Displaying items by tag: PG Drives Technology

Curtiss-Wright Industrial to Launch New Joystick Modules at REHACARE 2014 (Stand 3/E54)

19 Sep 2014

Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that its Industrial division will be attending this September’s REHACARE International Trade Fair & Conference in Düsseldorf, Germany. The Company will promote its PG Drives Technology business, showcasing a range of medical mobility products, including additions to the popular R-net and VR2 wheelchair control systems.

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division has extensive experience in designing and manufacturing solutions for the monitoring and control of vehicles, including applications throughout the on-highway commercial vehicle sector. As one of four established specialist business units, PG Drives Technology has been designing, manufacturing and marketing sophisticated mobility control systems since 1976 and is now one of the world's foremost suppliers of these products.

On display for the first time at REHACARE is the second-generation R-net joystick module, which sets new standards in user-interfaces. The module contains a large, hi-resolution, VGA display with stylish graphics, as well as mechanical paddle switches for ease of use, a light sensor to automatically set screen brightness and a loudspeaker to provide clear audible warnings.

In addition, new R-net modules for Gyro drive control and Bluetooth control of iDevices will be launched. The Gyro module allows for improved drive-performance and straight-line driving on front-wheel-drive configurations, while the iDevice module permits the R-net system to connect with iPhones and iPads, as well as Windows PCs and Android devices.

To complete this impressive suite of new products, a compact joystick module for the VR2 wheelchair control system is also being shown and, being the smallest available on the market and primarily targeted at wheelchairs for indoor use, allows operators a closer approach to tables and minimizes the risk of collision with doorways.

PG Drives Technology’s modern UK design and manufacturing site is backed by a fully-equipped sales and service facility in the USA and general support offices in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The company also boasts a global network of authorized service centers, systems integrators and distribution partners.

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. For further information about products and other innovative solutions available from Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division, please visit www.cw-industrial.com or call +44 (0)1425 271444.

About Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW) is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.

Curtiss-Wright Controls Industrial. The New Power Behind Control Devices and Systems for Industrial Vehicles and Equipment

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

02 Aug 2013

Curtiss-Wright Controls Industrial. The New Power Behind Control Devices and Systems for Industrial Vehicles and Equipment

As Kevin Rayment explains, with the recent acquisition and merger comes an increased resource of dedicated engineers. “CWCI engineers have extensive knowledge across a wide range of industries and applications so, by working closely and directly with OEMs to achieve a better understanding of their requirements, we are able to respond quickly to a specific brief by customising existing products or creating new products and concepts to better suit their applications and specifications.”

To complement its sales and support facilities, CWCI also boasts a dedicated conceptual development centre at its Portland, Oregon facility, which can produce samples in as a little as 48 hours and thereby reduce the development cycle time to market. In fact, in 2012 alone, this state-of-the-art facility was credited with completing and fully testing 1,300 sample assemblies, 600 custom lab fixtures and 150 assembly line fixtures. And at one stage, over 5,400 parts were produced in a 20-day period.

All products from each of CWCI’s seven global manufacturing facilities, are fully EMC and environmentally tested – from temperature, pressure and static load, to highly-accelerated life testing and stress screening (HALT/HASS); and compliance to specific truck, bus and MPV vehicles standards. CWCI also follows APQP, PFMEA, DFMEA and PPAP quality assurance procedures and in addition holds key certifications for the ISO 9001:2008 quality management system, ISO 14001:2004 environmental management system and TS16949 automotive quality system.

Penny + Giles Controls

Established in 1956, Penny + Giles Controls is recognised as a leader in the design and manufacture of joystick controllers, sensors and industrial solenoids and has extensive experience in providing solutions for the monitoring and control of mobility, materials handling, off-highway and motorsport applications. The brand now offers a range of products including linear and rotary position sensors using both potentiometer and Hall effect technology; inductive, LVDT and LVIT linear transducers; fingertip, chest-pack and rugged joystick controllers; and linear, flapper, hydraulic, latching solenoid valves and actuators.

