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