Rotec provides IoT technology for smart monitoring

Internet of Things (IoT) technology enables engineers to remotely control and monitor various performance and safety parameters using strategically placed, wireless sensors to provide data and control systems over the internet.

IoT technology can lead to a reduction in downtime, better response rates and speed of intervention for predictive maintenance.

Everyday examples of IoT include smart home security systems or wearable health monitors. In terms of engineering, the potential for IoT is staggering, from autonomous agricultural equipment to advanced monitoring systems allowing machinery to be monitored from any location worldwide.

With more than 7 billion connected IoT devices today, experts are expecting this number to grow to 10 billion by 2020 and 22 billion by 2025.

Rotec has invested in IoT devices to offer this forethinking technology to our new and existing customers, as part of the business’s strategy to maximise the use of the latest technology, data analysis and to find environmentally sustainable solutions for our customers. We are now the only company South of England to be offering a range of Parker IoT products suited to all sector markets that rely on hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical mechanical engineering solutions. 

This data centric and digital approach enhances both our own and our clients’ understanding of what really ‘works’ when designing hydraulics, pneumatics and electrical mechanical systems. It complements the other services delivered by of our brand such as bespoke design, custom builds, maintenance, repair and overhaul activities.

IoT can be applied to all sectors. Examples include IOS; an innovative solution to measuring the quality of hydraulic oils and hydrocarbon fuels. Lightweight, robust and portable, IOS features a laser detection particle counter, battery and pump plus memory with web page generator for data download onto any PC or laptop – enabling clients to sample oil on-site and gather results within 2minutes. The IOS’s ability to sample directly from a hydraulic reservoir, barrel, vehicle fuel tank or from a high pressure online hydraulic system with the addition of a pressure reducing adaptor makes it undoubtedly the most adaptable contamination service tool available today. 

Another Parker IoT product range Rotec are proud to offer is an extension to the IQAN mobile controller family of hardware; products we have very extensive experience and knowledge of . This product range permits clients to quickly write applications for the desired functionality of their machine, reducing programming time and expense for machine control systems.

We are currently researching and designing a custom-made, cutting-edge hydraulic system, with IoT for remote monitoring embedded into the design, for a prominent name within the UK marine industry. Using Rotec designed test case fitted with Parker IQAN and GPS hardware, our client will have the technology to remotely dial in to monitor the hydraulic system sensors. This ability to proactively monitor remotely has numerous benefits, including reducing severity of damages caused by contamination and temperature, as well as reducing downtime for non-remote monitoring activities.

To discuss your requirements, and speak to a member of our team about IoT, please contact sales@rotec.net or call 01823 348900.

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Custom made hydraulic winch system for the utilities sector

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd has recently completed works on a custom made hydraulic winch system for the utilities market.

Fitted to a fleet of Ford Ranger vehicles, these bespoke winches have been designed, built, installed and tested by our in-house team of engineers and include a hydraulic system, electronic control system and mechanical components.

The Capstan winch is specifically designed for fast line speeds and has a 350Kg working load limit with a remote electrical foot pedal operation

Safety features include an integral fail safe static brake and integral dynamic braking.

The Capstan winch drum is made of stainless steel and the winch is deployed on a sliding system to allow the operator to move it from stored position to operational position easily.

Our client is one of the world’s largest publicly listed utilities focused on transmission and distribution of electricity and gas. They play a vital role in connecting millions of people to the energy they use safely, reliably and efficiently. Rotec has worked with this organisation for several years and are proud of the strong, effective relationship we share.

At Rotec the team work on many different projects.  Much of the work undertaken requires the integration of knowledge and skills from across the Rotec team, to deliver all of the elements that make up a client brief. For more information on the services we offer, please click here.

 

Custom Designed Winching Systems

Isuzu Dmax

Rotec have been working with the Utility market for the last 20 years – designing and manufacturing winch systems for overhead line teams throughout the UK. Traditional vehicles such as landrovers were deemed the work horse and industry standard. Working with a number of organisation the challenge to replace the landrover centred on certain replacement vehicles – such as the Isuzu DMAX.

The bespoke system includes the following:

  • Electro-hydraulic PTO (Power Take Off) for the pump
  • Custom designed hydraulic manifold assembly, which uses an electronic proportional directional control valve
  • Dual pressure control which allows for pressure selection
  • Custom made hydraulic reservoir
  • Custom electronic control system, including a remote pendant with joystick control as well as a 2nd joystick located in the cab
  • Integrated electronic hand throttle for the engine
  • Quality winch and Parker hydraulic hose supplied with pressure test certification which can be traced throughout the Parker network using PTS system

The system operates in two work modes:

  • Lifting mode: capable of lifting up to 1550 Kg (SWL)
  • Self – recovery: capable of pulling 3600 Kg

The bespoke system is designed and manufactured completely in-house, fully – tested prior to despatch.

Medical Grade Components

Parker Legris CleanFit: Connection Solutions for Life Sciences & Clean Rooms

Rotec Hydraulics are able to supply a wide range of Legris fittings and tube specifically designed for oxygen and respiratory requirements. As a Premier Parker Hannifin Distributor, who are involved in the medical/science supply chain, Rotec has access to many different ranges of Parker Legris clean and compact push-in fittings, tubing, function fittings, valves and complementary products specific to Life Sciences and Clean Room applications.

With more than 40 years of experience in the manufacturing and marketing of high quality fittings, Parker Legris today proposes a wide range of proven solutions for medical and clean room environments: bio-medical equipment, breathing systems, respiratory equipment, diagnosis devices, pharmaceutical process and more.

