questions & answers eran perlstein, customer support director

Questions & Answers

Eran Perlstein, Customer Support Director

Q&A – Scanner Behavior

Q: Distance measurements are correct but volume is not what it should be

A:1. Check that that the Full and Empty calibration levels

configured in the scanner are the same as configured in the customer’s PLC

2. Check that silo dimensions are correct

May 2011 APM Annual International Partners Conference 2

Q&A – Scanner Behavior (2)

Q: The displayed distance is incorrectFor example, scanner is showing distance of 3m when manual dipping measured is 7m

A: 1. Check in the vessel that there is no obstacle or internal

structure that might cause a false echo2. Analyze the grades, and see if there is an echo at distance

of 3m– (Note that the grades show the R distance to the material or structure)

3. If there is an echo at 3m, map it manually with false echo mapping

4. If there is no echo at 3m, increase the rates (in this case emptying rate) or reset the 3DLevelScanner and see if measurements change



Q: There is a difference between displayed distance measurement and hand measurements

A: 1. Verify distance measurements to material from several positions

in the silo’s top 2. Verify measurements are on the same level of the scanner

topmost position3. Measurements should be between the minimum and maximum

measured values displayed in the Manager4. Solid materials have no flat surface and it could be that the level

on one side is higher than on the other side5. See how big is the difference, in manual dipping there can always

be differences simply because of the hand holding the measuring device

6. Measurement should start from the scanner’s flange



Q: Measurements are correct but Mass calculation is incorrect

A: 1. Check Density value2. Due to material compaction, it is possible that on

different material level there will be mass differences, a Linearization table should be inserted manually



Q: Instabilities in measurement when there is no activityA: 1. Check the level of instability. If volume is changing up

to 3%, this is within the accuracy range declared by APM

2. If the measurement changes are higher than 3% analyze grades and see if there is an echo at the upper part of the silo (and map it out with false echoes)

3. Reduce filling\emptying rates4. Open log file and check the behavior history of the

material5. Analyze SNR, Distance and Volume



Q: Scanner is generating 5mA at the output, but the PLC is receiving a different value

A: 1. Run current simulation test2. Generate output current of 4,10,15,20 mA3. Measure the output with ammeter and on the PLC4. If the current at the PLC is different than the

simulated current, the customer needs to check the wiring and connections and to see that the PLC is configured properly



Q: Grades energy levels are very lowA:1.Verify that the material density is above the

minimal recommended value2. In many cases, where the SNR shows high

levels and the Grades are low, it can be indication that the horns are blocked with material and need to be cleaned



Q: Volume is increasing rapidly to 100% when filling process has just started

A: 1.Analyze the grades and check for strong echo

generated from the filling stream close to the scanner

2.A combination of high rates and very low SNR can cause a rapid increase of the volume after filling has stopped



Q: Scanner is showing Volume reading which is less than 100% but output current is 20mA

A:1.Check that the cable from the transducer’s case

is connected properly to the scanner’s head and that there are no loose wires

2. If the scanner firmware was upgraded, it must be reset to factory defaults and reconfigured manually



Q: What data is processed in the scanners and what is processed within the application software?

A:1.The 3DLevelScanner processes all data inside

its processor2.The 3DLevelManager only displays the data

received from the scanner and with MV scanners it also converts it into a 3D image



Q: What obstructions within silo/tank are acceptable?A:1.When internal structure inside the silo obstructs

the scanner’s transmission it might reflect a false echo

2. It is recommended to install the scanner below any obstruction in the silo using the neck extension or the Head-Body separation

3. In general a flat surface will reflect better than other shapes, if the internal structure is round and not bigger then 2.5cm (1”) it might not have much influence



Q: M & MV Differences – Processing of echo returns – Will MV scanner process echo returns of product build-up on side walls and M scanner not?

