Example configuration of a SiloTrack™ system
with a LAN and remote users.
Sensor Interface For Flexar® Guided Wave Radar and SiloPatrol® SE Smart Cable-Based Sensors Provides Flexibility and Ensures Performance
Simple English/Spanish Language Switching
Immediate Access To Important Data Via Network Ready Server/Client System Via LAN, WAN/Internet And Dial-Up
Unique Set-Up Wizard And Intuitive Operation Simplifies Use And Operation
SiloTrack™ System Security Will Satisfy Your IT Department
Monitor Up To 128 Sensors And Display Distance, Level, Volume, Weight, %, As Well As Alarm, Relay And Sensor Status
Advanced Features Including Multiple Sensors Per Vessel, Auto Report Generation & Transmission, Custom Curve-Fit Weight Table, Export Capabilities And Auxiliary Outputs
?SiloTrack™ Inventory Management Software Version 3.5 is the next evolution of Monitor’s popular PC-based application software that provides users with an unsurpassed, flexible graphical interface for our industry-standard SiloPatrol® SE Model SMU inventory monitoring sensors and our Flexar™ guided wave radar continuous level measurement sensors. Refer to bulletin 343A and 353A for more information.
SiloTrack software includes a Server and Client version. Together SiloTrack Server and Client provide inventory monitoring and management capability to a virtually unlimited number of users. Users can be internal and external to your facility, allowing you to easily implement remote inventory monitoring and vendor managed inventory.
The SiloTrack Server software is the master operator interface for our SiloPatrol SE and Flexar “smart” sensors. This software is installed on the PC in which the RS-485 communication sensor network(s) will be connected. All application setup and configuration is done with the Server software.
The SiloTrack Client software provides remote users access to the inventory monitoring system and can be installed on PC’s that can interface with the SiloTrack Server PC via LAN, WAN/Internet or Dial-up modem. Security is established in the SiloTrack Server software. The type and method of connection is established in the SiloTrack Client software. The SiloTrack Server software allows you to establish security for access by any Client user.
Auxiliary Output Enclosures (AOE) and Remote Display Units (RDU) can be added to make any SiloTrack system a true management and control system (RDU’s can not be used with Flexar level sensors). Relay action and analog outputs are easily setup in the SiloTrack Server software.
SIMPLE
START-UP AND OPERATION SiloTrack™ software,
like other Windows® based programs, offers simple and intuitive operation.
There are multiple ways to access and change setup parameters, or perform
system functions. You can activate functions from the drop down lists of
the Menu Bar topics, or by left-clicking the mouse on the Tool Bar icons.
?It is very easy to build vessel graphics using the unique Setup Wizard in the Server software. SiloTrack also includes a self-explanatory tab structure system, which makes it simple to configure alarms and relays, select sensors, select units of measurement, etc. The Setup Wizard in the Client software makes it simple to connect to the Server PC, subscribe to silos, and receive measurement updates.
With no prior experience, and with minimal help from the Installation & Operation manual that comes with the software, you should become comfortable with the operation of SiloTrack within 30 to 60 minutes – its that simple.
LANGUAGE SiloTrack Server
and Client software incorporate both English and Spanish languages. The primary display
and configuration text is English. Conversion to Spanish is easily accomplished. All Help files are only in English.
MAIN
DISPLAY
The main display screen for the SiloTrack Server
and Client software allows the operator or user to graphically view the last
status condition of each silo and its material contents. Using your PC’s
mouse you can highlight a silo (left click on the image) and display the detailed
information for the selected silo in the Silo Details screen (left panel in
main display as shown below).
SiloTrack has
the ability to have up to five sensors per vessel. Very
large vessels, or vessels that may have multiple inlet
and/or discharge points may require more than one sensor
for higher precision in the distance measurement. The total
distance measured by all sensors is divided by the number
of sensors to derive the average distance to the material
in the silo. The distance measurement can then be used
to calculate the level, volume and weight of material.
Measurement units can be selected from a wide variety of English or Metric units. Sensor status condition and diagnostic messages are displayed for each silo ("Ready";
or a specific error message will be shown in red).
Up
to four alarms can be established for each silo and can
be individually named and set to activate as a high or
low level alarm, sensor error or material reorder alarm. Changing alarm or relay set points is easy. Just "click and drag" alarm and relay indicators to change their respective set points. It's that simple.
Each alarm can be set so that specific actions are taken
when alarm conditions exist. Alarm notifications can be sent to: up to two e-mail addresses(or Text messages to cell phones), up to two fax numbers, and up to two pager numbers.
The material reorder alarm is a low level alarm that can provide notification to a selected vendor that this specific silo is in a reorder condition, thereby informing your vendor to take action based upon your pre-arranged instructions.
The
number of silos that can be setup and displayed on a single
page is limited by the size of each silo and the arrangement
that you create. You can size and locate vessel graphics
using the “click and drag” function with your
mouse. Multiple pages can be used to organize your graphics
by material type, location or any other logical method
you might want to use.
