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.
Robust JC1200 single-axis joystick has a long operating life
Curtiss-Wright Corporation today announced its Industrial division has launched the JC1200, a next-generation, cost-effective paddle joystick from the Corporation’s brand family of Penny & Giles.
By using a long-life bearing system and non-contacting Hall-effect sensing technology, the JC1200 has achieved a long operating life of 25 million cycles while providing functionality that is smooth and easy to operate.
Key features of the JC1200 include:
- An under-panel depth of 9mm, requiring minimal installation space
- A spring-loaded return-to-center or return-to-end paddle movement
- Integrated panel seal and IP67 protection – suitable for outside use
- A choice of nine colored paddle ‘Tabs’, which can be factory fitted or supplied separately and added as part of the final customer installation process
The JC1200 launches with a 5Vdc supply voltage and the option for factory-programmable electronics configured to one of two analog voltage output ranges (0.5-4.5V or 1.0-4.0V). The joystick also provides safety functionality via dual outputs, which can be set to positive or negative ramps, or a combination of both. This offers system designers the option to compare the output signals for error checking.
The JC1200 paddle joystick builds on the success of the potentiometric-based JC120 and is ideal for use in control panels and armrests found in industrial trucks, agricultural equipment and construction machinery, where cost-effective, long-life operator controls are essential.
Sales inquiries: Please forward all sales and reader service inquiries to cwig.uk@curtisswright.com.
For more information on Curtiss-Wright Industrial products, please visit www.cw-industrialgroup.com or call +44.1425.271444.
