Operator stations
Easy to use operator station
Main features
- Magnet and crane control functions integrated into single unit
- Operator station switchable between radio remote unit or pendant control
- Incorporates all necessary operating and display elements for crane driver
- Operational state clearly shown even in case of mains failure
- Simple ON/OFF function for safe magnet operation
- Optional function allows fast, precise auto-positioning of magnets
- Easy reduction of lifting force for fast order picking
- Robust housing, buttons and LEDs for maximum operational safety and durability
The difficulty of manual positioning
When using an active telescope to work with different lengths of material you will often need to adjust the spacing between your magnets. In the case of long flexible material such as rebars for example (see Figure 1:), precise positioning can be critical if you want to avoid excessive bending of the load. This can be a safety issue.
The traditional motor control arrangement requires you to operate a 3-position spring-loaded switch (left-stop-right) to start the magnets moving in the desired direction. You must then release the switch (motor stop) once the required position is reached. The entire procedure is manual and correct positioning of the magnets relies on visual judgement alone which can be problematic if you are at some distance from the working zone or if visibility is impaired.
Figure 1: Active telescope transporting different lengths of rebars.
Precision and time-saving with auto positioning
With the Truninger auto-positioning feature it is possible to move the magnets to any one of up to eight pre-defined positions. These positions, pre-defined according to the different lengths of material you need to handle, are set up initially by a technician during commissioning of your system but may be re-programmed at any time.
Two different switch options are possible for controlling the auto-positioning:
- The simpler option uses the existing 3-position motor switch. With this arrangement the switch is turned in the desired direction of movement and held in position. The magnets will start to move in the selected direction and stop automatically when the next programmed position is reached. Movement of the magnets can be interrupted at any time simply by releasing the switch.
- A more flexible solution is to install an 8-position rotary switch allowing the target position (0-7) to be pre-selected. The magnets will then be set in motion by activating a springloaded 2-position switch and stop automatically when the pre-selected position is reached. Again, the magnets can be stopped at any time by releasing the 2-position switch.
When auto-positioning is activated the InfoPick display changes as shown below in Figure 2:
Figure 2: InfoPick display during movement of magnets
The rotating green element indicates movement of the magnets; the yellow elements display the programmed text corresponding to the target position (3-6m in this example).
When the magnets stop at the target position the InfoPick display changes as follows:
Figure 3: InfoPick display when magnets reach target position
This remains for 3 seconds after which the InfoPick display reverts to the state it was in prior to activation of the auto-positioning.
Easy operation
Simplicity, safety, flexibility
Operating a magnet can be as simple as ON/OFF. To prevent the magnets to be switched OFF accidentally, TRUNINGER implements two-hand operation. Two separate buttons need to be pressed simultaneously: ENABLE and OFF (see push buttons 3 & 2 in Figure 1). Multiple magnet groups can be turned ON or OFF individually or all together (see group switch 4 in Figure 1).
Magnet- and crane controls merged in a single device
Figure 1 shows a radio remote controller for both, crane and magnet system all together.
Figure 1: Typical remote control for lifting magnet and crane
Automatic interaction between crane- and magnet system
Crane control signals are automatically processed by SmartPick™. In return, a set of crane interlock signals are generated to lock or restrict critical crane movements:
- Hoist lock: prevents activation of the crane hoist as long as the magnetic field is not completely built up or dissipated.
- Travel lock: locks or limits crane travel to slow speed as long as the magnets did not yet reach full lifting force (full load).
On top of this, SmartPick™ offers a switch-off lock. When a LOAD SUSPENDED signal is active, SmartPick™ will ignore any magnet OFF command, preventing unintended load drop.
Working with reduced lifting force
It is not always necessary or desirable to use full lifting force of a magnet. For example, when picking partial quantities or deselecting excessive material picked up. To perform this work efficiently, magnet currents need to be controlled accurately. SmartPick™ offers two ways to adapt magnetic lifting forces:
- Pressing the ON and Enable buttons simultaneously (buttons 1 and 3 in Figure 1) reduces magnet forces to the preselected partial load level. Turning the partial load selector switch will change magnet forces accordingly (see selector 5 in Figure 1).
- In partial load mode, the magnetic lifting force can also be ramped down continuously by pressing the ON button. This process is called "partial drop" and allows excess material to be discarded in a selective manner, e.g. on a loose stack of thin sheets.
Cable reelers
Low maintenance spring cable reeler for safe magnet operation
Main features
- Custom built for TRUNINGER and specially adapted for magnet systems
- Electrically connects SmartPick™ controller with the magnets
- For inductive load with redundant, ground slip-rings
- High load, robust, oil-resistant cable
- Multi-core cable—large cores for magnet supply, small cores for auxiliary functions
- Motorised cable reelers are also available
Backup battery
A backup battery increases the safety class from 1 to 3
Main features
- Automatic charging and capacity monitoring
- Capable of supplying magnets, display & control elements after mains failure
- Maintenance-free, temperature & shock-resistant high quality batteries
- Glass fibre laminate (GFRP) weather & acid resistant box
- Ventilation slits allow evacuation of battery fumes
- Optional heating function for cold climates
- Steel mounting frame simplifies installation
