Design Note #64
Hydraulics is a fascinating technology. Powerful, rapid movement of physical machinery can be accomplished in the blink of an eye. Precision motion with great finesse is possible. Operator safety and reliable circuit operation are critical to the success of any hydraulics controller. OTEC was hired to design the multi-channel hydraulic machinery controller pictured below. Working closely with our client, we fashioned circuit designs which are both flexible and safe by design.
Programmable logic controllers are an expensive general purpose way to implement industrial controls—but when volume grows into the tens or hundreds of units, a custom solution makes much more sense. Custom embedded industrial controllers from OTEC can reduce the physical size and power requirements of your control electronics while also reducing unit cost, simplifying wiring interconnectivity, and improving reliability.
Many classes of low cost processors are available today. An ARM-based microcontroller was selected for this design. The ARM-based processor provides low power, low cost thirty-two bit computational performance. Today’s ARM-based processors support a large variety of on-chip peripheral components. On chip USB, Ethernet, and CAN interfaces allow low cost connectivity to modern computer systems.
This custom industrial controller operates over extended conditions from –40 C to +85 degrees C; without fans. Designed for compliance with UL60950, EN60950, CSA C22.2 safety and EN61000 immunity requirements. Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis (DFMEA) techniques were used to insure fault-free operation by design.
The development of custom electronic products for our OEM clients is OTEC’s entire business. The design of highly customized ARM Based controllers with rapid design cycles, demanding technical requirements, and unforgiving schedules sets us apart. Contact OTEC today!
"A low cost general purpose controller is exactly what we needed. We'd talked to others, but OTEC got it right away. They provided hardware and software that addressed our needs."