The
easy-to-use Menu Bar at the top of the main display allows
you to quickly setup the software for your specific application.
In addition, the "Tech Support" menu button can
be used to link to the Monitor website, view Installation & Operation
documents or to chat with a technical support specialist
if the PC is connected to the Internet.
Convenient
Tool Bar buttons (including the button for the Set-Up Wizard)
are provided just below the Menu Bar. These buttons will
allow you to quickly initiate common Windows® commands
plus make a manual measurement for a single silo or all
silos. You can also view the selected silo history graph
and silo properties. SiloTrack Inventory
Management Software is truly the easiest to use and the
most flexible and capable operator-interface of its kind.
SILO
SETUP
While you can use our unique SiloTrack Setup
Wizard as previously mentioned, silo graphics can also be established
by left-clicking on the "Add Silo" Tool Bar button
or by entering the "Silo" menu and clicking on the
menu item "Add" (shown at right). This will automatically
place a silo graphic on the main display screen. All the information
about the silo can then be easily entered in the "Properties" window,
which is accessed under the "Silo" menu or via the
convenient silo properties button.
The silo setup in the properties window includes Sensor Selection and Address, Silo Name and Material Contents, Display Default, Measurement Method (manual, auto or auto/manual),, Automatic Measrement Settings, Measurement Units (English and Metric), Silo Type, Dimensions and Material Bulk Density, Curve-Fit Weight Data Table Setup (if used), Alarm 1, 2, 3 and 4 Setup, %Display, Analog (one per sensor) and/or Relay outputs (up to four per silo), Material and Empty Space Colors, and External Silo Colors for 3D image.
VOLUME/WEIGHT
CALCULATIONS
Material volume and weight can be calculated and displayed if desired.
SiloTrack Inventory Management Software offers you the ability to display
volume/weight calculations based upon either geometric calculation using
the silo type, dimensions and bulk density information you have entered,
or based upon the data you enter in the Curve Fit Weight Table. The weight
table allows you to enter up to 100 data pairs, each consisting of a distance
measurement and a corresponding weight value. Actual distance measurements
between data points will result in a weight value displayed based upon
a standard curve fitting equation. The Curve Fit Weight Table is a tool
you can utilize if you wish to improve the precision of the weight calculation.
DATA
REPORT GENERATION/EXPORTING SiloTrack Inventory
Management Software can generate standard reports for
Measurements (silo history, silo last measurement, page
summary and all summary) and Sensor Diagnostics (Server
software only), which can be scheduled for transmission
via email or fax automatically. This feature can be used
to notify material suppliers of a replenishment need
or to provide management with necessary information reports
automatically at scheduled times or intervals.
Each
user can export silo history data or alarm data into any
one of several available formats. This
allows you to save data files for
further manipulation and analysis.
In
addition, the silo history or alarm data can be viewed
in chart form. A selected date range is entered and the
silo measurement data (display default) is charted. The
history data chart can be printed and the data tabulated
in a report and exported and printed.
REMOTE INVENTORY MONITORING ?The SiloTrack Inventory Monitoring Client Software can be setup to access silo data from one or multiple SiloTrack Server locations via direct dial-up, LAN or Internet/WAN connections. This allows remote location applications to be implemented including vendor managed inventory, remote corporate access, and bulk transport monitoring and scheduling. This improves communication and can eliminate downtime and out-of-material conditions. The Set-Up Wizard in the Client software can be used to create new pages, set-up communications with the Server PC, set-up password security, determine how to receive measurement updates, and select the desired silos to monitor.
In addition, alarm alerts can automatically notify remote users or suppliers of material level via email and fax. Reports can also be automatically generated and sent.
Remote Access System Security
Access
to the SiloTrack™ Server
software database is controlled by establishing a unique
user name and password for each Client. A virtually unlimited
number of individual Client/users can be established. User
groups can also be setup.
Each
client can be restricted to have access to a limited subset
of the total number of silos connected to the SiloTrack
Server system. Each Client can also be restricted to “read-only” or
can be allowed to manually initiate measurements.
For
LAN/Internet/WAN applications, when requesting an update
or adding silos to the Client software, the Client can
be required to identify the name or IP address of the PC
which contains the SiloTrack Client software and transmit
that address along with the client’s unique user
name and password.
For
dial-up remote monitoring connections additional security
can be enabled by selecting the dial-back option. This
selection in the Server software requires entry of a phone
number that the SiloTrack Server software PC will call
in response to the dial-up request. This provides added
security to ensure that only the target remote user will
receive the update.
Communication
between Client and Server software is further protected
by a 56-bit encryption algorithm.
Use of Volume/Weight Calculations
?The SiloPatrol® SE Model SMU and Flexar™ guided wave radar sensors make a direct measurement of the distance between the sensor and the material surface. This equipment does not measure the volume or weight of the material within the vessel. The SiloTrack™ software can perform calculations to display the volume and weight of the material. Volume calculations are based upon the distance measurement and the vessel dimensions entered by the user during set-up. Weight calculations can be based upon the distance measurement, the vessel dimensions and material bulk density. Alternatively, weight calculations can be based upon the distance measurement and a Curve Fit Weight Table described previously.
