SICK introduce the LMS511 Bulkscan
New infra-red laser scanner improves volume measurement of construction materials on conveyor belts
MEASURING the volume and mass throughput of bulk building materials on a conveyor belt has been made quicker and more accurate with the introduction of SICK’s LMS511 Bulkscan laser scanner.
Operating indoors or outdoors under any weather or industrial conditions, the LMS Bulkscan can determine the volume and mass throughput of gravels, aggregates, hardcore, cement and other construction materials, providing a real-time measurement system for construction materials processing, storage and transportation that is almost maintenance free.
‘Fixed above the conveyor, the SICK LMS511 Bulkscan tracks a highly accurate and continuous non-contact profile of the materials on a conveyor belt, with a data update in less than 15-millisecond increments,’ explained Darren Pratt of SICK UK’s Industrial Instrumentation Division. ‘It will operate reliably in the presence of dust, rain or snow, and in ambient temperatures ranging from –30°C to +50°C.’
He continued: ‘The LMS Bulkscan represents a low-maintenance alternative to mechanical belt weighers as it is wear free and does not require regular calibration. Further cost savings can be achieved as the unit identifies off-centre or excessive loading of material on the belt which could cause premature wear and line breakdown.’
Using SICK’s proven LMS infra-red laser scanning technology, the Bulkscan compares the material profile with the reference scan of the empty conveyor and the resulting cross-sectional area of material is computed.
Using the measured speed of the belt and the material density value, the volume, mass and throughput of the materials can be quickly calculated. A highly accurate real-time mass flow or volume measurement can provide commercial advantages, for example, for revenue assessment, shipping weights or safe loading.
Importantly, the use of a Class 1 laser means it is entirely safe for operatives without requiring safety enclosures. The SICK LMS511 Bulkscan is contained in a compact (155mm x 155mm x 159mm) IP67, weather-proof, vibration-resistant housing, with an in-built heater that switches on automatically when the temperature drops below 5°C.
SICK say the LMS511 Bulkscan is easy to install and set up in vertical alignment for highly accurate bulk-flow measurement using its pulsed time-of-flight laser measurement system with a 190° field of view.
Commissioning is also quick and easy using the free-of-charge SOPAS software which is used to configure many of SICK’s latest products. A variety of interfaces are available for easy integration into the system architecture found on quarry plant, including six configurable digital outputs, two digital inputs, analogue inputs/outputs and Ethernet interfaces.
