MechChem Africa October 2019

Position sensor detection for hydraulic cylinders: a world first

SIKO’s SGH wire-actuated encoders from INSTROTECH can now be used to measure the stroke and speed in hydraulic cylinders with impressive efficiency, flexibility and robustness. S IKO’s SGH sensors use a wire draw mechanism integrated directly into a hydraulic cylinder to measure its stroke. The wire of the mechanism is secured to thepistonhead.When the cylinder extends, the wire wound on a wire drum is pulled out. The resulting rotation of the drum is detected by the contactless sensor system and converted into a linear position.

Smart SGH encoders are incorporated into the cylinder to protect against adverse environmental conditions and to enable their simple integration into a vehicle or machine without any stroke losses.

against external environmental influences. This offers a key advantage: in contrast to measuring systems mounted externally on the cylinder, the sensor system cannot be damaged, negatively affected or even de- stroyed by external events or environmental conditions.

compatibility with various hydraulic media. All specifications were tested and confirmed in endurance tests at the facilities of cylinder manufacturers or in external accredited laboratories.

This enables precise and absolute position or speed tracking of the cylinder at any time. The magnets used to measure the rotation are scanned by a contactless sensor system through the pressure resistant base plate of the SGHsensors. The electronic components are fully encapsulated and located on the non-pressurisedsideof the system. Theentire measuring system is therefore incorporated into the cylinder and optimally protected Rand-Air takes the stress out of mine shutdowns Developed for the tough conditions in mobile hydraulic applications, SIKO SGH sensors were designed and developed in line with the strict specifications of renowned hydraulic cylinder manufacturers. Market demands ensured that SIKO met their re- quirements regarding robustness, durabil- ity and functionality. SIKO worked closely with cylinder manufacturers to define and satisfy the specifications regarding service life, shock and vibration resistance, EMC and This SGHtechnology transforms hydraulic and telescopic cylinders as well as piston ac- cumulators into smart cylinders andhydraulic systems – and suitable sensors are available formost applications.Withmeasuring lengths of up to 5 000 mm, a wide selection of inter- faces as well as high flexibility for integration of the sensors, the SGH family offers a com- prehensive range of possibilities. Smart sensors take mobile hydraulics to a new level of safety and efficiency. ‘Functional safety’ is a termthat is beingwidelydiscussed. Safety concepts for mobile machinery has

Rand-Air Internal Sales Consultant, Adele Matthee, talks about her company’s equipment hire offering for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance in the mining industry.

W ith the vast amounts of capital invested in them, the production pressures on major mines are immense andunscheduledproductionstoppagesneed to be avoided at all costs. However, a mine’s major plant installa- tions such as compressor and metallurgi- cal facilities, are pivotal to production. Breakdowns in these areas can be hugely expensive. Planned shutdowns provide a mine with the means to avoid unscheduled stoppages, as these allow for maintenance, repair and upgrading of plant and facilities, which, because they often work a 24/7 duty cycle, cannot be taken out of service during normal operation. “The keys to a successful scheduled shut- down are meticulous planning and effective communication,”saysRand-AirInternalSales

Consultant Adele Matthee. We have been involved in the planned shutdowns of many of our mining customers for years and have good knowledge of the type and quantity of hire equipment they will typically need,” she says. Many of Rand-Air’s mining customers have the foresight to start planning a shut- downmonths in advance. “This is immensely valuable for us at Rand-Air as we can plan to have all necessary equipment ready at the due date,” she continues. Oftenwithplanned shutdowns, specialist contractors are brought onto site to carry out specific contracts. However, to avoid the unwieldy situation of contractors hiring and rehiring equipment, mines prefer to place a single order for hire equipment, which they then put at the disposal of the contractors concerned. Having really good knowledge of a

mine’s operations is valuable when prepar- ing for a shutdown, explains Matthee. One needs to know practicalities such as how hire machinery will connect to a mine’s re- ticulation systems or whether aminewill be

16 ¦ MechChem Africa • October 2019