Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division has today announced that it will be attending the North American Commercial Vehicle show in Atlanta, USA, and showcasing solutions for the control and monitoring of vehicles, including applications throughout the on-highway commercial vehicle sector from Booth #1140.

The Industrial division includes a number of established specialist business units with expertise in the design, testing and manufacture of a range of components and sub-system solutions for the safe and reliable operation and control of on- and off-highway commercial vehicles. Many of the systems designed and developed can be found in applications on today’s most advanced commercial vehicles including medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school and transit buses, recreational vehicles and agricultural and off-highway equipment.

• Arens Controls: A new WTI Traction Inverter range will be showcased at the show. This state-of-the-art range, for use in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles, can operate with multiple motor technologies including AC induction, permanent-magnet synchronous (PMS) and interior permanent-magnet (IPM) types and offer 360-600Vdc supply with 160-530KVA peak power output. Other operator interface control systems and power management products being showcased by this family brand include manual transmission shift controls; by-wire shift controls and shift-by-wire systems; power distribution modules; and converters for export power and jobsite tool needs.

• Williams Controls: This global market leader in electronic throttle control systems for commercial, off-road, heavy-duty and recreational vehicle applications designs throttle systems to meet the most demanding specifications. Its ergonomic designs include floor and firewall mounting configurations, optional kick down and customizable treadle covers. In addition, the company manufactures a standard range of electronic throttle controls that can minimize tooling costs for many applications. Williams Controls can also take basic ergonomic, dimensional, electrical and aesthetic requirements from OEMs; and provide a complete custom design service. The design, development and product qualification are all part of the customization process.

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division – including its legacy brands of Arens Controls, Penny & Giles, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls – is a recognized leader in providing components and sub-systems that enable customer specific solutions for a wide range of material handling equipment, including pallet/stacker trucks, reach trucks and counterbalance trucks.

For one application, NRH272 rotary position sensors from the Industrial division’s brand family of Penny & Giles have been specified for use on a range of British-designed and manufactured electric forklift trucks from Nexen Lift Trucks. 

The Challenge
To maximize storage space within a building footprint, aisle width in warehouses is being reduced and many lift truck manufacturers are having to adopt the latest technologies to ensure material handling vehicles can operate safely and effectively within these new narrow-aisle environments. Additionally, many lift truck operators are reviewing the environmental impact of running forklifts using traditional internal combustion engines but, until recently, electric-powered vehicles haven’t been able to providesimilarlevelsofperformanceandproductivity associatedwithtraditionalinternal combustion applications.

During its research and development process, Nexen identified the need for electric models and itslatestX-Rangeincludes the three-wheeledFBXT lift truck usingaNexen-designedandmanufacturedaxle; andafour-wheelFBXversionusingapurpose-designedsteeringaxle.

Forbothaxletypes, Nexenneededrotarypositionsensorsthatcoulddetectsteeringposition, withfeedbackfromthesensorenablingcontrolofthetruckspeedanddirection, anddisplayedtotheoperatorviaacabin-mounted Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Commenting for Nexen, technical manager Shaun Bailey says: “We needed a sensor that would combine maximum functionality with a design that was robust enough for our application. Angle range, redundancy, voltage range and versatility were all considered before we chose Curtiss-Wright.”

The Solution
A bespoke version of Curtiss-Wright’s NRH272 has been supplied with a 5V power supply option, 10-90% voltage output, Deutsch DT04 connectors and an electrical output set to correspond to rotations of between 20°and 360°. For added safety functionality, the sensor’s on-board diagnostic functions mean the outputs can enter into safe, pre-defined states should an internal sensor error be detected.

With over 30-years’ experience in the materials handling sector, Nexen has established itself as a reliable and cost-effective manufacturer of high quality, innovative products for the materials handling market. As Shaun Bailey explains, the Curtiss-Wright NRH272 complements Nexen’s reputation: “Much like Nexen, Curtiss-Wright has a reputation for quality and dependability, so when looking for a high quality sensor, it made sense to consider the NRH272.”

The Curtiss-Wright NRH271/NRH272 range of non-contact, rotary position sensors with Hall-effect sensing technology is designed to supply an optimum combination of performance, safety and cost effectiveness. The sensor is accommodated in a low-profile housing with a compact footprint; and its robust design offers outstanding protection from water, dust, shock, vibration and temperature, making it ideal for use in arduous, on- and off-highway vehicle applications. In addition, its incorporated non-contact, Hall-effect technology makes the sensor incredibly hard wearing.

Connection options are industry-standard AMP Superseal (IP68 rated) or Deutsch DT04 series (IP67 rated) connectors, or simple flying leads for customer termination. The sensor can also be supplied with a protective conduit for the cabling.

The Results
Having been designedfromthegroundup, Nexen’s all-electric X-Range lift trucks use integrated technology – including Curtiss-Wright’s NRH272 rotary position sensors – toprovideunprecedentedcombinationsofperformance, productivityandcost-effectiveness, all withoutcompromisingoperator safety and comfort.

