Measurement Technology Northwest

WIRELESS COMPOST TEMPERATURE PROBE: ENGINEERED COMPOST SYSTEMS

Challenge
ECS, a company that designs and builds large-scale composting equipment, needed a device to measure temperatures in large, turned compost piles where cabled probes could not be used. These probes needed to survive the harsh environment, require infrequent battery changes, be relatively lightweight, and operate with as many as 50 probes at the same site.

Response
MTNW developed a small single board remote device with single chip micro-controller and a hybrid RF transmitter circuit. The device will measure 4 analog signals, transmit them up to 600 feet, and will run over a year on two "D" size lithium batteries. The RF protocol can communicate with up to 64 probes at a single site and uses format and checksum error checking to ensure valid transmissions. These boards were packaged in a rugged NEMA 4X enclosure and mounted on a stout stainless steel insertion probe.

AIR MOTOR CONTROL TEST STAND: INGERSOL RAND

Challenge
Ingersoll Rand's Material Handling Division had for years used a manually operated test stand to evaluate the performance and longevity of their pneumatic piston motors. This testing method was labor-intensive and didn't allow IR engineers to design real-world torque load curves.

Response
MTNW developed a PC controlled test stand with a line regenerative AC Flux Vector drive at the heart of the system. This system was capable of providing variable braking torque at any speed, while returning the braking energy to the AC line to prevent heat buildup. The operator software allows full automated test capabilities including stall tests, torque profiles, and endurance testing while logging air-flow rates, air pressure, motor speed and torque.

NETWORKED BELT SCALE SYSTEM

Measurement Technology NW has worked with several bulk resource clients to develop and manufacture belt scale totalizers with loadout control electronics and software on an OEM basis. This equipment finds applications in aggregate plants, pulp mills and anywhere else material is metered or quantitatively controlled on conveyer belts.

MTNW's 2700 Belt Scale System provides plant-wide inventory control, production monitoring, and blending control of belt conveyed products. This system uses distributed 2700 series (2700, 2710, 2730) Totalizers connected via a LAN to a SCADA computer running PC2700 Control Software. Each Totalizer unit provides stand alone operation of individual belt scales and supports multiple calibration modes. The PC2700 Control Software displays multiple Totalizer readouts, individual and batch scale calibration functions, diagnostics capabilities, and an enterprise accessible database.

To review all the features of this rugged and flexible system, just give us a call - 206.634.1308.