a LARGE, proper roll off OBs at Siding Spring ;-)

[Bassnut]

Hi All

Ive just spent a few days over new year commisioning a fully remote control (internet) roll-off OBs automation system I designed for itelescope at Siding Spring, right amongst the pro big toys ;-).

What a place that is, quite an experience :P.

The OBs is 10m * 17m, thats a big roof !. The OBS can house some 15 scopes. I think thats probably the biggest roll off in OZ !.

Some features of the automation I designed:

Controlled by an industrial PLC. All equipment was off the shelf industrial automation gear rather than a commercial ASCOM compliant OBs controller, this was a requirement, industrial reliability is paramount.

Programable multispeed interface with a vector AC variable speed drive.

4 limit switches. closed, nearly closed, nearly open and open. This allowed very smooth and controllable programable movement.

Constant monitoring and remote error reporting of limit switch sequencing and condition, roof travel timing, remote control comms (close roof if missing), Boltwood weather sensor,drive overload,input to drive UPS power loss, OBs intrusion sensor, OBs operator station status.

Several timed fault latching modes that cause auto close that can be remotely reset (via internet).

Multimode manual local operator station to allow for easy maintanence and diagnostics.

PLC backlit LCD for detailed fault/status reports for rapid diagnostics in the dark (also reported remotely).

Wireless RF remote open/close fob controller for manual OBs 100m-away operation for site manager in emergencies (eg all PC based remote control crashed).

The OBs automation is totally electrically isolated from the remote control network, either via optically isolated USB or relays. Immune from lightning strikes or ground loops.

Realtime constant roof condition known, no reliance on status memory on reset or power up after a power fail.

Anyway, the brief was to supply a system that was totally operated remotely over the internet, and it works a treat !. Im well pleased :).

The pics show the OBS, rack and pinion drive system, limit switches/actuator cam , roll off area, and various other things including some serious imaging gear (scope installation has just begun), oh .... and me just to show scale natch :P.

One one of the outside pics you can see the Faulks telescope dome.

Cheers
Fred

[Bassnut]

The pic with the Faulks scope

[jjjnettie]

Lucky you Fred. :)

[h0ughy]

like your work Fred ;)

[RobF]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a treasure trove observatory.

Sounds like great "work" if you can get it Fred! ;)

[Screwdriverone]

Do you take orders Fred?

I have a 2.1m x 2.1m Garden shed with your name all over it....;)

Just a trifle, I am sure. Half a day job? :lol:

Cheers

Chris

[TechnoViking]

That is awesome!! I wish I had a system like that! manually pushing off a 4m x 4m roof is killing me, I thought id have arms like Arnie by now.. didnt happen.

That really looks like a great challange! hope it all goes to plan!

[pmrid]

That is serious mouth-watering stuff. A real thrill to be involved, I'm sure.

Peter

[bert]

Hey Fred,

Is the cable tie on the motor brake temporary? Because of the helical bevel gear gearbox type (ie not worm drive) the load can be passed back to the motor and it can freewheel if enough torque is applied to the motor, like from extreme wind in the direction of opening. That's why they use brakes on those motors without worm gears. I would assume that you would using a VFD drive which should output a brake control signal to prevent that possibility.

Otherwise pretty cool setup. Having had the experience setting up these large buildings, I know how much work they can be. Well done.

[Bassnut]

Thanks guys. Yes, it was interesting just being there and staying on the mountain.Pete the site manager was a great host, we had fun.

It was work, but the drive up and back (6hrs each way) was fun (6L V8) and pokeing around the scopes was interesting. Rob Mcnaught droped in for a chat too.

Im not looking to make this a commercial product, too much work and probably a bit expensive for the amature market.

I didnt actually install the automation, that was done by an electrician (a good one too, very professional). I just designed, programed and commissioned it.

Well spotted Brett ;-). I didnt know there was a brake on the motor untill a few days before I got there, so yes, I programed a multifunction output on the VFD for brake control with a relay, the brake is yet to be wired to it.

[Tandum]

Looks like a great project Fred, well done.

[bytor666]

Very nice!:eyepop::thumbsup:

[baileys2611]

Fred, I hope your observatory has survived the fires intact?

[Capricorn1(Tom)]

Fred that is some very impressive gear you have.:thumbsup:

[MrB]

Was wondering and hoping the same thing.

[Capricorn1(Tom)]

The photos show no major fire load on the property, surrounded by a bit of grass, trees appear to be to far away for any radiant heat to effect the building if they caught on fire.:D