The high-cost and intensive maintenance requirements of traditional in-motion weighbridges have often prevented companies from investing in them. TLC Software now offers the Dynamass Lite, a user-friendly, cost-effective alternative.
Dynamass Lite is easy to install and maintain with the added advantage of offering the potential for onsite support and calibration by company personnel. It is modular in that damaged cells can be replaced individually without damaging the rails. The damaged cell is removed and the new cell bolted on in its place. Another aspect that makes the Dynamass such an attractive option is that, depending on the number of bridges on a site, it can either be leased on a monthly basis, or purchased outright.
The Dynamass Lite consists of left and right weighing cells that are retrofitted to the rail. The cells are connected via cables to an industrial CPU, which is placed in a suitable location and then plugged into a 110 or 220 V mains power supply.
Calibration is carried out in situ using a calibration jig. The jig can be purchased or, alternatively, manufactured by the user from drawings, which are made available with the system. The calibration procedure is simple and takes approximately half an hour to complete. Generally, on stable ballast, it only needs to be performed on an annual basis.
Because it is a low-cost and simple system, the Dynamass Lite does not require external sensors for detecting locomotives or the presence of a train on the bridge, but uses practical assumptions instead. This is in keeping with the aim of a design to suit harsh environments, and works on the proviso that the incorporation of minimal hardware will result in fewer opportunities for breakdowns. The system nevertheless accommodates forward and reverse directions over the bridge.
A simple axle count method is used to distinguish between locomotives and trucks, and depends on the user entering the total number of axles on the locomotives via a keypad on the microprocessor. The train is assumed to have completely passed the bridge if a preset number of axles have crossed, or the bridge has encountered no activity for more than a specified duration.
Data is obtained either as realtime axle or truck mass, or saved in internal memory for uploading at a later stage. The system can be networked, or used in stand-alone mode, when data is collected via either a Psion Workabout handheld industrial data transfer device or a notebook computer.
One of the unique features of the Dynamass Lite is its simple and quick installation, which takes about half a day. Full training in the installation procedure is provided for company personnel, who are then able to deal with subsequent installations. Another unusual feature of the system is its easy maintenance. Again, clients are given full training in methods of maintaining the bridge, which empowers them to assume full control of maintenance, guaranteeing very short lead times for repairs. The CPU has a built-in diagnostics program for the rapid identification of problem areas, but if the client is unable to deal with a problem a technician can be dispatched for trouble shooting.
The Dynamass Lite is not as yet assized, but for internal auditing purposes, this is not essential. Tests have resulted in typical accuracies of 1%, depending on speed and wheel condition. The system is fully guaranteed for one year against malfunctions under normal operating conditions.
TLC Director Chris Uys says the aim is to offer companies a more affordable weighbridge. He says this is ideal for companies, like mines that require a number of weighbridges. "Another alternative is to lease the Dynamass Lite on a per ton or a per month basis.
"The Dynamass Lite is suitable for underground and surface use. It is ideal for industries like mines, agriculture, Portnet, forestry etc, etc."TLC Software specialises in computer-based engineering solutions for companies for resale and to end-users."
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| www: | www.tlc.co.za |
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