Applications:

  • Respiratory

Oxygen Therapy/Oxygen Gas/Transfilling/Concentrators/ Oxygen Conserving Devices/Sleep Apnea/ICU/Aerosol

Anti-Dust Systems/O2 Delivery Systems

 

  • Preventative & Recovery

Perioperative Temperature Mgmt./Pre-OP/OR/Post-OP/

Therapeutic/Compression Therapy/Alternating Support Surfaces

 

  • Bio-Fluid Management

Dialysis/Medical Autoclaves/Dental/Hospital Infection Control/ Suction Therapy/Wound Therapy

 

  • Surgical & Diagnosis

Surgical Power Tools/Imaging Equipment/Home Diagnostic Equipment/Advanced Prosthetics

 

  • Laboratory

Gas Control/AA Spectrometry/Thermal Conductivity Detector

 

  • Clean Rooms

Air/Vacuum Conditioning Unit/Air Bearing Controller/ Semi-Conductor/Neonatal Ventilator/Filling & Packing

 

  • Pharmaceutical

Air & Nitrogen Supply/Buffer Preparation/Bioreactor Production/ Chromatography/Diafiltration & Concentration/Dosing/

Filling & Packing

 Rotec engineers included a specially designed ‘SPADE’, designed to be lowered into the ground, preventing the vehicle from sliding in extreme environments when winch is engaged (The power Capstan winches are designed to pull up to 350kg).

 Rotec will also undertake the finite element analysis, ensuring the vehicle conversion is strong and reliable, suited to the challenging environment it will operate in.

 

Portable Flushing Units

The Rotec Portable Flushing Unit performs a function that’s important for any hydraulic system: It flushes out and filters build-up of contaminants, leaving the system ready for use in minutes. It is crucial for maintenance, extends system lifetime, helps avoid repair costs and downtime. The unit can also be adjusted for fuel filtration and can be used for filling the system (filtering all the while).

This versatile unit is built into a trolley frame which makes it easily manoeuvrable and can often be found on keysides, decks or factory floors. The flushing unit is suitable for use in a variety of applications, including but not limited to: marine, industrial & off-shore.

The system is bespoke and can be tailored to your needs for use with a range of water-based control fluids or hydraulic mineral oils.

Technical Information of the system pictured:

  • Use: localised flushing on marine applications
  • Filtration: 10Q micron
  • Motor: 1.5Kw, 110v
  • Flow: 20 l/min
  • Pressure: up to 28 bar
  • Supplied with 5 metre suction and delivery hoses

Bespoke Winching System for Polaris 1000 HD ATV

Ever considered how Over Head Line maintenance teams get their tools ‘up’ on to pylons to enable them to carry out their work?  One answer is with Rotec Hydraulics’ help.

At Rotec Hydraulics the Team, work on many different projects.  Much of the work undertaken requires the integration of knowledge and skills from across the Rotec team, to deliver all of the elements that make up a client brief.

One such brief was to enable these incredibly gutsy all-terrain Polaris 1000 HD Rangers to help Over Head Line maintenance teams access their tools, whilst working off the beaten track and when needed at height. 

 For one utility company the skilled Rotec team designed, built and installed bespoke hydraulic and electric Capstan Winching Systems to a fleet of all-terrain vehicles, to enable utility staff to ‘winch up’ the items they need, when working at height.

The all-terrain Polaris 1000 HD Rangers are used daily to support overhead line operations in the utilities sector.  The low ground compact build of the Polaris is perfect to access difficult to reach areas when repairing or undertaking planned activity in the utility sector.  Their confined flatbed behind the cab, is ideal to hold and secure Rotec’s bespoke Hydraulic Power Pack, powering the Capstan Winch.  Electricity pylons are by the nature of their role, often positioned off the beaten track and are accessed across all sorts of terrain.

The whole winching system was designed, tested, built and attached to multiple vehicles by Rotec Hydraulics in their large workshop space at the Taunton branch using the skills of the specialist hydraulic Design, Build and Installation team.

The hydraulic and electric winching system ensures when these mighty little vehicles and crew reach challenging locations, they have everything needed to hoist tools up on to a pylon, to carry out overhead cable maintenance and repair work.

When in the middle of nowhere there are times when the utility company over headline maintenance staff will not be beside the winch system to physically push buttons, to engage the winding mechanism.  Therefore, when designing the power sources to operate the Capstan Winch, Rotec ensured the Hydraulic Power Packs could be petrol driven, alongside a battery to enable electric start and a remote electric start option for when personnel are perhaps in position up a pylon. 

An integrated cooling system and roll cage over the whole Capstan winching system unit adds overall protection to the investment as it is transported to site and used.  The complete winching system unit can be fully removed from the vehicle if and when required.

 As a further safety measure, Rotec engineers designed and manufactured a specially designed manually lowered ground anchor, to limit the ability of the vehicle to slide when the winch is engaged in more extreme winching situations.  The power Capstan winching system is designed to pull up to 350kg.

As part of the design and testing process Rotec also undertook the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in support of the Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER).  Rotec ensures we provide the additional evidence within our design to ensure the vehicle conversion is strong, reliable and suited to the challenging environments in which it is designed to operate. 

The Rotec team is thrilled they enable others to reliably undertake time critical repairs and planned activity, all year round, in any conditions, at any height, to keep key utility services across the country operating. 

Are you looking for an alternative option to get something from A to B in a controlled way?  Rotec Hydraulics experienced team of Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Mechanical and Electrical engineers can help.  Please contact any of our locations across the south west for more information or assistance.

 

Date: 24/02/2020  Revised   Author: Carly Warren