PECM Issue 20 2016 | Page 16

Frustrated by conflicting CAN Protocols refusing to communicate with each other? ommunication standardisation for lift-truck control can seem like wishful thinking, but savvy engineers can make devices from different manufacturers all speak one common control language, thanks to the capability of urtis controllers aving selected their ideal set of devices, frustrated engineers regularly find some on t communicate ith others, forcing them to approach manufacturers for e pensive and time consuming modifications to be performed void this scenario entirely by selecting a e uipped urtis motor controller that acts as an “interpreter for devices on the bus, translating different protocols into a single new common language without delay and fuss his simple, lo er cost solution can be done without assistance from urtis although support engineers are available for assistance with customisation if preferred a configurations, so electronic y by ire control of all vehicle functions is preferred he vehicle developer was insistent that the steering had to simulate the feel of a hydrostatic steering system his limited the devices for the man-machine interface forcing the developer to choose a device that only ran a custom version of bit Curtis enGage VII colour LCD instrument as chosen to provide battery status and heel position indication plus on vehicle diagnostics, real-time monitoring of critical vehicle information and speed he final selection of control devices meant three different protocols ere on board re uiring a separate and e pensive system master module ould be re uired to pull all three into line, and asked for Curtis UK’s customer support engineers for help ithin an hour of arriving on-site, the Curtis engineer had set the odel traction motor controller as the system aster controlling all different protocols imple, yet efficient ecently, a developer orking on an electric long load forklift pro ect re uired a remote seating position ithin a rotating cab, providing the operator ith a safe, clear vie of operations facing the direction of travel echanical linkages or hydraulic hoses are problematic in such Fle ible and reliable is ust one of several interesting functions that characterise the urtis motor controllers hey utilise an advanced indirect field orientation F vector control algorithm that provides the ma imum possible tor ue and efficiency C 16 PECM Issue 20 across all loads and speeds and the comprehensive logic allocation is enough to handle the requirements of almost any application or operator command control devices, regardless of the communication standards they use In summary, Curtis Low voltage nduction and motor controllers give vehicle designers an easy opportunity to use ne vehicle configurations, or fully optimise the energy efficiency of their vehicle, at the same time as reducing the overall comple ity of their control systems presents endless options to create a virtual system controller by integrating all control devices for hydraulic and electric drives and manmachine interfaces into one system that accommodates differing protocols, even IC engines or transmissions can be included ngineers can e plore the benefits of easily implemented custom functionality, safe in the knowledge that e pert urtis customer support engineers are ready and aiting to help out if re uired For further details contact Curtis UK on 01604 885201 email: [email protected] or visit www.curtisinst.co.uk