Most components on mobile equipment are going through incremental improvement- - 2% here, less leaks there, no grease required etc… However, off-the-shelf control modules are a BREAKTHROUGH which allow you to unleash the potential of your machine –AND- lower manufacturing costs.  Prune a multitude of relays, diodes, wires, terminal strips, electrical connectors, levers, control cables, joystick pilot lines, valve driver modules etc. from your machine by installing standard control modules from companies like Sauer, Rexroth, Parker, IFM, and STW.  This new breed of rugged mobile machine controllers have standard programming interfaces and PC service tools to greatly enhance serviceability.  

HOW WERE MOBILE MACHINES CONTROLLED…

Muscles, Levers and then, finally- -  hydraulics, but with valves located in the operators lap -or- at the end of a push-pull cable or a complicated linkage.  

HOW ARE THEY CONTROLLED…

Remotely Piloted Hydraulic Joysticks or Relays, Diodes & Switches or Maybe Custom Designed Electronic Control Modules.  
 

HOW SHOULD THEY BE CONTROLLED …

With “Off the Shelf” standard electronic control modules.

WHY … 

· Less up front costs … off the shelf components => no tooling, development, environmental testing costs

· Rugged & Durable  … IP67 sealed (watertight) , high impact plastic case

· Compact ... no terminal strips, screw terminals, enclosures or bulkhead connecctors

· Easier to install troubleshoot and repair… bolt it down and plug it into the harness with standard, sealed connectors.  

HOW ?

Consult with CaseCAD engineering to achieve a wiring and control system that exceeds your performance and cost goals.  CaseCAD recommends Sauer Plus1 modules and is poised to design and program an electrical wiring and control system to gain maximum advantage from the unique capabilities that Plus1control modules offer.

DETAILS:   READ ON ... OR CALL

Until very recently either a bulky, expensive industrial (PLC) was shoehorned on to a mobile machine -OR- custom printed circuit boards were developed.  Custom designed controllers are very cost effective if the PCB design, testing and programming can be spread out across thousands of units, but are not an option for custom or low volume equipment.  A sealed “black box” controller is less expensive, smaller, more moisture resistant and more durable than a PLC mounted inside a NEMA enclosure.  Typically, this type of controller was only an option for large volume manufacturers like car companies, Cat, John Deere, etc.  Fortunately, several companies are now producing standard controllers that meet these requirements and have standard programming tools, rather than requiring a team of software engineers writing “C” code.