Wimesure has agreed to work with the retiring distributor IC Mesures for a transition period of at least six months. Jacques Maye (IC Mesures) will be working as a consultant with Wimesure, having distributed Penny + Giles products in France since 1995. Commenting for Wimesure, which has a network of 12 regional distributors throughout France, managing director Christophe Bracon says: “As a technical distributor we are keen to expand our portfolio and Penny + Giles was identified as offering a broad range of high quality products that complement our existing range.”

“We received full product training from Penny + Giles on its range of joystick controllers, solenoids and sensors, which has equipped us to offer specification and application advice to OEM’s.”

Welcoming Wimesure to its distributor network, a spokesperson for Penny + Giles says they are delighted with the company’s industry experience, knowledge and enthusiasm and look forward to a long and successful relationship.

Wimesure exhibited at the MesurexpoVison 2011 trade show in October, where they used the stand to promote the Penny + Giles range of joystick controllers, solenoids and sensors.

For further information, Wimesure can be contacted on +33 (0) 1 30 47 22 00, info@wimesure.fr or by visiting www.wimesure.fr

Penny + Giles

PRI is the largest trade show in the world for hardcore auto racing products held annually, in Orlando, Florida. 1,200+ companies display the latest in racing technology to over 40,000 qualified buyers. Preview new product lines, make purchase decisions and spend valuable time with suppliers and resellers.

Penny+Giles USA with business partners S.Sterling, Co. will be demonstrating examples of both linear and rotary position sensors that are designed for motorsport applications.

More details on this show. Come and see us at Booth #3158

Penny + Giles has produced a new shortform brochure for its joystick controllers, sensors and solenoids and solenoid valves – a product range that enables the company to actively compete in sectors as diverse as access control and specialised vehicles, to process control and motorsport.

The brochure looks in brief at the Penny + Giles range of fingertip operated rockers and joysticks, rugged single- and multi-axis joystick controllers; provides an overview of the company’s linear, rotary and tilt sensors and in-cylinder and valve position transducers; and introduces its standard range of solenoids and solenoid valves including open-frame, tubular, AC laminated and latching.

Available initially in English, with French and German translations following soon, the brochure also summarises typical applications and experience for each of the product ranges.

Download the PDF version (English) HERE

On display at the custom built exhibition booth in Hall 26 (Stand 26E06) will be the latest in technology developments for joystick controllers, rotary, linear and tilt sensors designed for use on specialist off-highway vehicles for agricultural applications, including tractors, harvesters, crop sprayers, balers and irrigation machines.

More details on this show.

Penny + Giles is supplying its contactless rotary position sensors and advanced joystick controllers to help control the latest Transtacker trailer from Big Bale Company South.

The versatile, multi-function trailer, which sells in the UK and around the world, has recently benefited from a major upgrade of its control system and now features highly sophisticated electronics developed by control specialist Tedd Engineering.

Explaining the significance of the new control system Paul Bowles of Big Bale Company South says the control system is predominantly responsible for controlling and managing the Transtacker’s hydraulics. “The hydraulics perform the three principle functions of the Transtacker trailer, which are to pick up, lift and rotate bales from ground level to the machine’s trailer. This involves controlling the operation of large double tines and a turntable, which travel between zero and 180 degrees.”

He goes onto say that in the company’s experience, agricultural equipment is plagued with poor sensors so they were determined that sensors for the new control system would be tailored to do exactly what they wanted and would future-proof the functionality.

Big Bale South’s previous Transtacker model used pairs of proximity sensors to indicate the position of zero and 180 degrees, but as bales can vary in size their travel couldn’t be monitored accurately if they were larger or smaller than the specified size. This variance in bale size could cause the machine to freeze and reliability therefore became an issue.

“What we needed was a programmable sensor capable of providing a safe area within the function that would allow the machine to continue, and this is what the Penny + Giles sensors give us.” says Paul. “The contactless Hall effect SRH501P rotary position sensors enable us to increase or decrease the functional sensitivity and introduce error codes that, when detected, allow the machine to continue within safe limits.”

A list of systems options was presented by controls specialist Tedd Engineering and reviewed by Big Bale South, whose engineering team is experienced in the many different rotary sensors available. Significantly, within ten minutes of the Penny + Giles SRH501P rotary position sensor being fitted to and operating on the Transtacker, the team decided it was the one for the job!

“It solved every problem instantly.” says Paul. “Among the options presented to us were no-contact types called snail shells but when there are gaps between sensors, especially in agricultural applications where conditions are incredibly harsh, they often get mud and crops on them and stop working. We now always specify that any sensors used must have a direct mechanical link with the function.”

