Sometimes, the creative solutions we seek are in the places where we least expect them: in areas outside of our current realms of experience and expertise. Previous issues of this magazine are full of examples of technology that transfers from entertainment to applications in medical or other seemingly unrelated industries, and vice-versa.
Looking at the applications of the A5:M2 electronic control provides several examples of why looking in areas outside of our comfort zones may be the best place to find the technology needed.
The A5 M2 control is based on the ADEM platform, which was originally designed for controlling engines, transmissions, and/or electro-hydraulic systems in a range of off-highway equipment manufactured by Caterpillar Inc (Peoria, IL), so it was proven reliable in multiple, rugged applications. Then, engineers at the company transferred the technology to other applications that include waste and recycling trucks, fire and rescue vehicles, oil and gas equipment, agricultural equipment and implements, lift equipment, and rail installations. Now, the company is considering applications in entertainment industries: ski lift drives, theme park rides, and aerial lift platforms used for positioning cameras on movie locations.
Caterpillar engineers consider the A5:M2 control to be an electro-hydraulic system and transmission control. The control uses the same 70-pin Cat connector as previous generations, but now it is available to systems integrators and others with needs for greater configuration flexibility.
Available outputs of the A5:M2 include eight, 2-amp proportional high-side/low-side driver pairs and four, 2 amp low-side drivers, both of which provide better hardware diagnostics. There are also two, 5 V/8 V programmable sensor power supplies.
Inputs include a key switch; six configurable SWG/SWB; six PWM frequency/SWG; four differential frequency/PWM; and eight active/passive analog inputs. Traditionally. . .to read the rest of the story, click here.
Websites to visit:
Cat Electronics
Cat OEM Solutions
Technology Licensing
Contact Caterpillar
