Materials Handling
Detection and Profiling Systems
BEC Engineering’s Automation Group carries out projects for machine & vehicle automation, process optimisation, object detection and collision avoidance and area/object profiling involving the use of the latest technology sensors, instrumentation and software for detection systems, safety systems, application specific algorithms, robotics and high speed response systems with example project types including:
- Laser scanner profiling systems.
- Machine anti-collision systems.
- Camera object detection and recognition systems.
- Robotic control.
- Automatic hatch, shed and stockpile filling control.
- Route sequencing systems.
- Stockpile (and information) management systems and capacity control.
- Manned to Unmanned machine operation.
- Remote machine control.
- Machine efficiency/optimisation.
- Product size control.
Technologies in use in our automation projects include:
- Planar laser.
- Detection instrumentation.
- Vision and camera systems.
- GPS, inclinometer and gyroscope instrumentation.
- RFID tagging systems.
- Embedded PC controllers.
The automation group is able to carry out electrical, mechanical and control systems design, implementation and commissioning tasks. High performance systems including QNX and Linux operating systems are commonly used for projects and the group has strong skills in C++, VB and database systems programming.
Detection and profiling systems are integrated into existing site control systems for applications such as:
- Detection of partially emptied rail wagons during unloading operation (derailment prevention) or unevenly filled rail wagons during loading operation (loading optimisation).
- Optimisation of stacker/reclaimer operation through stockpile edge/end detection, bench and total height detection and sensing.
- Ship berthing collision avoidance.
- Anti-collision of mobile machines (both track & rail) through detection of obstacles in the travel path of the machine portal or superstructure.
- Boom protection for shiploaders, stackers and reclaimers.
- Shiploader hatch detection.
- Container spreader transport vehicle automation.
- Obstacle mapping for optimisation of vehicle movement control.