Built with pride #6

Electro
Steel Nerves

Meanwhile, the new box tipper has taken shape and the brain is being programmed. The completion date is approaching… are we getting nervous yet? Not the electrical guys, for they have nerves of steel. Remco & Ricardo know better than anyone that without nerves, the machine will stand still.

Earlier we saw that the PLC control takes care of the decisions the machine makes. The electrical system supplies the signals required for the machine to operate. For example, a sensor detects the position of the box and sends a signal, and then when the control gives the signal that the box can be tilted, this must be passed on to the motor.

Remco designs the electrical schematic, or the route the signal travels. He is involved early in the design process of the machine: “based on the project document, we first make an inventory of the functionalities of the machine and which electrical components we want to use for it. Think of sensors, variable speed drives, PLCs, relays and switches.” And these days, even that is not always early enough. “We sometimes face component delivery times of a year and a half! And as much as procurement tries to anticipate that, this sometimes means we have to select an alternative component.”

The choice of particular components already takes into account the service that may need to be provided to the customer after commissioning. “As much as possible, we try to use the same ‘standard’ components that can be used on any VHM machine. As a result, you choose components that we ourselves have generously in stock or that are readily available, or possibly easily interchangeable with other VHM machines. In the event of a breakdown or failure, this allows you to provide the customer with quick and optimal service.”

For schematic design, Remco relies on VHM principles developed over the years. From here, the location of the components in the control cabinet and the length and route of the wiring are determined, among other things. Ricardo can use the schematics to set up the control cabinet. “The floor plan of the components corresponds as much as possible to those of other VHM machines. This makes it easy to detect a malfunction. If a customer calls in response to a malfunction with the door of the control cabinet open, we know exactly what he sees in front of him and can and can help resolve the issue quickly. This is how we stay “IN CTRL” at all times! ”