Once the length of the arm and other details of the specification were calculated and they had the degrees of travel needed, Penny + Giles were able to factory-programme the sensor.

“We needed a system that would tell us where every function was at all times. What we now have, compared to the previous proximity sensors, is fantastic. In effect, the Penny + Giles rotary position sensor has given us fully-programmable functionality.”

The SRH501P rotary position sensors are used on three functions. The first is the zero to 180 degrees pick-up function, which lifts the bale from the ground and places it onto the machine. The second function controls the turntable, which can perform a straight vertical lift at 90 degrees. Alternatively, it can perform the third function, which is to lift and rotate through 90 degrees.

As well as rotary position sensors, Penny+ Giles JC6000 multi-axis joystick controllers were also specified for the Transtacker. These are currently programmed with only four of the six available axes because Big Bale’s engineers opted to future-proof the system with expandable operating capacity. The JC6000 joystick controller is coupled to a display unit in the tractor cab, which acts as a virtual terminal for the trailer’s ‘black box’ containing the machine’s software.

The control system is designed to make life as easy as possible for operators and enables them to simply push the joystick forward to begin the trailer’s operation. For the first function, the Transtacker lifts the bale onto the turntable, releases it and returns to position ready to pick up the next bale. The tractor doesn’t even need to stop to collect bales. The next function is initiated by pulling the joystick back, which lifts the turntable, rotates the bale and places it onto the back of the trailer. If bales need to be lifted without rotating them, the operator simply actuates one of the joysticks buttons while pulling the joystick back.

The display unit shows four joystick functions at all times and has five menu buttons. Pressing and holding any of the menu buttons changes the screen to show four different functions, which increases the functionality of the buttons on the JC6000 from four to a total of sixteen.

Commenting for Tedd Engineering, Richard Hooper says: “We specified Penny + Giles joysticks because we know they are well made, well engineered units and provide CAN (J1939) output. The SRH501P rotary position sensors were also very easy to integrate and the range of options is good so we knew we could immediately obtain the electrical output required to work with our existing circuit board.”

He adds that the old proximity sensors didn’t provide enough information across the full travel on the machine’s functionality because they were set a few degrees off the full travel of the system. This meant the system had only a few degrees within which to decelerate. By contrast, an angular sensor like the Penny + Giles SRH501P knows where it is at all times and can control deceleration accurately.

Paul Bowles comments that, equally important for an agricultural application and especially for the Transtacker engineering team, was the mechanical robustness and generally rugged design of the Penny + Giles sensors and joystick controllers.

Designed to provide an easy, simple and efficient way of collecting and stacking bales in the field, the Big Bale Transtacker takes full advantage of the functionality available with the Penny + Giles control system to make the operator’s job easier and ensure safer operation. Examples include enabling the Transtacker’s new and improved pick-up function to be adjusted without the operator leaving the cab and ensuring that, for safety, the machine’s guide bar is automatically retracted when ‘Road Mode’ is selected. In addition, when the auto pick-up function on the JC6000 is activated, large double tines penetrate the bales holding them securely on the pick-up frame and lifting them clear of the ground without stopping or slowing the Transtacker’s forward movement.

Paul Bowles reports that to date, twenty-two machines have been delivered with the new control system and there are no reported problems despite the rugged operating environment.

Penny + Giles has developed a new handle for its JC6000 joystick controller, which is being used on McConnel’s new Revolution control system.

With more than 75 years experience in developing tractor-mounted attachments, McConnel, a European Division member of the Alamo Group (an American-owned company specialising in agricultural and industrial machiney), has always been highly regarded by farmers and contractors when it comes to the maintenance of hedges, verges and grassland. Today, the name is synonymous with quality, durability and reliability and for manufacturing cost-effective equipment for maintaining hedgerows, verges and ditches, forestry, parks and sports grounds.

McConnel’s new Revolution control system has been designed for the company’s range of hedge cutters and verge mowers and is targeted at contractors and heavy plant users with operational requirements up to 2,000 hours per year.

McConnel’s hydraulics engineer Kris Perks explains: “Our products have to perform consistently well in the most challenging conditions and that’s why we have created a control system that is robust, straightforward and easy to operate.

“Joystick controllers are a vital component and need to be engineered to the highest standards to ensure we provide our customers with precision and durability. The JC6000 joystick is particularly impressive because it has been designed for mobile applications and its rugged build quality is ideal for the environments we operate in.

