Dedicated VMI Systems adds Wireless monitoring at Gurney Slade

Dedicated VMI Systems develops second wireless monitoring system for Francis Flower

After developing a new and innovative wireless remote silo monitoring system for Francis Flower in June Dedicated VMI Systems has developed a second system at Francis Flower's Gurney Slade site in Somerset. Francis Flower have, in total, 14 silos at their Gurney Slade site that hold a number of different powder products. Capacities range from 100 tonnes to 700 tonnes.

Similar to Runcorn Dedicated VMI Systems worked alongside its sister company Minsterport in weighing and measuring the silo's. The products are monitored by  Kistler Morse Bolt On Retrofit system and in general give accuracies of between +/- 2 - 4% FSD. The local indicators provide on site information that is vital to those working on the ground. Francis Flower wanted to show these exact same readings over the internet allowing its colleagues and customers to view silo contents from anywhere in the world. This allows staff to prepare logistics more accurately and in turn save money.

The 14 silos were previously remotely monitored by 6 Dedicated VMI DATAengine's that gave individual users the opportunity to view levels/weights of the silos.

Francis Flower were happy with the results gained at their Runcorn site and decided to upgrade the system to a digital/wireless operation asking Dedicated VMI Systems to produce a similar system at Gurney Slade. Dedicated VMI Systems incorporated the existing reliable weight management but connect the silos wirelessly through an Artic GPRS Router supplied through Viola Systems. These wireless systems connected directly to the new telemetry unit. The replacement for the 6 previous telemetry units was the Kistler Morse ORB remote monitoring unit that can input up to 255 channels. The ORB offers users the opportunity to visualize all of the silo's on site at any one time, providing vital and essential information such as current levels, capacity, percentage full, communications info and update times.

How does it work?

The Kistler Morse Microcells send information to the local indication units (SVS2000 x 11 and 1 off Weigh II). These were then connected via a serial output to 6 off Wireless Stations. Communication to the ORB was sent via Ethernet by the industrial grade GPRS Router. All 6 remote location signals were then transferred back to a digital signal that the ORB could read.

The set up of the ORB is quick and easy and all parameters (silo name, capacity, product held, alarms etc) was set up in less than 10 minutes for all 14 silos. The advantage in using the ORB over the 6 previous telemetry units includes:

1. Significant cost savings

2. Trending facilities for the entire history

3. System is not restricted by 4-20Ma Output

4. Ability to remotely calibrate all silos via virtual keypad anywhere in the World

5. Facility to brand the unit and web page to company name

6. Quick and Easy Set up

Francis Flower have now the ability to view all Gurney Slade Silos on 1 web page. They can access trends with a click of a mouse, remotely calibrate and check the system from any location throughout the globe and at the same time make significant savings throughout their operations.

Overview of the Gurney Slade site

Click to enlarge

Online System Screenshots

Click to enlarge