Nota de aplicação: Encoders magnéticos de precisão para os ambientes mais difíceis: os codificadores WDGA personalizados da Wachendorff suportam as condições adversas nas máquinas de mandrilamento horizontal da AT-Boretec

Os codificadores rotativos absolutos resistentes a choques e vibrações da Wachendorff Automation estão fornecendo feedback de posição preciso para a alimentação automatizada de componentes de tubos como parte de um sistema de controle nas mandriladoras horizontais da AT-Boretec. Fornecendo uma alternativa económica aos métodos tradicionais de escavação de valas para a instalação de serviços de banda larga, abastecimento de água e outros sistemas subterrâneos, estas máquinas móveis da indústria da construção operam sob condições ambientais e mecânicas adversas, onde a fiabilidade e a longa vida útil sem problemas são de primordial importância. Representado no Reino Unido pela Variohm EuroSensor,

As perfuratrizes horizontais autopropelidas das séries Powerdrill e Rockdrill do fabricante alemão AT-Boretec estão disponíveis em uma ampla variedade de classes de tonelagem escalonadas. Caracterizadas pelo fácil carregamento de ferramentas de perfuração e alargamento e seções de tubulações para execução rápida de múltiplas operações de perfuração, as máquinas atendem a tudo, desde tubulações de pequeno diâmetro para cabos de fibra óptica até grandes furos para sistemas de drenagem de águas residuais. Especialmente econômicas e rápidas onde as tubulações precisam ser localizadas sob estradas, edifícios e outros locais com superfície selada, as máquinas podem perfurar até várias centenas de metros horizontalmente com um processo de perfuração e lavagem que emprega uma combinação de cabeças de perfuração e alargadores para expandir o furo e quando necessário entregar seções da tubulação.

Whereas previous generation machines from AT-Boretec required the operator to leave the cabin and manually unlock each magazine row, thanks to the automation of the magazine unit, the latest Powerdrill series allows the correct row to be conveniently preselected for automatic drill pipe removal via a cabin-mounted touchscreen console – thus saving considerable time and allowing more comfort and safety for the machine operator. As part of the new control system a Wachendorff WDGA absolute encoder is used to provide the row position via its integrated CANopen interface to ensure the gripper makes the exact alignment for the procedure.

The encoder specified for the magazine is a customised version of Wachendorff’s WDGA series, parameterised for an 18 bit multi-turn configuration to provide more than sufficient resolution and measurement range for the task in hand. The selection mechanism is driven via gear reduction with the encoder mounting effectively decoupled via spring-toothed wheel design to minimise unwanted forces on the sensor’s shaft and specially adapted bearing system.

The highly precise, dynamic and robust WDGA series is extremely capable of withstanding the exceptionally shock and vibration levels encountered on the machine where shaft loads of 120 N axially and 220 N radially are easily supported. The WDGA series absolute encoder supplied to AT-Boretec also includes the IP67 environmental protection option as well as additional shaft sealing and, although subjected to extreme weather conditions as well as the mud and dirt deposits due the drilling process, is installed on the machine without the need for additional protection. Two IP67 rated M12 connectors allow easy machine integration for encoder power and CANopen communications. As a standard feature, and for added operational safety as well as fast fault diagnosis, the WDGA includes a status LED integrated in the housing. And of course, absolute positional feedback technology also allows the machine to be set-up without the need for home sensors on start-up or in the event loading problems and subsequent resetting procedures.

The WDGA series, as standard, features Wachendorff’s patented EnDra® and QuattroMag® technologies where a unique non-contacting coded magnetic signal for each individual 4096 counts/rev rotation and for each accumulated revolution does not rely on internal gears or batteries – guaranteeing extremely long life and exceptional levels of reliability over operational temperatures of -40 °C to +85 °C. The standard range covers 36 mm and 58 mm housing diameters with 16/43-bit single-turn/multi-turn resolution and a choice of synchro flange or clamping flange mountings.

The CiA 301 CANopen device profile provides position, speed and acceleration information with many other features such as heartbeat, node-guarding, scaling and extensive diagnostics with up to 4 transmit PDOs individually configurable. Other WDGA series encoders from Wachendorff offer RS485, SAE J1934, SSI, Profibus, ProfiNET, EtherCAT, as well as Universal IE and other interfaces to ensure flexibility across a very wide range of machine architectures. Wachendorff also design and manufacture highly robust incremental encoders and a wide range of application matched measurement systems.

Variohm EuroSensor supplies and fully supports Wachendorff’s complete range of absolute and incremental shaft encoders and measurement components.