“Overall, we have been really impressed with Penny + Giles’ commitment to quality and the procedures it has put in place to ensure our control system is not only a market leader in innovation, but is also extremely reliable.”

He reports that the first JC6000 specified, which featured a standard Type A Handle with thumbwheel controls, was a huge success and has been welcomed by users as a significant upgrade on previous models. Subsequent versions of the JC6000 supplied for new control systems feature handles with two thumbwheels and two switches.

McConnel now specifies Penny + Giles joystick controllers whenever they design new control systems. A recent example, the introduction of the XTC control system, is a value-engineered version of a McConnel flagship controller that has proved to be a volume seller. It features a Penny + Giles JC2000 ‘mini’ joystick controller that replaced a competitor’s model and has upgraded reliability.

Operators also appreciate the new joystick. It has three proportional controls operating the main functions, all of which can be activated simultaneously with just two fingers, so it is extremely easy and comfortable to use. Operational safety is also enhanced as lift and angle float are disabled on arm movements and automatically restarted on joystick release.

As McConnel machinery becomes more complex and the company needs to control additional hydraulic services such as diverter valves, Penny + Giles has responded with engineering innovation in joystick design.

For its latest control system – Revolution – McConnel engineers discussed the application in detail with Penny + Giles project engineers who responded with an innovative new Type A Handle design featuring two thumbwheels and four switches.

Says Kris Perks: “We’re happy to specify a more expensive Penny + Giles joystick because the improvements it delivers in quality, reliability and performance makes the extra cost worthwhile.”

The top-of-the-range Revolution model is a radical evolution of McConnel’s existing control systems and is designed specifically for McConnel verge mowers and hedge cutters. Its CAN lever is fitted with the new bespoke JC6000 to make operation as easy as possible. A combination of 5.5 inch screen, membrane keypad and rotary controller enable operators to navigate a customisable menu as a more user-friendly way to change the joystick thumbwheel and switch functions, eliminating guesswork when operating the joystick.

Kris Perks says: “The partnership with Penny + Giles has helped further improve McConnel’s reputation for reliability and customer service and we haven’t seen a single Penny + Giles component fail.” He says.

Penny + Giles has further expanded the output options of its SRH501P and SRH502P contactless rotary position sensors with the introduction of a 4 to 20 mA version.

This expansion of the output options, coupled with their IP69K rating and operating temperature range from -40 to +120°C, makes the SRH501P and SRH502P sensors ideal for use in the majority of factory automation and process control applications. The use of contactless Hall effect technology also makes the sensors resistance to shock and vibration, which enables the sensors to operate in high dither vibration conditions with no deterioration of the sensing element.

The housings for all SRH501P and SRH502P rotary position sensors now also benefit from being manufactured using a surface treated, marine grade aluminium alloy (previously cast aluminium) and machined from a single billet.

The new 4 to 20mA output option sensors can operate from a 9 to 30Vdc unregulated power supply and be factory-programmed with up to 341 different angles from 20° to 360° (available in 1° increments) and clockwise or anticlockwise output direction (including 1xCW and 1xACW). The SRH501P and SRH502P provide 12 bit resolution (0.025%) over the selected measuring range.

The sensors are easy to install and feature a low output signal noise less than 10 μArms so require no additional signal filtering on the output signal. Like existing versions, the latest SRH501P and SRH502P sensors are manufactured using marine-grade cast aluminium housings with 87.5mm diameter flange and 12mm diameter shaft. They are also mechanically interchangeable with the Penny + Giles SRS880 and SRH880 rotary sensors, enabling existing users to quickly and simply upgrade to higher sophistication and a greater level of control.

Penny + Giles, a business group of Curtiss-Wright Controls and designer and manufacturer of high precision sensing technology, has pioneered developments in motorsport position sensing by using experience gained in aerospace applications, where reliability under extremely hostile conditions is paramount. The company’s sensors have become the benchmark in motorsport applications and can claim to have helped every winning team in the Formula 1 championship since 1986.

So when Norfolk, UK-based Active Technologies – an engineering design consultancy providing solutions for motorsport teams, track day enthusiasts and custom tuners – required a better engineered and more robust throttle position sensor for its patented shaft-less throttle bodies, it is no surprise that Penny + Giles provided the solution.

Having worked for Lotus and overseen eight engines into volume production for Saab, GM and Cadillac, managing director Paul Spinks founded Active Technologies in March 2005 to create a shaft-less throttle body that increases the flow of air into naturally-aspirated engines without the need for a turbo or supercharger.