PG Drives Technology

With almost four decades as a leading supplier of high-end and reliable electric vehicle control systems, PG Drives Technology control systems serve the industrial and medical markets and are used in electric equipment such as materials handling vehicles, floor-cleaning machines, powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The company's products deliver precise variable power right through from batteries to the electric drive motors; and are fully-programmable to suit various motor types, voltages and power levels. All products incorporate proprietary advanced motor control algorithms and available accessories include joystick controls, displays for battery state-of-charge and vehicle status, and field programming units.

Williams Controls

Just a month after the PGDT acquisition, US electronic sensors and throttle controls manufacturer Williams Controls announced a merger with Curtiss-Wright Corporation’s Controls Industrial (formerly Motion Control) business. Williams Controls, which was established in 1937, is a leading designer and manufacturer of highly-engineered electronic sensors and electronic throttle controls for off-highway equipment, heavy trucks, military vehicles and materials handling applications.

Summarising the significant strengthening and expansion of Curtiss-Wright's existing industrial controls business, Kevin Rayment says it is another step towards the group’s vision to be the supplier of choice for driver control subsystems in specialty vehicles.

CWCI has taken the opportunity to launch its own website (www.cwc-ind.com), which features details on the group’s product range, capabilities and manufacturing resources while also including an aggregated newsroom for the group’s media updates. Additionally there have been major updates to the websites for its three industrial brands.

Williams Controls (www.wmco.com) benefits from a completely new site featuring its latest products, shortform brochures, manuals, technical datasheets and reports of recent installations. PG Drives Technology (www.pgdt.com) also benefits from similar features for the company’s electronic control systems. Having recently undergone an extensive refresh, the Penny + Giles Controls website (www.pennyandgiles.com) has been significantly updated to reflect the group’s new corporate identity.

Products from all three CWCI brands will be shown together for the first time during 2013 at shows including Beijing International Construction Equipment (BICES), CeMAT Asia and Agritechnica. The range includes position sensors, joystick and throttle controllers, solenoid actuators and electric control systems suitable for a wide range of specialty vehicle applications including agricultural vehicles, heavy trucks and buses, powered access platforms, backhoe excavators and airport fire and rescue vehicles.

Further information is available from the Curtiss-Wright Controls Industrial website (www.cwc-ind.com) or by calling +44 (0)1425 271444.

Curtiss-Wright Deploys Cutting-Edge Rapid Prototyping Electronic Throttles for New Polaris RZR Vehicles

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

27 Feb 2014

Curtiss-Wright Deploys Cutting-Edge Rapid Prototyping Electronic Throttles for New Polaris RZR Vehicles

Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that its Industrial division will be supplying Williams Controls electronic throttles to Polaris Industries for use on its RANGER and recently-launched RZR XP 1000 vehicles.

As vehicle volumes increase, Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) – a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative, high quality off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles – is opting for Williams Controls throttles as part of its decision to move away from conventional push/pull mechanical systems to electronic control.

Engineering teams from both companies worked together for almost eighteen months to re-engineer an existing Williams Controls pedal design, with the resulting electronic pedal needing to be sized and ergonomically shaped to suit the compact in-cabin dimensions of the all-new RZR XP 1000. During the product development phase, the Williams Controls team engineered a new spring design and, using its in-house rapid prototyping facilities, an altered lever arm.

The updated specifications for the new electronic throttle also included the use of an integrated, non-contacting Hall-effect sensor providing two independent linear output signals proportional to pedal position. This sensor provided feedback directly to Polaris’ latest throttle management system – credited as providing the fastest acceleration, highest top speed and flattest torque curve in the industry – to provide much-improved control.

What seemed like relatively simple design changes to the existing pedal actually required a complete revalidation of the Williams Controls custom pedal to ensure its suitability for both Polaris applications. This included testing it for both U.S. and European market requirements and a series of environmental assessments.