The FBX and FBXT models within the X-Range are the latest in the Nexen line-up of electric counter-balanced forklift trucks. They have been specifically designed for the logistics and warehousing sector, whilst being developed to apply the most advanced technology and versatility available. The three- and four-wheel variants allow for a range of applications including the loading, unloading, shunting and storage of raw materials, goods and production materials; with lifting capacities ranging from 1.6 to 2 tonnes and different motors, transmissions and mast options available. Both models are also available in long- and short-wheel-base formats to provide a productive and energy-efficient solution for numerous lifting applications.

Having brought the design, manufacturing, research and development processes back from Taiwan to the UK, Nexen expects the X-Range to be extremely successful in the European market. “We originally handled manufacturing and R&D in Taiwan but, in recent years, have brought it back to the UK. It’s a big step for the company because it gives us much more control over the product and quality; and it gives us the ability to put our forklift trucks in the hands of some of Britain’s top designers and engineers.” says Shaun.

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division today announced that it will be attending the Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo North America 2017 and promoting products from its legacy brands of Arens Controls and Williams Controls from Booth #1118.

The 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.

• Arens Controls: The company’s new WTI Traction Inverter range will be showcased at the Expo. This state-of-the-art range, for use in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles, can operate with multiple motor technologies including AC induction, permanent-magnet synchronous (PMS) and interior permanent-magnet (IPM) types. Other operator interface control systems and power management products being showcased by this family brand include manual transmission shift controls; by-wire shift controls and shift-by-wire systems; power distribution modules; and converters for export power and jobsite tool needs.
  
  
• Williams Controls: Products from this market-leading brand in North America include a range of floor-mounted and suspended electronic throttle controls such as the WM-558 and WM-554 models; with complementary systems that include rotary electronic hand controls and cost-effective rotary position sensors using Hall-effect technology.

Many of the systems designed and developed by Curtiss-Wright can be found in applications in the hybrid vehicle market and on today’s most advanced commercial vehicles including medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school and transit buses, recreational vehicles, and agricultural and off-highway equipment.

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division today announced that it will be attending the 66^th IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition in Hannover, Germany, and showcasing solutions for the control and monitoring of vehicles, including applications throughout the on-highway commercial vehicle sector.

The Industrial division includes a number of established specialist business units with expertise in the design, testing and manufacture of a range of components and sub-system solutions for the safe and reliable operation and control of mobile and static machinery, including on- and off-highway vehicles, heavy trucks, buses, military vehicles and motorsport.

Arens Controls
Arens Controls designs and manufactures a range of operator interface control systems and power management products – including manual transmission shift controls, by-wire shift controls and shift-by-wire systems, power inverters and power distribution modules. Many of these systems can be found in applications for the specialist hybrid vehicle market and on today’s most advanced commercial vehicles including medium and heavy-duty trucks, school and transit buses, recreational vehicles and agricultural and off-highway equipment.

Penny & Giles
The extensive Penny & Giles range of rotary, tilt and linear position sensors offers angle measurements from 10° to 360°and length measurements from 5mm to 2000mm; they have been developed to meet the operating requirements of many position-sensing applications in the automotive and industrial sectors. Using Hall-effect, inductive or potentiometric technologies, sensors are packaged in compact or rugged housings with IP68 and IP69K environmental protections and mountings that give users a wide range of flexible installation options. The company also offers a range of solenoids and solenoid valves that include standard and configurable designs and styles that can be modified to suit specific applications or custom-designed for large scale OEM applications.

Williams Controls
Williams Controls is a global market leader in electronic throttle control systems for commercial, off-road, heavy-duty or recreational vehicle applications. The business also designs throttle systems to meet the most demanding specifications and its ergonomic designs include floor and firewall mounting configurations, optional kick down and customizable treadle covers. In addition, the company manufactures a standard range of electronic throttle controls that can minimize tooling costs for many applications. Williams Controls can also take basic ergonomic, dimensional, electrical and aesthetic requirements from OEMs; and provide a complete custom design service. The design, development and product qualification are all part of the customization process.

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division today announced that it will be attending the Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo and promoting products from its legacy brands of Arens Controls and Williams Controls.

The 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.

• Arens Controls: Operator interface control systems and power management products – including manual transmission shift controls; by-wire shift controls and shift-by-wire systems; hybrid vehicle traction inverters; power distribution modules; and DC/DC and DC/AC converters for export power and jobsite tool needs. Many of these systems can be found in applications in the hybrid vehicle market and on today’s most advanced commercial vehicles including medium- and heavy-duty trucks, school and transit buses, recreational vehicles, and agricultural and off-highway equipment.
  
  
• Williams Controls: Products from this market-leading brand in North America include a range of floor-mounted and suspended electronic throttle controls such as the WM-558 and WM-554 models; with complementary systems that include rotary electronic hand controls and a range of standard and customizable heavy-duty industrial joystick controllers, including the multi-axis WM580 CANbus model.