Hardware

SIMOCRANE TPS consists of the following hardware components:

• Sensor controller
• 3D sensor

The sensor controller is based on a SIMATIC Industrial PC. The sensor controller is connected to the 3D sensor via two interfaces:

• RS422 interface for the 2D laser scanner
• CAN interface for the servo motor

You can connect up to two 3D sensors to a sensor controller.

The sensor controller is connected to the crane controller via Ethernet. The sensor controller is installed in a control cabinet for instance in the electrical room of the crane. It is advisable to install the sensor controller as close as possible to the 3D sensors to minimize the length of supply cables.

SIMOCRANE TPS sensor controller

The 3D sensor comprises a 2D laser scanner and a mechanical swiveling platform. The swiveling platform is moved by a high‑precision servo motor. The data is exchanged over an RS422 connection for every 2D laser measurement sensor and over a CAN Bus connection for the servo motors.

An external RS422 interface ¹⁾ is required for the communication between the SIMOCRANE TPS 3D sensor and the SIMOCRANE TPS sensor controller. The driver of this interface adapter is already installed on the SIMOCRANE TPS V1.2 sensor controller.

¹⁾ The interface adapter USB‑2COMi SI‑M is not contained in the scope of supply of SIMOCRANE TPS V1.2 sensor controller. Further Information about this adapter can be found in the SIMOCRANE TPS V1.2 Operating Instructions and the data sheet of the VSCOM interfaces.

3D sensor

The following overview graphic shows an example configuration of SIMOCRANE TPS with sensor controller and two 3D sensors:

SIMOCRANE TPS topology – crane system

Software

The SIMOCRANE TPS software consists of the following two software components:

• TPS Runtime
• TPS START

Both software components run on the sensor controller under the Windows operating system.

The TPS Runtime software controls the 3D sensors, evaluates the scan data and calculates the target positions for the parameterized objects (trucks, trailers and containers). The resulting data is supplied via the OPC interface of the crane controller. In addition to this data, the interface also returns error messages and diagnostic information.

The TPS START software is the commissioning tool for SIMOCRANE TPS. As the performance capability of a system grows, so too do the requirements for its user friendliness. This is the only means of ensuring simple handling of the system. For this reason, particular attention was paid to the user friendliness of TPS START:

• The system can be configured simply by means of the parameter list.
• All models are displayed almost completely in graphic form using a 3D graphic display.
• In most cases, the basic functions can be tested using an operator panel without actual crane data.
• The "Error and warnings" tab displays a clear overview of the current system status.

SIMOCRANE TPS START

Notes:

SIMOCRANE TPS does not intervene actively in the crane's process; it simply provides information. The system must therefore be regarded as an intelligent sensor. SIMOCRANE TPS is an assistance system for the crane and truck driver. The crane controller continues to be responsible for controlling the crane, and in particular for the control of the signaling unit (e.g. traffic light, display). Signal units are not contained in the scope of supply of SIMOCRANE TPS.

A virus scan cannot be run while the TPS Runtime is running. A system virus scan would have a negative impact on system performance and on TPS Runtime. This means no virus scanner is available on the SIMOCRANE sensor controller. We strongly recommend that you check the sensor controller for viruses at regular intervals, e.g. during the maintenance of your IT, and protect your company network with a firewall.