Weighing Cabernet-Sauvignon and Merlot

The Château Gruaud-Larose wine-growing estate in the northwestern Bordeaux region uses Siemens weighing technology to harvest its crop, to optimise the grape gathering process and to ensure precise crop weighing. The vines have to be handled with extreme care directly following the harvest, and the process of unloading the grapes from the trailer to the incoming scales must be performed without wastage.

To ensure that the yield from the 80 hec - tares of predominantly Cabernet- Sauvignon and Merlot vines is fully traceable and the quality of the wine assured, the harvest gathered in from each parcel of land must be weighed separately.

Because absolute precision is paramount, estate management decided to install the Sitrans WW200 weighfeeder from Siemens. As this weighing system is designed to allow wide-ranging customization, it was a simple matter to adjust it to the specific needs of the vineyard in terms of its belt length and type, infeed configuration and drive technology. At the same time, this solution guarantees high-precision weight recording and fulfills stringent hygiene requirements. A Milltronics BW500 integrator and a Micromaster MM420 frequency inverter are also used to determine all the important weighing values.

First 78 GHz radar level TX for solids level

Siemens Industry Automation Division has launched Sitrans LR560, the first radar level transmitter operating at 78 GHz frequency. This is a non-contacting 2-wire FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radar level measurement transmitter with a measurement range of 100 meters (328 ft). The transmitter emits a narrow four degree beam which avoids silo wall obstructions and other installation interferences, allowing it to be installed practically anywhere on the top of the silo. As the first radar transmitter to operate at 78 GHz frequency, it emits a short wavelength to provide exceptional signal reflection even from solids with a steep angle of repose. The graphical Quick Start Wizard guides the user to get Sitrans LR560 operational in minutes for accurate and reliable level measurement readings without any additional fine-tuning.

The unit is available with HART®, PROFIBUS PA, or FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus protocol. Programming is supported locally with pushbuttons or with an infrared handheld programmer. The transmitter also supports remote configuration and diagnostics with Siemens Simatic PDM (Process Device Manager), Emerson AMS™, or PACTware™ using Siemens DTM. The local display interface features a backlit display and can be rotated to four positions for convenience. The unique lens antenna is highly resistant to material build-up and an integrated purge connection is included for cleaning exceptionally sticky solids material. The high frequency operation makes aiming unnecessary, but the optional aiming flange helps direct the beam to an area of specific interest, such as the discharge area of the silo cone.

Belt scale integrators

Siemens Industry Automation division has improved its Milltronics BW500 belt scale integrator, and added a new version, Milltronics BW500/L, to its portfolio. The new version, developed specifically for simple applications with belt scales, has two relays. It calculates rate, totalized weight, belt loading and belt speed. The relays are programmable SPST form A contacts rated 5A at 250 V AC non-inductive, reversible. An automatic calibration function saves time during operation. Both versions store parameter data in a non-volatile Flash memory; measurement and control data is always available, even if the unit loses power. The standard Milltronics BW500 comes with five relays, offers additional PID control and batching in its functionalities and is specially designed for complex applications.

First launched in 1999, Milltronics BW500 is widely used in the food, cement, aggregate and mining industries. Operating with any belt scale or weighfeeder with up to six strain gauge load cells or LVDT (linear variable differential transformer), the BW500 processes belt load and speed signals for accurate flow rate and totalized weight of bulk solids. The new BW500/L can be used with one or two-load cell belt scale systems. Both versions can be connected to industrial networks via Profibus DP, Allen Bradley RIO and DeviceNet. They are also compatible with Sitrans RD500 remote data manager.

Both versions’ patented electronic load cell-balancing feature make them a world leader in system accuracy. Used with the MMI belt scale, Milltronics BW500 is ideal for fast-moving belts, short idler spacing, and light or uneven belt loading. Combined with Milltronics MSI and MMI belt scales and a speed sensor, Milltronics BW500 has various approvals for custody transfer and legal for trade applications, including OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology), MID (Measuring Instruments Directive), NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program), and Electronic Indicator/Totalizer approval from Measurement Canada.