“In technical terms we talk about volumetric efficiency.” explains Paul. “Each cylinder in a 2.0 litre, four cylinder engine is half a litre in capacity, but if you can introduce more than half a litre of air you can increase power. With our throttle body systems, we can achieve 120% volumetric efficiency, essentially compressing the air into the cylinder.”

A traditional butterfly throttle body consists of a brass disc mounted through a slotted shaft, which is held in place with two screws. The Active Technologies system removes the shaft to improve the air flow, and has resulted in a 10% increase in air flow and power from the engine compared to conventional butterfly versions.”

By retaining the rotating butterfly but removing the slotted shaft from the air tract, the only intrusion in the throttle body housing is a 2mm knife edge. This shaft-less design – protected by a UK patent and with patents pending in the US, Australia, Japan and Europe – has helped to eliminate turbulence, which can cause pressure to build-up in the housing and restrict the amount of air flow.

During development Active Technologies tested numerous throttle position sensors for its bodies, from mechanically-based versions to the latest Hall effect sensors, but none offered the engineering solution they were looking for.

Explaining some of the problems encountered, Paul says that if installed or used incorrectly, potentiometer-based sensors were generating an intermittent signal that reduced the spark advance into the engine and resulted in an extremely lean mixture that caused piston damage. He says other sensors using track dampers were also tested but, by using mechanical connections, were still prone to wear and malfunction.

Then, eighteen months ago, Active Technologies tested its first non-contact Hall effect sensor, but the shaft protrusion still didn’t offer them the engineering solution they required. However, it did convince the company that Hall effect was right for their throttle bodies and discussed the application with Penny + Giles engineers who recommended the TPS280DP throttle position sensor.

The Penny + Giles TPS280DP uses a factory programmable Hall effect sensor with two outputs that can be programmed individually for angular range, output range and direction. It has no contacting sensor parts, which ensures zero signal degradation over the lifetime of the sensor, and has a tested life of more than 60 million operations – more than 18 times the life of an equivalent potentiometer. In addition, when powered with 5Vdc, the sensor has an operating temperature range from -40 to +140ºC.

The TPS280DP has been specifically designed to work in harsh motorsport environments and has excellent shock and vibration resistance. Its drive and body are IP69K-rated to provide excellent protection against the ingress of dust, fluids and pressure cleaning. It is also mechanically interchangeable with many existing potentiometer-based throttle sensors using 32mm mounting centres and is designed to interface with most common throttle body D type spindles.

Explaining its advantages for the Active Technologies application, Paul Spinks says his company’s throttle bodies have a full shaft protrusion that engages into the body of the TPS280DP, providing a significantly better engineering solution. The Hall effect technology also supersedes traditional systems, which wear and create ‘dead spots’. Engine vibrations can also cause the contacting wiper on resistive-track sensors to bounce off the track, causing a misreading of the throttle position.

“We felt that the Penny + Giles sensor was a better engineered and more robust solution for the application. The quality and specification that Penny + Giles offers – high temperature, very high position accuracy (less than half a degree wide open to back) – is also what we are looking for when specifying components for high-performance engines.” says Paul.

Quoting performance figures, Paul states that a standard 2.0 litre, naturally-aspirated Duratec engine leaves the factory with approximately 150bhp, but by replacing the production system with an Active Technologies throttle body system, the output increases by 30% to 190bhp. Reinforcing the claim, he says Active Technologies’ own product demonstrator, a Renault Clio Sport, is fitted with four throttle bodies equipped with Penny + Giles TPS280 sensors, which has increased performance of the standard 150bhp engine to 196bhp.

Active Technologies throttle bodies are currently being rolled out to over forty different engine variants. In fact, motorsport team Mountune Racing, fitted them to two of Team AON’s LPG-powered Ford Focus ST cars for the 2010 British Touring Car Championship series. However, following a revision of the regulations for alternative fuelled engines, the team was ordered by the Touring Car Association (TOCA) to reduce the power output of the engine by reducing the turbo inlet restrictor and boost pressure because the cars were deemed too powerful, especially for other teams chasing or defending on the race straights, which could adversely affect the competitive nature of the sport.

Because of the controversy surrounding the use of LPG-powered engines, Mountune has reverted to normally-fuelled engines for the 2011 season.

Penny + Giles has introduced a new 0 to 10Vdc output version of its SRH220DR dual redundant output contactless rotary position sensor.

This SRH220DR, which uses proven, non-contact programmable Hall effect technology to provide OEMs with highly reliable and accurate rotary measurement for factory automation and process control applications, has a low output signal noise of less than 1mV_rms and an input/output delay of 3.5mS.

