INTERNATIONAL ANDSPECIALIZED TRANSPORT
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APRIL 2015
42
REMOTE CONTROLS
thePantherPN-T19-2 transmitterhas a
safety classificationPLd category3 stop
function. It is compatiblewithall existing
receivers in thePantherproduct family
and comeswitha replaceablebatterypack.
A rechargeable lithium-ionbattery is
also available.
Ergonomic designs
Designing thepositionand sizeof the
buttons and joystickson remote controls
is another important factor. In some
instances, controls are ‘shaped’ according
towhat applications theyare tobeused
for, ordesignedwith environments and
weather conditions inmind.
TheThorB4 transmitter from factory
crane remote controlmanufacturer IMET,
for example,wasdesignedwitha focus
on ergonomics. Themanufacturer says
theproduct is shapedaccording to its
applications. The transmittermeasures 296
x152x147mm,weighs 1,550gandhas
25mmdiametermotionbuttons toallow
easyuse, evenwhenoperators arewearing
industrial gloves. It is fittedwitha stop
functionbutton.
“The transmitter is similar to the
B3butwith the additionof a fourth,
double axis joystick,” themanufacturer
says. “Thismakes it an ideal system for
high integrity factory cranes, hydraulic
cranes, crawler liftingmachines andother
specialmachines. Inaddition to the four
double axis joysticks, theThor console
has space available for several on-off and
proportional commands,making it an
easily customisable transmitter for special
applicationswith complex functions.”
For electrichoists, overhead cranes,
conveyors, small tower cranes, IMET
offers theWaveS transmitter,which is
availablewith four, sixor eight double
pressuremotionbuttons.All have a
mushroomhead stopbuttonanda
removable contactless safetykey for
restrictedoperationas standard,
themanufacturer adds. The
transmitterweighs 375g.
Customers canalsoaddan
optional rotary switch,
pushbutton, toggle switch
orpotentiometer.
Talking the talk
Avital requirement for any
remote control is the connection
between the transmitter and
the receiver. To suit avariety
ofmachines,manufacturer
Scanrecooffers threedifferent
receivers toaccompany its
newPocketTransmitter. The systemhas
automatic frequencymanagement,which
prevents interruptions causedby radio
interference fromotherwireless equipment.
Where an extendedoperating range is
required, an extraPocket canact as a
repeater for the radio link.
To ensure that nootherunits interfere
with the connectionbetween the
transmitter and receiver, theunitsuse a
unique identity code. Themanufacturer
adds that the transmitter canbe configured
to eitheronly senddata
whenabutton is
activated. The
systemoperates
in the2.4GHz
frequencyband
andhas an
operating range
of up to300metres.
ThePocket
transmitter isbattery
operatedand is
availablewith three,
four, sixor eight one-
steppushbuttons. It is
water resistance to
IP67
classificationandhas five
programmableLEDs. The receivers
are availablewith relays,MOSFET
outputs and inputsorCANopen to suit
differentmachines.
Stable links
Tohelpprevent frequency interference
when inuse, radio remote controls from
Cavotec are fittedwitha ‘hot swapping’
function toavoidany interruptions in
automationand control processes.Michael
Scheepers explains, “To increase the
availabilityof radio remote controls in
harsh environments,we are able
toofferour frequencydensity
(FD) andareal density (AD) twin
solutions,which create a stable
radio link crucial in these types
of environments.Anadditional
feature includes a smart
pairing functionality.”
The controlsuse a2.4GHz
frequencywavelengthandmany
of themodels are also fitted
withdual battery compartments
fordoublingoperating time. In
addition toovercomingpotential
issueswith frequency interference
and ergonomics, visual displays
on remote controls are alsoan
important design feature.
Basedaround customer
requirements,which
includeda rangeof
different colours and
theoptionof individual
graphics,HBC-radiomatic
releasedanewversion
of itsmicron7handheld
transmitter. Thenewunit
has a configurable thin-film
transistor (TFT)display,which
allowsoperators to see feedbackdata,
status informationandwarningnotices in
increaseddetail. Thedisplay isnavigated
usingamini yuCON joystick.
Themicron7has 10 two-steppush
buttons, one rotary switchandoperateson
the2.4GHz frequencyband. It has a fully
automatic frequencymanagement system
anda stop impact switch, themanufacturer
adds. For activationof a spare transmitter
the control uses the iLOG system. Theunit
isbatteryoperated.
From remote controlmanufacturer
Ikusi is the3.0versionof the I-Kontrol
range. Thenew control has anew
CANopen returnandanupdateddisplay
that can show4x20 characters,withor
without light-emittingdiode (LED), or
in2x10 characterswithLED. “Thenew
displayoffers thepossibilityof presenting
informationgraphically, usingdifferent
icons that canbe chosen froman image
galley, in fourdifferent formats: 1, 2or
4 iconsondisplayat the same time,”
a spokesperson from Ikusi explains.
“Additionally, 10 characters associated to
anyof the icons canbewritten.”
Moderndesigns
A slightlydifferent approach to the
traditional handheld remote control
is available fromKnorr-Bremse, a
HBC-radiomatic new versionof
itsmicron7handheld transmitter
TheHetronicNovaMProp4L
remote control
The intelligent TrailerAccessPoint (iTAP) app
canbeused for controllingGoldhofer semi-
trailerswith independent suspension
