Powerscreen has made a series of improvements to the plant controls used in its crushing and screening equipment. The company’s latest advancement is in the automation and control systems, simplifying the interaction between operator and machine. Initially launched in 2011, Powerscreen began implementing a wide-ranging upgrade to its plant control system to coincide with the redesign
Powerscreen has made a series of improvements to the plant controls used in its crushing and screening equipment.
The company’s latest advancement is in the automation and control systems, simplifying the interaction between operator and machine.
Initially launched in 2011, Powerscreen began implementing a wide-ranging upgrade to its plant control system to coincide with the redesign of its machines to be compliant with Tier 4i/Stage IIIB emissions legislation. The upgrade transformed the user interface into a more streamlined and integrated solution.
In earlier iterations within the mobile cone crusher range, the system had a multiple controller set-up with different interfaces for engine, cone setting, choke control and machine power.
However, the company says that with the latest generation system, all engine and machine functions are controlled and operated on a single, intuitive and graphically driven human machine interface (HMI) colour display.
The menu interface and display are designed to provide the operator with a balanced amount of process detail for any given task, from tracking the machine to crusher setting to full plant operation. An operator can access more detailed information through a secondary menu within the set-up, diagnostics and alarm settings menu, which can help an operator or service technician identify and resolve faults.
Within the screening range, the new HMI display provides improved diagnostic capabilities, such as fault log history, electronic engine information and fault code support, while retaining the industry-standard fault icons for shut-down and derate warnings.
A small programmable logic control (PLC) inside the display panel houses the main operational software.
The aligned roll-out of these systems with Tier 4i/Stage IIIB-compliant Powerscreen machines mean that the 1000 Maxtrak; 1000SR and 1300 Maxtrak cone crushers as well as some Warrior and H-Range screens, that are already dispatched and in operation, include the new plant control with HMI display. The same models with Tier 3/Stage IIIA engines are planned to be upgraded soon.
“The control system advancements have made life much easier for our customers and service department. Our team is able to promptly help customers by resolving any breakdowns in the quickest of times. This system on the newest models is operator-friendly and the screen is incredible, even in direct sunlight the graphics are really clear,” says Ian Williamson, who represents a local distributor, Powerscreen Mid-Atlantic, in the USA.
Next year will see the release of more new Powerscreen models that will be launched with the “next generation” of the company’s plant automation advances as standard.
The company says the system has already been developed and results of initial testing are “promising,” and more information will be available in 2013.
