NEWS & EVENTS
Automation:
Minds is please to offer the following Asphalt and Concrete Full plant automation software:
- BatchTronic: Full asphalt batch plant automation control
- DrumTronic: Full asphalt drum plant automation control
- EmulTronic: Dedicated system to the control of emulsion and modified bitumen plants.
- MixTronic: Complete concrete plant automation control
With the number of screens ranging from one to four and a "zero console" option, the BatchTronic fits all types of plants and budgets. The system has the capacity to control all plant operations or just the tower. An industrial grade computer with security and redundancy features ensures reliable operation in all situations. BatchTronic runs on Microsoft Windows® via a communication driver, RTX from IntervalZero, and uses one or more unique I/O boards, depending on the plant complexity, over a real-time TCP/IP protocol.
The human interface has been conceived with ergonomics in mind. The exact 3D representation of the actual plant reduces the learning curve needed to use the system. The operator can actually link what is seen to the actual physical mechanisms. Large arrays of numbers are avoided in favor of clear symbolic information. The operator is always in control of the process which can be stopped and resumed anytime while direct control of motors is always possible.
Timing is of the essence of batching processes. The BatchTronic provides tools to understand and customize how actions are scheduled. The result is a clear understanding of what precedes and what follows any given event. Many options are available to fine tune the process in order to maximize plant flow rate and accuracy. In many real life cases, these options have proven to be instrumental in dramatically improving the plants maximum tons per hour output.
Ticketing meets all needs for customer files, truck files, job files, tare weight storage, various different modes of weighing, provision for hauling zones, cash sales, integration with office, dynamic report designer and more.
With the number of screens ranging from one to four and a "zero console" option, the DrumTronic fits all types of plants and budgets. The system has the capacity to control all plant operations (including site lighting), or only liquid asphalt and feeders. An industrial grade computer with security and redundancy features ensures reliable operations in all situations. DrumTronic runs on Microsoft Windows® via a communication driver, RTX from IntervalZero, and uses one or more unique I/O boards, depending on the plant complexity, over a real-time TCP/IP protocol.
The human interface has been thoroughly designed in collaboration with actual operators. The layout of information allows for a quick understanding of the overall workings. Delays and timing, for example, are displayed over a graphic representation of material flow and plant layout. These types of details help to prevent errors and misinterpretation. Large arrays of numbers are avoided, in favor of clear symbolic information.
The operator remains in control and the process can be stopped and resumed anytime while direct control of motors is always possible. The software can control silo storage, including complex conveying layouts, ensuring a clean and precise change of silo following a mix change. The software can be linked to additional users through the eRoutes™ platform, providing totals, consumption and inventory usage.
EmulTronic is a system dedicated to the control of emulsion and modified bitumen plants. Both continuous and discontinuous processes are controlled with state-of-the-art software. The level of automation can be adapted to any budget and plant complexity. EmulTronic runs on Microsoft Windows® via a communication driver, RTX from IntervalZero, and uses one or more unique I/O boards, depending on the plant complexity, over a real-time TCP/IP protocol.
The EmulTronic system has been installed worldwide. Its industrial computer and optional ruggedized I/O boards give the EmulTronic system the robustness needed in harsh environments typical of emulsion plants. The system can be linked to additional users through the eRoutes™ platform for reports and inventory usage.
Mixtronic is dedicated to concrete plant control. It shares the same underlying platform as the other automation products from Minds: A 3D representation of the actual plant, a human interface designed to facilitate understanding and efficient interoperability with the operator. The system runs under Microsoft Windows® with real-time communication driver RTX driving one or more I/O boards of the same type.
The Mix entry page covers all the numerous cases found in concrete batching and allows the operator to select easy timing sequences and order of entry for each component. Many options allow for fine tuning of the way the process is controlled. The system can be interfaced with dispatching software provided by Systech and has been integrated with eRoutes™.
Multilingual support allows language changes on the fly to accommodate different countries and operator languages. The MixTronic system has an online help component that provides contextual information to the operator. Remote control and monitoring is also available.