This new rotary position sensor has a choice of integrated 6-way connectors and provides numerous factory-programmed options. Designed for operation in extreme temperatures, the Penny + Giles SRH220DR enables system designers to quickly and easily improve the safety and integrity of control systems by using the dual independent power supply and output signals, which allows compliance with SIL-2 requirements for systematic safety as defined in IEC 61508.

The rugged SRH220DR is ideal for use in arduous environments (-40 to +115°C) and suitable for applications in factory automation systems and process control machinery where a 0 to 10Vdc analog voltage signal is commonly used by machine controllers and recording instruments to monitor, control and record the status of equipment.

The configurable SRH220DR provides numerous parameter options including measurement range and clockwise or anticlockwise direction output. This flexibility provides OEMs with greater control to configure the sensor to best suit their needs and achieve maximum performance.

With the 0 to 10Vdc output option (ordering code A2), the SRH220DR can operate from a 13.5-30Vdc unregulated power supply and is available factory-programmed with any one of 341 different angles from 20 degrees up to 360 degrees, in one degree increments. The Penny + Giles sensor also provides 12 bit resolution (0.025%) over the selected measuring range.

Unlike conventional shaft-operated rotary position sensors, the SRH220DR has an integrated shaft and magnet assembly that activates the Hall effect sensor through a hermetically-sealed chamber. This allows the sensor to be used in extreme environments that are subjected to high shock and vibration, and endure immersion in fluids for short periods (IP68 protected).

The sensor’s moulded housing includes a crush-proof mounting flange detail which has stainless steel inserts, allowing fitting and re-fitting of the sensor without damage to the flange. The housing also includes a choice of integrated 6-way connectors compatible with AMP Superseal 1.5 or Deutsch DT06 profiles.

The addition of the 0 to 10Vdc version further eases configuration, with factory-configured options also including analogue (0.5 to 4.5Vdc) or digital (Pulse Width Modulated) signal outputs as standard. The SRH220DR can also be factory programmed to offer 0.1 to 4.9Vdc output range, matching the equivalent signals from a potentiometer and the two outputs can be used for error checking if they are set up to be opposed (clockwise on the first signal and anticlockwise on the second signal) and the output summed.

The Penny + Giles SRH220DR features electromagnetic immunity to 100V/m and its very low maximum output signal noise of less than 1mV means that no additional signal filtering is required on the output signal. It also has a class-leading non-linearity of ±0.4% and, when powered with 5Vdc regulated supply, has an operating temperature range from -40 to +140ºC, with a stability of less than ±30ppm/ºC. An optional lever arm kit can be supplied, where installations require this feature.

Following the launch of its NRH280DP dual-output ‘non contact’ rotary position sensor in 2010, Penny + Giles has expanded its range with the introduction of a dual redundant output version.

Operating from a 5Vdc supply, the NRH285DR has two independent power supplies and outputs that enable full redundancy from a low-profile housing measuring just 6.5mm – making it one of the thinnest available.

The IP69K-rated rotary position sensor provides numerous factory-programmable options and is designed for operation in extreme temperatures from -40 to +140°C. It can also withstand temperatures up to +170°C for 72 hours. A separate magnet assembly that activates the fully encapsulated Hall effect sensor, which has a permissible air gap between 2mm and 7mm, also allows the sensor to be used in arduous environments that subjected to high shock and vibration.

The easy to configure Penny + Giles rotary position sensor is available with analogue (0.5 to 4.5Vdc) or digital (Pulse Width Modulated) signal outputs as standard, but can also be factory programmed to offer 0.1 to 4.9Vdc output to match the equivalent signals from a potentiometer.

The NRH285DR offers OEMs numerous options including measurement range from 20° to 360° (available in 1° increments) and clockwise or anticlockwise output direction (including 1xCW and 1xACW). Outputs can also be factory-programmed to include non linear laws; switch outputs; clamp voltages; different output phasing CH1/CH2; faster input/output delay; and extended analogue range.

The flexibility of the NRH285DR also offers OEMs greater control to configure the sensor to suit their individual requirements and achieve maximum performance. For example, the sensor can be configured for one signal to be used in a control function while the other can be used for position monitoring or display purposes.

The NRH285DR enables system designers to quickly and easily improve the safety and integrity of their control systems by using the dual independent power supply and output signals, allowing compliance with SIL-2 requirements for systematic safety as defined in IEC 61508.

The NRH285DR features electromagnetic immunity to 100V/m and has a very low maximum output signal noise of less than 1mV. This means that no additional signal filtering is required on the output signal. It also has a class-leading non-linearity of ±0.4%.