (http://www.littlemiraclespeterborough.org.uk/about.html) is a Peterborough-based, parent-led centre support group and charity for children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions. Set up by Michelle King in 2010 after she was refused access on public transport because of her son Oliver’s medical equipment; Little Miracles now helps 700 families and has over 2500 children registered to use the centre. What started out as a coffee morning for mums with similar issues quickly became a registered charity and a lifeline to the many families that use it. A staggering 83% of the families that use Little Miracles live below the poverty line, so all services are free-of-charge and, for many of the children that use the centre, Little Miracles is the only place where they are able to communicate freely, make friends, and most importantly – be themselves.

 

Built in Peterborough in just ten days in September, the Little Miracles site was erected on a gifted 2½ acre site, which includes an old, run down concrete prefab. While the new site is bigger than the Charity’s previous property, its existing building was not fit for purpose and had the potential to cause significant problems to many of the families who desperately rely on the help given by Little Miracles. There were no disabled toilets, access ramps or changing facilities, and the existing climbing structures were unsafe and condemned. The building contained asbestos, was not secure and had none of the sensory equipment so many of the children depend upon. Monodraught’s contribution was to supply and install three WINDCATCHER® X-Air 140 natural ventilation systems complete with an iNVent® fully-automatic control system, to provide natural ventilation to the Main Hall. In addition, nine 300mm diameter SUNPIPE® natural daylight systems were supplied and installed to serve the main corridor next to the “living wall” and toilet areas. 

 

All of the systems were donated and installed free-of-charge by Monodraught. A team of four installers and a project manager completed the installation in just two days, amongst all the other activities involved in completing a brand new building from the ground up in less than two weeks! 

 

Commenting for Monodraught, technical director Nick Hopper says: “To say it was chaotic at times would be an understatement. Monodraught, and in particular all of the engineers involved in this project, are proud to be associated with such a great cause.”

 

The top cappings and skirts of the three Windcatcher X-Air units were finished in different colours – one red, one yellow and one orange; and all the louvres were painted grey. 

 

Set to be one of DIY SOS’s biggest builds yet, the show needed to demolish the existing space and build an entirely new centre using a timber frame structure. Essentials included full wheelchair access, a dedicated sensory room, space for counselling, an office, workable disabled toilets, a working kitchen and an area for the kids to eat, along with distinct spaces for both the young and the older kids that attend the centre. In addition, the centre was set in two and a half acres, with woodland, antiquated climbing structures and a football pitch, whereas the children needed a safe space to play with accessible equipment, sensory stimulation and space to run around. 

 

Early in January 2013 a computer room in the Bryant Building used by the Faculty of Science and Technology at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, had its aging air conditioning system replaced with two Cool-phase low energy cooling and ventilation systems fitted discreetly within the existing ceiling void.

 

In an effort to reduce its energy consumption, Anglia Ruskin University is keen to explore low energy alternatives to conventional air conditioning technologies and as a result, two Monodraught Cool-phase systems were specified to serve the Science & Technology classroom, replacing the existing end-of-life air conditioning system that provided comfort cooling but no ventilation. The Cool-phase systems provide intelligently controlled ventilation that naturally cools the area through the use of phase change material housed in thermal battery modules. The systems maintain thermally comfortable conditions and good air quality levels throughout the year.

 

Following the award of the contract, Monodraught’s design engineers first carried out dynamic thermal modelling, the results of which determined that two Cool‑phase systems (8KWhr) were required to ventilate and cool the space and, as is often the case with retrofit projects, the installation was rather challenging. 

 

At the Anglia Ruskin site the conventional wall louvre assembly for supply and exhaust air also had to be reconfigured due to the existing building construction, but the design team engineered a solution that utilised a roof mounted supply and exhaust system to serve the two Cool-phase units. Similarly, the installation of both Cool-phase systems was also carried out by Monodraught’s installation team in to prevent disruption to teaching commitments.

 

Commenting on the selection of the Cool-phase systems, Andy Lefley, assistant director of building services, estates & facilities at the University says the university was grateful to the department for allowing the trial in the Bryant Room and will be monitoring the results closely to gauge the impact. 

 

“If the trial is successful, the Estates & Facilities team will consider a range of further applications across the Cambridge and Peterborough campuses.” He says.

 

Each Cool-phase system continually monitors and records temperature, CO2 concentration and energy usage. Data collected the computer room between January 25th and September 2nd 2013 show very impressive results. 

 

The average daily temperatures for the Science & Technology computer room clearly demonstrating that the Cool-phase systems have consistently maintained the internal temperature well within a comfortable band and that while internal temperatures have exceeded 25°C, 28°C and 32°C during the data logging period, the Cool-phase systems have maintained an ideal temperature of less than 25°C within the room for 97% of the occupied hours across the thirty-one week period. At no point has the room exceeded either 28°C or 32°C – a level of performance that far exceeds the target overheating criteria stipulated by both CIBSE Guide A and BB101.

 

The typical background or atmospheric CO2 concentration is recognized as approximately 400 parts per million (ppm). In education facilities CO2 levels should ideally remain below 1500 ppm, with levels above 1500 ppm considered high. The CO2 concentration in Room 016, where the two Cool-phase units are installed, is consistently maintained below the threshold level.

 

But perhaps the most impressive result shows that the combined energy consumption of the two Cool-phase systems was 197.6 KWh of electricity across the thirty-one week data logging period. Assuming a standard electricity tariff of 0.11£/KWh, this amounts to total energy costs of £21.74, or just 70p a week, for both Cool‑phase units.