A:1.Both M and MV models function the same way,

the only difference is with the activation of the 3D image

2.Trained personnel can use the image and measurements from the scanner to understand if the readings are from a material build-up



Q: Non standard silo structuresA:1. The 3DLevelScanner supports several silo types

and structures2. When dealing with non standard constructions, it is

recommended to consult with APM 3. A suggested solution for a non standard bottom

shape (such as pant legs – two bottom cones) can be to put the empty calibration above the cones

4. Another solution is by using a linearization table to use the level measurements for Mass calculations



Q: Grades AnalysisA:1. The grades analysis is carried out to understand the

returned echoes inside the vessel2. X axis represents the distance to the echo3. Y axis represents a combination of calculated

parameters, summed into a Grade number4. The grades values are determined per analysis and are

different based on the silo dimensions and material5. Grades should be viewed separately from other

analyses6. In each analysis the grades are in ratio between echoes



Q: Outdoors functionalityA:1. When mounting the scanner above stock piles or open

bins it is important to take into consideration the wind factor and mounting construction (movements)

2. Maximal wind speed that will not influence the scanner’s measurements is 30 km/h or 8.33 m/s (18.65 miles per hour)



Q: What is the Maximal pressure inside the silo and near the 3DLevelScanner?

A:

• The 3DLevelScanner can stand up to a maximal pressure of up to 3 bar



Q: Model Upgrade

A: 1. It is possible to upgrade scanners from Model

S to M or MV, and from Model M to MV

2. It is not possible to upgrade a scanner to MVL unit



Q: MaintenanceA: 1. The 3DLevelScanner requires less maintenance than

other products in the market2. Some materials require more frequent maintenance

than others, such as sugar, calcium carbonate, citric acid

3. Material build-up affects the scanner behavior and can in most cases be verified by high SNR and low grades (in compare to old grades)

4. The internal part of the horns can be cleaned by using a dry cloth or a brush and not with other devices that might damage the membrane



Q: Behavior during fillingA: 1. The 3DLevelScanner should be installed in a

location where the filling stream and/or noise will not interfere with the measurements

2. In case the Scanner “sees” the filling stream – has a strong echo from the material stream, or the noise levels are very high, it might influence the reading, in such cases consider relocating the scanner

3. It is recommended to further analyze the echoes using Grades analysis


Q&A – 3DLevelManager (2)

Q: Customer is complaining about a wrong imageA: 1.Confirm that the device position is correct and

that it is facing the center of the vessel 2.Confirm the vessel’s dimensions3.Verify that filling and emptying points are set

correctly4. In advanced configuration, uncheck

extrapolation5.Check steepest material slope



Q: Why After disconnection is there still “traffic load”?

A: • Traffic indication is only a matter of display, once

the scanner is disconnected, the traffic stops



Q: When I am disconnecting the scanner from the Manager, will the LinkPro be disconnected immediately? (no GSM traffic)

A: • When closing the Manager or pressing

Disconnect, the communication stops immediately, the 3DLinkPro is waiting for a timeout until it closes its connection



Q: Comparing the max/min/average in the Visual Mapping and in the 3DLevel Manager are not identical

A: 1.Visual mapping takes longer to update. 2.It can very well happen that you will see

different numbers between Manager display and 3D image display.

3.On average it might take up to 2 minutes for the figures in the image and the manager to be the same


Q&A – 3DVision

Q: How does the 3DVision Server-Client SW work?A: 1. 3DVision Server is a management process connected to all

vessels in various methods – RS-485, TCP/IP, HART2. 3DVision Server addresses each vessel and each scanner

separately and collects all data, including measurements, 3D images, communication information and more

3. 3DVision Client is a GUI (Graphic User Interface) running on any computer in the Local Area Network (LAN)

4. 3DVision Client is connected to a 3DVision Server to present the required info

5. 3DVision Client is updated with new measurements based on the connection to the Server, the number of vessels and the computes’ characteristics


Q&A – 3DVision (2)

Q: What is the difference between 3DVision and 3DMultiVision?

A:

• The 3DVision is limited to a single Site managing a single Vessel with number of scanners inside the vessel – Multi Scanner System - MVL


questions & answers eran perlstein, customer support director

Documents

qa scanner behavior

scanner firmware

distance measurements

scanner topmost position

behavior history

displayed distance measurement

different material level

check density value