RADIO TRANSMISSION IN A GALVANIZING PLANT

Crane technology for transporting parts within the framework of production processes such as surface treatment of metallic work pieces by galvanization is one of the features of modern automated manufacturing. Cranes are then becoming components in a mostly FIELDBUS-based automation system with e.g. PROFIBUS or PROFINET technology and transport parts across the different processing levels. In this process they are required – like the other system components – to prove high operation reliability which due to moved plant components has led to applying radio systems as a replacement for conductor lines used up to now. In 2011, the company OBO Bettermann established a metal competence centre as a highly integrated production facility; its core element is a plant for hot-dip galvanizing (Scheffer Crane Technology) by applying radio technology of Schildknecht AG in the plant control system.

For compliance with quality demands, applying radio technology in galvanization plants is required to meet high requirements with regard to availability, reliability and safety! This requires – in view of complex movement processes – intensive coordination between crane technology and radio technology during planning and constructing the plant in view of local conditions such as impairment of the radio link e.g. because of visual obstructions. Moreover, a comfortable start-up and remote-maintenance options for hardly or non-accessible conveyor components shall be enabled. In this process, control and drive engineering are required the same way as data radio, a field in which Schildknecht AG has been specializing for more than 20 years. A particular feature of this company is the equal status of innovative mechanical engineering and intensive application consultancy in the business model.