Despite some of the harshest tests ever carried out on its products – including corrosion resistance and ice water shock tests – the pedal out-performed the requirements of both companies. In fact, for the corrosion resistance test conducted in a salt fog chamber, the custom pedal far exceeded Williams Controls’ own 96 hour requirement and easily met the Polaris requirement of 336 hours. Upon completion of the environmental testing process, Williams Controls was able to provide Polaris with working samples for pre-production and field-testing, which has been completed successfully.

Commenting on the stringent testing requirements, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division Kevin Rayment explains that, given the conditions Polaris vehicles have to endure, they are delighted with the results. “It’s not unusual for these recreational vehicles to be found driving through swamps or in muddy water up to the driver’s waist, so to not just pass but exceed these somewhat unique requirements is a testament to our design, engineering and manufacturing processes.”

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. For more information about Williams Controls products and other innovative products available from Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division, please visit www.cw-industrial.com.

About Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW) is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.

About Polaris

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER® and RZR® side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles.

Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and Indian Motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered parts, accessories and apparel and Klim branded apparel.

Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII”, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at www.polaris.com.

Curtiss-Wright Industrial Autosport Engineering, NEC, Birmingham, UK, January 2014 Stand E770, Hall 9

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

19 Dec 2013

Curtiss-Wright Industrial Autosport Engineering, NEC, Birmingham, UK, January 2014 Stand E770, Hall 9

Curtiss-Wright Industrial – a member of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and leaders in control devices and systems for industrial and medical vehicles and equipment – will be using its stand at the 2014 Autosport Engineering show in January to promote products from Penny + Giles Controls and introduce its partner brands Arens Controls, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls.

New for this year’s show is the NRH275DR from Penny + Giles, which was originally designed for use on specialist vehicles destined for extreme and hostile environments, but is also proving of interest for motorsport applications. This latest rotary position sensor features a slim, low-profile sensor housing and separate permanent magnet assembly and is ideal for throttle position sensing and feedback applications. With no contacting mechanical parts that can wear, the lightweight and low-profile design of the sensor means it can be mounted where installation space is limited, e.g. the pivot point of the throttle pedal.

Also on show will be a selection of products from Williams Controls including its electronic throttle pedals which, in partnership with Polaris Industries – a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative, high quality off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles – has been selected for use on the company’s recently-launched RZR XP 1000, which has been credited as providing the fastest acceleration, highest top speed and flattest torque curve in the industry.

Curtiss-Wright Industrial will also be using Autosport Engineering to showcase AC Induction and DC Motor Controllers from PG Drives Technology and its latest acquisition, Arens Controls.

Further information is available from the Curtiss-Wright Industrial (www.cwc-ind.com) website or by calling +44 (0)1425 271444.

Curtiss- Wright Controls Industrial Agritechnica November 2013 Stand 01F311, Hall 1

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

05 Nov 2013

Curtiss- Wright Controls Industrial Agritechnica November 2013 Stand 01F311, Hall 1

Curtiss-Wright Controls Industrial (CWCI) – a member of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and leaders in control devices and systems for industrial and medical vehicles and equipment – will be using its stand at the Agritechnica show in November to promote products from its three brands – Penny + Giles Controls, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls.

For Penny + Giles, the SRH and NRH ranges of rotary position sensors will be on show, including its recently-launched NRH275DR magnet-activated rotary position sensor, which features a slim, low-profile sensor housing and separate permanent magnet assembly. Also recently launched and on show are the ICT800 and ICT820 in-cylinder linear transducers, which build on the company’s existing ICT technology by integrating signal conditioning into the sensor’s flange to simplify installation, reduces interconnecting cabling and make the sensors suitable for intelligent mobile hydraulics. Other Penny + Giles products on show include the ruggedised JC1500 and JC8000 joystick controllers and STT range of tilt sensors.

