MBE Automation

MBE Automation MBE Automation is your source for LS Electric Variable Frequency Drives and Electrical Products.

04/24/2024

Last fall I sold a 100 HP drive to use to power a 50 HP irrigation pump motor for a single phase input at a Golf Course. This week they called up and wanted me to finish wiring it in. So Monday I went there and finished the wiring. Tried out the drive and programmed it. And then made sure the pump was spinning in the right direction.

We then talked about how to control this system. Originally it had a V-8 propane-powered motor spinning the pump. They could turn it on with their sprinkler control system but had no way to turn it off. So the owner was always going out to the pump house by the pond and having to turn it or even get it running sometimes.

So I proposed that to start with I could set the up with a smaller panel box with switches to shift from remote/off/manual. And another switch to regulate the motor/pump speed by either Frequency or an automated PID control to hold at the set pressure. There were other options I was discussing with them too. Like the ability to monitor and control the pump from his cell phone. The owner asked if it was possible to monitor the system so it would shut down if a pipe broke. That way they wouldn't empty the pond or flood the greens.

After more discussion, they decided to go with a PLC in the control box with an HMI so that the system could monitor for broken lines and do a few more things. So they agreed to go with that, with the understanding that all that would be needed to control it from his cell phone was a cell phone to Internet VPN. There would be a relatively small charge for a single line to the device. But, once set up he could monitor it and control the pumping system. So I ordered parts this afternoon and am doing the planning stage for the system. It should be up and running in about 2 and a half weeks.

04/24/2024

On the rebuilt and revamped tote stirrer, I found out a lot of things. First is that the lowest speed available with just using the mechanical speed reducer is about 600 RPM. Which is way too high for use with the Polyurethane and the 24-inch propeller. It is a good thing I planned on using a VFD to control the speed of the motor from the start. So right now it is set to go from 0 - 250 RPM. At the 250 RPM, the motor is operating at 35.5 HZ.

I did add in solenoid valves for pressurizing and depressurizing the Air over Oil tank. And then I added an air cylinder to actuate the mechanical hydraulic oil release valve.

Electrically I added a small PLC with Analog inputs and outputs. That allowed me to control the speed of the mixer and to get feedback on the amount of torque that the motor was seeing.

When the operators installed this Tote Stirrer, they were highly impressed with how well it stirred the Polyurethane and how easy it was to operate.

From what I learned with this rebuild I decided to come up with my own design. That is specifically designed for the Polyurethane Industry. Instead of the old-fashioned messy, oily, and dirty air-over Oil lift system, it will have a linear actuator. This gives me the ability to control the speed precisely and with the feedback on travel, I can set up specific points for safety. Like don't spin the blade unless it is in the tote. Also, to make sure the blade is spinning before it gets to the bottom of the stroke. This ensures that the blades are not folded down and will hit the bottom of the Tote. Other things will be available and designed into the new design.

12/15/2023

After dealing with a used piece of equipment that fought us all the way, I decided to design my own stirrer for use in the Polyurethane Paint industry. This would be an all-electric unit. so instead of using an air-over oil system to raise the head with a hydraulic cylinder, it would have an electric linear actuator. I have my initial sketches drawn up and am getting quotes for the various components and services.

12/15/2023

I am revamping a 20 HP tote stirrer for use at one of the Polyurethane plants. They need something to keep the paint in solution before using it. They are using a small air-powered unit, but they need something bigger and more effective.

This has been a real pain to get the shaft out of the old unit so it can be turned down to the proper diameter. Once it is turned down then it will have a 24-inch folding blade that will really agitate the mixture.

At the same time, it will have new controls, it will have a touch screen and PLC to control the system so that it can be set to time out when the fluid is correctly stirred. Instead of using hand-operated valves, it will be using solenoid valves to control the up/down motion of the mixer.

09/28/2022

I am getting asked to at the very least quote on projects for polyurethane plants. Most are small almost all manual systems where the operators use pitchers to measure out the Polyurethane and the Catalyst. So they are asking me to at the very least automate the dispensing systems.

Along with that, I am building pumping systems for these Polyurethane systems. Having a background in building these pumping systems helps a lot. The biggest problem right now is the supply chain. Extended delays on almost every item I try to buy.

I also have a farm I am automating to allow operation from the HMI display panels and from either a cell phone or a tablet connected to the Internet.

Lastly, I continue to work on the Control System for in-line car washes. I have 4 installed right now and everyone is different. Using the knowledge gained from building these units I am coming up with a generic Control System that my customer can sell to others. Hopefully, we will then be able to sell these units across the whole country.

09/28/2022

After several months of work coordinating the operation of the Tire Recycling line in North Carolina, it is finished. There might be a few upgrades to it in the future, but it has been running for several months now and is making a lot of mulch out of shredded tires. I don't know if I want to get this involved in the control of the whole line or not. Getting older and don't really like staying away from home for that long of a time.

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2450 Krouse Road Lot 463
Owosso, MI
48867

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