The distance measurement when material level is in the cone of the silo, is limited by the cable travel being stopped by contact with the material, contact with the empty cone section or the mechanical limit as determined by the length of cable supplied with the Model SMU sensor. SiloTrack™ Server software will provide the user notice of this condition when a distance measurement is made into the cone as determined by the vessel dimensions as entered by the user during setup.
NOTE: The calculated volume and weight values should be considered "estimates". Monitor Technologies LLC accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the calculated and displayed volume and weight values. The accuracy (not stated or warranted) of the volume/weight calculations are effected by the fluctuation and accuracy of various factors. These factors include, but may not be limited to, actual vessel dimensions, sensor mounting location, angle of repose (negative and positive), material bulk density, material flow properties (ratholes, bridging, etc.), material inlet/discharge locations, and material packing. Please consult the factory to discuss applications where volume/weight is of critical importance.
PC Recommended Requirements
Processor:
Pentium® IV
Bus:
PCI slots for RS-485 Communication Card(s) (one available slot required for up to 64 sensors / two available slots required for 65 to 128 sensors) or serial port used in conjunction with an RS-485 converter
Memory:
1 GB
Video:
SVGA with at least 4MB video memory
Hard Drive:
20 GB with 650 MB of available space
Operating System:
Windows® NT 4.0, 2000, Me or XP (consult factory for other operating systems)
Required Software:
Internet Explorer® 4.0 Service Pack 4 for Windows® NT
4.0 or greater
Required Hardware:
CD-ROM Drive, 56K Modem, Soundboard and Speakers (may be integrated on CPU board), LAN if Multiple User on LAN or WAN, Internet Connection (full time for remote multi-user), Ethernet Card (if used with LAN)
Highly Recommended:
UPS with AC Line Surge Suppression and Telephone Line Transient Suppression
Windows® and Internet Explorer® are registered trademarks
of the Microsoft Corporation
Pentium® is
a registered trademark of the Intel Corporation
Warranty
Monitor
Technologies LLC warrants the licensed software media to
be free from defects in workmanship and materials. For a
period of ninety (90) days from the date of installation
Monitor Technologies LLC will replace the software media
without charge if determined to be defective. The Purchaser
must give notice of any defect to Monitor Technologies LLC
within the warranty period, return the software product intact
and prepay transportation charges. The obligation of Monitor
Technologies LLC under this warranty is limited to the replacement
of the software media. This warranty shall not apply to any
product that is repaired or altered outside of Monitor Technologies
LLC factory, or which has been subject to misuse, negligence,
accident or incorrect installation. Monitor Technologies
LLC reserves the right to change the design and/or specifications
without prior notice.
343B.6.0407
Global Flour Processor Uses Flexar® Guided Wave Radar
A large global flour processor and food products company recently began using the Flexar® guided wave radar in a total of eighteen (18) silos and bins to manage their finished product inventory. Readings from these continuous level sensors is reported as being reliable and accurate, even during pneumatic filling, contrary to their previous measuring system. A previous non-performing ultrasonic system was replaced by the Flexar level sensors. Flexar guided wave radar level sensors were chosen as the best for pneumatically filled dust laden flour silos.
Eight (8) Flexar level sensors are installed in load-out silos that fill bulk trucks with processed and finished flour. These silos are 12ft in diameter and 35ft tall. The finished flour is pneumatically conveyed into these silos. During filling the internal environment of the silos is very dusty and turbulent. The finished flour in these silos is used for loading bulk transport trucks for distribution. In addition, ten (10) Flexar level sensors are installed in 40ft high bins that contain bran. This material is also sent by bulk transport to end users.
All of the Flexar level sensors are equipped with an RS485 digital communications output that is connected to a PC with a graphical user interface for inventory management purposes. Monitor’s SiloTrack™ inventory management software is used by the facility to monitor and manage material inventories of both the finished flour and the bran. SiloTrack allows for multiple user viewing and data access via LAN and this is how the facility will be using the software that provides a flexible, graphical user interface, alarms, report generation and history analysis functions.
Guided wave radar is especially well suited to level measurement applications of dusty powder materials even when measuring during pneumatic filling. Flexar guided wave radar utilizes TDR (time domain reflectometry) technology. Radar pulses are continuously transmitted down the sensor’s probe and guided to the material surface where they are reflected back to the electronics along the wave guide. The time-of-flight of the pulses is measured and directly related to the distance to the material surface and its level.
Each alarm can be set so that specific actions are taken
when alarm conditions exist. Alarm notifications can be sent to: up to two e-mail addresses(or Text messages to cell phones), up to two fax numbers, and up to two pager numbers.
SILO
SETUP
VOLUME/WEIGHT
CALCULATIONS
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