PG Drives Technology will be promoting its i-Drive and C3 general purpose controllers at the show. Claimed by the company to be one of the most advanced and cost effective digital controllers available, the i-Drive has been designed specifically for applications including small materials handling devices. The company’s C3 is a compact and cost-effective AC controller for electric powered equipment/vehicles including small ride-on machinery. It is available with two power options (200A and 250A), is compatible with all types of AC induction motors, and is designed to meet EN1175, EN12895 and UL583 requirements.

For Williams Controls, a particular focus will be on its ability to provide bespoke versions of its electronic throttle controls and lever-operated and rotary electronic hand controls and the company will be exhibiting versions designed for customers including Caterpillar and NACCO Material Handling Group. The company’s standard ranges will also be on show including the heavy-duty WM526 electronic floor pedal, the multi-angle WM537 electronic floor pedal, the WM542 electronic suspended pedal and the WM-547 rotary hand control. Also featured will be the WM-580 CANbus joystick control, which has a self-centring lever, IP67 protection for the electronics, and 12 to 24Vdc supply. The WM-580 is fully-customisable with over 50 potential variations including an ergonomic right/left handle grip orientation and configurable buttons and thumbwheels.

Further information can be found at www.cwc-ind.com. Alternatively, details of the latest products from each partner brand can be found at www.pennyandgiles.com, www.pgdt.com and www.wmco.com, or by calling +44 (0)1425 271444.

PG Drives Technology Provide Compact and Cost-Effective Motor Controllers that are Ideal for Small Industrial Vehicle Applications.

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

30 Jan 2014

PG Drives Technology Provide Compact and Cost-Effective Motor Controllers that are Ideal for Small Industrial Vehicle Applications.

The C3 and C3pump motor controller range from PG Drives Technology – a product brand of Curtiss-Wright Industrial and leaders in control devices, medical mobility vehicle systems and equipment – are ideal for small industrial vehicle applications including Class 3 pallet trucks and stackers.

The C3 is a compact and cost-effective AC motor controller, which is primarily intended for Class 3 pallet trucks and stackers but is equally suitable for small ride-on machines. The C3 is available in two power options (200Arms and 250Arms at 24Vdc) thereby allowing the most cost-effective solution for an application. The controller can be quickly matched to any AC induction motor via PG Drives Technology’s simple, three step auto-commissioning sequence. The C3 can accept multiple types of throttle connections, including 2- or 3-wire resistive and voltage. Inputs are available for direction switches, tiller switch, belly-button, seat switch, speed reduction and drive/hydraulic inhibit, as well as lift and lower signals, both switch and proportional types. A CAN tiller compatible variant is also available.

The C3’s software controls all hydraulic functions and can easily cater for interlocking of drive with lift/lower. Hydraulic functions can also be disabled in response to certain conditions such as a low battery voltage. This capability reduces the possibility of battery damage as a result of deep-discharge. To ensure maximum efficiency, an intelligent Hill-Hold algorithm only draws power from the battery if the vehicle starts to roll, removing the traditional requirement for a brake switch.

The C3pump from PG Drives Technology combines the 200/250Arms AC traction drive of the C3 with a 330A DC pump drive for controlling the lifting hydraulics. Designed with all the specialist features required for efficient and precise control of modern day stackers, C3pump features include multiple 2A outputs (for proportional valve, solenoid valves, electro-magnetic brake, line contactor and horn), 2 analogue inputs and 8 switch inputs. The C3pump is also CAN tiller compatible as standard.

Already RoHS compliant and designed to meet EN1175, EN12895 and UL583 requirements, PG Drives Technology is currently developing its next-generation C3 and C3pump, which will be updated to conform to the latest EN13849 machinery safety standards.

PG Drives Technology control systems are used in electric vehicles serving the industrial and medical markets, including materials handling vehicles, floor-cleaning machines, powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The company's products deliver precise variable power from batteries to electric drive motors, and are fully programmable to suit various motor types, voltages and power levels. All products incorporate proprietary advanced motor control algorithms and available accessories include joystick controls, displays for battery state-of-charge and vehicle status, and field programming units.

Further information is available from the new-look PG Drives Technology website (www.pgdt.com) or by calling +44 (0)1425 271444.

