Brought to the market in mid-2010, North America represents the final launch for Hirschmann’s Scalable Mobile Control System. Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH, Neckartenzlingen, Germany, first introduced the concept to the industry three years ago at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2008, and at this year’s trade show introduced the actual product.
The Scalable Mobile Control System can be used for controlling and monitoring machine functions as well as for load moment indication. The product family includes new controls from the iFLEX series and new iSCOUT operating consoles, which, by way of hundreds of combination possibilities, allow tailor-made solutions at reasonable prices. The modular concept also ensures that each solution can be adapted economically at any time to new requirements. Due to its versatility and the rugged design of the components, the Scalable Mobile Control System can be used in cranes and other lifting devices as well as in a multitude of other mobile machinery applications.
According to Jürgen Bäsel, product manager for mobile machine control, Mammoet and Terex are among the crane manufacturers utilizing the new scalable products on their cranes. At show time, projects were in the works with at least three other crane and lifting equipment manufacturers.
During the show, Bäsel described the concept of the new product this way. “The scalable portion means that customers can choose low-, mid-, or high-end control solutions. The mobile aspect means that it’s built to withstand harsh environments.” Ultimately, the scalable system also means faster integration time for OEMs, he said, in part, because open communication concepts and networking make programming simpler.
The controls, which were developed with the new EN ISO 13849-1 standard and the new machinery directive in mind, are available in the protection classes IP20, IP66/67 and optionally IP6k9k. They also offer an extended temperature range of between -40 and +70 degrees Celsius and are designed to fulfill even the highest demands on shock and vibration resistance.
Through different 32 bit CPUs, the whole performance range is covered, from low-end to high-end controls. Thanks to an integrated security architecture, the Scalable Mobile Control System also provides performance level c (SIL 1) or d (SIL 2) in accordance with EN ISO 13849-1. This security architecture consists of a security controller, a security protocol developed by Hirschmann as well as a Security Task, which monitors the main processor and the main control circuit of the application program.
All Scalable Mobile Control System controls have a compact design and provide over 200 inputs and outputs that can be combined. As the controls have a standard software platform, the same application can be used on all CPUs. Program or firmware updates can also be implemented quickly and easily without a PC, via a USB memory stick.
The operating consoles of the Scalable Mobile Control System, which, just like the controls, support Ethernet and CANopen, are available with the graphical CPU integrated in the control system; as stand-alone versions; and as console with integrated PLC control for compact solutions. “Among the options of interest in crane applications are storage of manuals, split screens, touch screens, and 3D user interfaces,” said Bäsel.
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