 

Commenting on the choice of Cool-phase for the project, Andy Lefley, assistant director of building services, estates & facilities said; “I am very excited by this technology and by the opportunity to improve student comfort without increasing the energy burden to Anglia Ruskin University. The results achieved show that the solution has complied with the overheating and air quality criteria, keeping temperatures and CO2 concentrations within acceptable levels.  This has been achieved with very low energy usage and equally low running and maintenance costs.”

 

 

Commenting for Monodraught, Cool-phase development manager John Curley says the two systems have clearly met the design criteria and specification requested by the client, adding: “Both Cool-phase systems delivered comfort cooling and maintained internal temperatures within an acceptable band, whilst providing fresh air to ensure that CO2 levels were maintained within acceptable boundaries.”

 

Further information and videos are available at http://www.cool-phase.net

 

COOL-PHASE® is a registered trademark owned by Monodraught Limited.

With immediate effect, Fulton Inc. has announced the appointment of Carl Knight as managing director of Fulton Ltd in the UK. Carl, who joined the company in 2009 as UK and export sales and marketing manager, will now be responsible for the financial performance of the business as well as strategic and day-to-day manufacturing and sales operations. 

 

Commenting on the appointment, Fulton Inc.’s Anne Renaud says: “Carl will continue to play a key role in growing the organisation and, as managing director, will develop opportunities for the UK business to become a key supplier to our China facilities.”

 

Carl will retain his sales and marketing role until a suitable replacement can be appointed and will be supported by the existing management team at the company’s Bristol headquarters. 

 

Prior to joining Fulton, Carl held a variety of roles and management responsibilities with Spirax Sarco including divisional sales manager from 2002 to 2009. Carl has also worked for L’Oreal as technical team process leader and for Warner Lambert/Parke Davis where he was a facilities & mechanical service charge. Carl has a BSC Honours degree in manufacturing, an HNC in control engineering and a BTEC in Mechanical Engineering; and is a fellow member of the Institute of Plant Engineers.

 

Further information on Carl’s appointment can be found at www.fulton.co.uk or by calling the UK sales office on +44 (0)117 972 3322.

 

Heat transfer specialist Fulton Limited has supplied a skid-mounted, dual-fuel-fired steam boiler package to Southmead Hospital for a project that facilitated in North Bristol NHS Trust’s £430 million PFI redevelopment of the site, which partially opened at the end of May 2014. 

 

Steam from the skid-mounted package, which features two Fulton 60J boilers plus ancillaries, is used during the washing and sterilising of surgical equipment and instruments at the hospital’s temporary central sterile supply department (CSSD). 

 

Commenting for Hulley Kirkwood – the consulting engineers responsible for the CSSD and specification of the Fulton system – Richard Boocock says: “Steam is fundamental to the CSSD and we needed a system that could raise sufficient amounts and in a relatively short period. Fulton boilers are renowned for this and, fortunately for us, they are manufactured in Britain and also right on the doorstep of Southmead Hospital. This means Fulton can also offer immediate back up in the event of any servicing requirements or maintenance issues.”

 

The washing process at Southmead’s new CSSD involves rinsing used surgical equipment in cold water before it is then washed in hot water, with steam from the Fulton boiler system being generated to indirectly heat water to a temperature of approximately 80 degrees centigrade. Once the surgical instruments are washed and re-packaged, raw steam (at approximately 180 degrees centigrade) from the Fulton system is then used to heat the water source of the CSSD’s clean steam generator, steam from which is then supplied to the sterilisers at a temperature that is sufficient enough to kill any remaining pathogens, microbes and bacteria. 

 

Fulton was also specified because a large residual store of energy was required and, in operation, its 60J vertical steam boilers feature a large reservoir of water at super heated temperatures. This means that if a demand for steam is required, the boiler can therefore ‘flash off’ a considerable amount of steam, something a steam generator is not capable of. 

 

 

Furthermore, Hulley Kirkwood specified duel-fuel-fired (gas and oil) Fulton Swiss burners to ensure a constant supply of steam was always available should the hospital’s gas supply be interrupted. Additionally, the specification of a twin boiler, skid-mounted system ensures ‘N+1’, a redundancy method adopted by the consulting engineers to ensure an additional source of steam is available to support the CSSD’s required performance, e.g. if one of the boilers needs to be taken offline for servicing or maintenance. 

 

Summarising, Richard Boocock says: “Although temporary, the central sterile supply department is an essential change-over facility that is indispensible in the move from the original NHS Trust site to the new PFI-owned hospital. The Fulton system is at the heart of the CSSD and Fulton’s on-going support and training is vital to its operators.”

 

Fulton’s renowned ‘J’ Series vertical gas- and oil-fired steam boiler range includes eight models with outputs from 96 to 960 kg/h. Its tubeless design, invented by Fulton, eliminates coils and tubes traditionally used in steam raising plant and enables the J Series to raise its full steam output in just 20 minutes. Its simple design and robust construction from quality materials makes them ideal for arduous applications in a wide range of industries. 

 

Fulton also has an enviable reputation for manufacturing fully prefabricated, skid-mounted systems and plant rooms offering high levels of efficiency and reliability. Systems are manufactured in Britain to BS2790 1992 Class 1 and are available for electric-, gas-, oil- and dual-fuel firing, with steam duties from 14 kg/h to 4787 kg/h F&A 100ºC. All systems are designed to be delivered to site and installed on a prepared concrete base and final installation is made easier by connecting to termination points, pre-installed by the customer, to ensure that the new boiler plant matches existing site services. Single or multiple skid-mounted systems based on Fulton’s vertical boilers are available complete with all necessary ancillary plant for a range of applications 

 

Further information on the products and services available from Fulton can be found at www.fulton.co.uk, by emailing uk.sales.office@fulton.co.uk or by calling +44 (0)117 972 3322.