Curtiss-Wright Motor Controllers Specified for University’s First Formula Student Electric-Powered Vehicle

Published in Curtiss-Wright Industrial

22 Jul 2014

Curtiss-Wright Motor Controllers Specified for University’s First Formula Student Electric-Powered Vehicle

Curtiss-Wright’s (NYSE: CW) Industrial division has today announced that, via the Lynch Motor Company, it has supplied Sigmadrive motor controllers from PG Drives Technology to Cardiff University’s Cardiff Racing Formula Student team.

Lynch Motor Company (LMC) has been designing and manufacturing traction motors and generators for over 20 years and is known globally as a specialist in the field of low voltage, high torque permanent magnet DC motors and generators. The company has supported universities throughout the world for many years and its traction motors have been used for numerous Formula Student (FS) electric-powered vehicles.

Throughout 2013/14, Cardiff Racing has taken its first steps in creating an alternative fuel Formula Student car with the production of CRT01, a university research project the team intends to enter in the 2015 Formula Student event. This year however, Cardiff Racing's budget and efforts have been split, with one team continuing the development of an internal combustion powered car for the 2014 FS event and a second team researching and developing the alternative fuel version.

Whilst much research has been undertaken to prepare the team for the conversion from internal combustion to alternative fuel, one of the greatest challenges has been the development of an electric drive system. However, a breakthrough came when LMC managing director Trevor Lees offered student Matthew Moore a work experience placement during his GAP year between A-Levels and starting at Cardiff University. The work experience drove Matthew to get involved with the FS team when he started University and, having been involved with different universities and FS teams during his twelve-month work experience, Matthew decided to approach Trevor Lees for help during the development programme for the alternative fuel car, and so the relationship started.

Commenting for LMC, managing director Trevor Lees says: “I take great pleasure from working with universities and do what I can to help both students and teams. This can take the form of educational discounts and, in the case of Cardiff University, a presentation I gave on designing and developing electric drive systems, following which I offered advice on the components that can be used within them.”

Having designed the drive system for its CRT01 electric car, the Cardiff Racing team approached LMC for the supply of two LEM-200 72V, 15kW DC motors and two PG Drives Technology Sigmadrive PMT835M controllers. The four-quadrant Sigmadrive controllers are supplying each LMC motor separately with a CANbus link to produce a differential effect and, like a hybrid vehicle, provide instant acceleration and regenerative braking to put energy back into the batteries. The electric drive system on the CRT01 is capable of providing a peak power output of 28.5kW and rated torque of 400Nm at 6000rpm.

PG Drives Technology’s Sigmadrive PM motor controllers provide smooth and predictable speed control of permanent magnet traction motors across a wide range of system voltages and power ratings. Their advanced design includes features such as IMS technology, high-resolution current measurement, CANbus communications and extremely low heat dissipation. The Sigmadrive PM range can also be configured for dual-traction applications and includes a range of dedicated electric power steer assist controllers.

Further information on the PG Drives Technology Sigmadrive range of motor controllers is available at www.cw-industrial.com or by calling +44.1425.271444.

About Curtiss-Wright Corporation

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Curtiss-Wright Industrial to Launch New Joystick Modules at REHACARE 2014 (Stand 3/E54)

Curtiss-Wright Controls Industrial. The New Power Behind Control Devices and Systems for Industrial Vehicles and Equipment

Curtiss-Wright Deploys Cutting-Edge Rapid Prototyping Electronic Throttles for New Polaris RZR Vehicles

Curtiss-Wright Industrial Autosport Engineering, NEC, Birmingham, UK, January 2014 Stand E770, Hall 9

Curtiss- Wright Controls Industrial Agritechnica November 2013 Stand 01F311, Hall 1

PG Drives Technology Provide Compact and Cost-Effective Motor Controllers that are Ideal for Small Industrial Vehicle Applications.

Curtiss-Wright Motor Controllers Specified for University’s First Formula Student Electric-Powered Vehicle

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