HMI/SCADA -CIMPLICITY (source: InAutomation by GE Fanuc Automation)

Dredger efficiency enhanced by Proficy™ HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY^®
IHC Holland, a leading supplier to the dredging world, works through a number of business units, each serving its specific market sector. Through IHC Holland, IHC Systems is represented in practically every country in the world. IHC Systems uses Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY (previously known as CIMPLICITY HMI) to provide the information necessary for a smooth, efficient dredging process and to achieve maximum operational efficiency of the vessel and its crew.

During the 15 year relationship between Novotek (formerly known as TriMation) and IHC Systems, many types of software have been used for automation of the dredging process, leading to the current standard, GE Fanuc's Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY. They have always kept upward compatibility and the latest technology at the forefront. In conjunction with Novotek, IHC System is constantly improving the dredging automation business and setting the world standard.

Stationary dredgers
Knowing the exact position of the cutter or wheel, which determines dredging depth and width, is imperative for efficient and accurate dredging. The Automatic Cutter/Wheel Controller (ACC/AWC), using Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY, fully automates the dredging process of a cutter or wheel dredger. The core is a control system, added to a Dredged Profile Monitor, (DPM). The ACC/AWC regulates the dredging process and displays process data on a Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY system.

The most efficient production is obtained by setting the highest possible swing rate at a given horizontal and vertical cut. The ACC/AWC is designed to take over control of the swing winches, dredge pump, vacuum relief valve, ladder winch and spudcarriage. The Supervisory system integrates a PLC and a PC. Graphic extensions provide the Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY function for presentation of process values and communication between the operator and the system. Using the PC/PLC configuration, communication with other systems, such as survey, positioning, integrated data recording, reporting and flexible integration of custom-built applications are relatively easy to incorporate.

To achieve maximum efficiency both on large and small dredgers, and to enable the necessary customisation to be made swiftly and economically, the control and monitoring system has been designed as an integrated system. All relevant data is presented on monitors. Presentation of data and control of all functions, such as profile dredging, power management, reporting, communication with survey equipment and geographic positioning, takes place at one or more Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY systems.

Hopper dredgers
For effective dredging, the hopper dredge master must at any time know the position of the suction tube. Accurate data on draught and load of the vessel enables the dredge master to achieve safe and efficient loading of the hopper. The role of the Automatic Draught Controller is to optimise hopper loading throughout the dredging operation, ensuring that the largest permissible hopper volume is available.

Although hopper dredgers do not as a rule use long discharge pipelines, automatic control of the mixture velocity improves hopper unloading, which ensures better settling of the finest particles. Thus overflow losses, fuel consumption and wear are reduced.

Several of these functions are integrated in the Integrated Hopperdredger Control System, IHCS, using PLCs and PCs with Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY. A typical IHCS for a jumbo hopper dredger has an independent PLC system that monitors and controls dredge functions, propulsion functions, powerplant functions, power management functions and hydraulic functions. The PLC system communicates with the redundant Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY servers running on a redundant fibreglass network using Ethernet technology. The PLC system also communicates with several other systems like the electric drives for jet pumps, submerged dredgepumps and bow thrusters, separators, main engines/governors, controllable pitch propellers (CPPs) and the alarm system. Relevant data is presented on monitors. Presentation of data and the control of all functions, such as: loading process, automatic dredging, discharge process, power management, reporting, communication with survey equipment and geographic positioning, take place at one or more Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY Viewers. Each Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY system, with keyboard or touch screen, enables presentation of large amounts of information in a pre-processed form on a coloured screen, with no need for the operator to shift from one seat to another.

IHC Systems also offers dredging process training simulators which run on a PC, and hydrograhic survey and systems equipment based on Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY.


About us Company profile News Jobs Efficient Dredging Service & Guarantee Spare Parts History Disclaimer Hopper dredgers Cutter dredgers Excavators Hydrographics Contact Search	HMI/SCADA -CIMPLICITY (source: InAutomation by GE Fanuc Automation) Back to efficient dredging news Dredger efficiency enhanced by Proficy™ HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY^® IHC Holland, a leading supplier to the dredging world, works through a number of business units, each serving its specific market sector. Through IHC Holland, IHC Systems is represented in practically every country in the world. IHC Systems uses Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY (previously known as CIMPLICITY HMI) to provide the information necessary for a smooth, efficient dredging process and to achieve maximum operational efficiency of the vessel and its crew. During the 15 year relationship between Novotek (formerly known as TriMation) and IHC Systems, many types of software have been used for automation of the dredging process, leading to the current standard, GE Fanuc's Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY. They have always kept upward compatibility and the latest technology at the forefront. In conjunction with Novotek, IHC System is constantly improving the dredging automation business and setting the world standard. Stationary dredgers Knowing the exact position of the cutter or wheel, which determines dredging depth and width, is imperative for efficient and accurate dredging. The Automatic Cutter/Wheel Controller (ACC/AWC), using Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY, fully automates the dredging process of a cutter or wheel dredger. The core is a control system, added to a Dredged Profile Monitor, (DPM). The ACC/AWC regulates the dredging process and displays process data on a Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY system. The most efficient production is obtained by setting the highest possible swing rate at a given horizontal and vertical cut. The ACC/AWC is designed to take over control of the swing winches, dredge pump, vacuum relief valve, ladder winch and spudcarriage. The Supervisory system integrates a PLC and a PC. Graphic extensions provide the Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY function for presentation of process values and communication between the operator and the system. Using the PC/PLC configuration, communication with other systems, such as survey, positioning, integrated data recording, reporting and flexible integration of custom-built applications are relatively easy to incorporate. To achieve maximum efficiency both on large and small dredgers, and to enable the necessary customisation to be made swiftly and economically, the control and monitoring system has been designed as an integrated system. All relevant data is presented on monitors. Presentation of data and control of all functions, such as profile dredging, power management, reporting, communication with survey equipment and geographic positioning, takes place at one or more Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY systems. Hopper dredgers For effective dredging, the hopper dredge master must at any time know the position of the suction tube. Accurate data on draught and load of the vessel enables the dredge master to achieve safe and efficient loading of the hopper. The role of the Automatic Draught Controller is to optimise hopper loading throughout the dredging operation, ensuring that the largest permissible hopper volume is available. Although hopper dredgers do not as a rule use long discharge pipelines, automatic control of the mixture velocity improves hopper unloading, which ensures better settling of the finest particles. Thus overflow losses, fuel consumption and wear are reduced. Several of these functions are integrated in the Integrated Hopperdredger Control System, IHCS, using PLCs and PCs with Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY. A typical IHCS for a jumbo hopper dredger has an independent PLC system that monitors and controls dredge functions, propulsion functions, powerplant functions, power management functions and hydraulic functions. The PLC system communicates with the redundant Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY servers running on a redundant fibreglass network using Ethernet technology. The PLC system also communicates with several other systems like the electric drives for jet pumps, submerged dredgepumps and bow thrusters, separators, main engines/governors, controllable pitch propellers (CPPs) and the alarm system. Relevant data is presented on monitors. Presentation of data and the control of all functions, such as: loading process, automatic dredging, discharge process, power management, reporting, communication with survey equipment and geographic positioning, take place at one or more Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY Viewers. Each Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY system, with keyboard or touch screen, enables presentation of large amounts of information in a pre-processed form on a coloured screen, with no need for the operator to shift from one seat to another. IHC Systems also offers dredging process training simulators which run on a PC, and hydrograhic survey and systems equipment based on Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY.
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