BARGE LOADING / UNLOADING POSITIONING SYSTEM CONTROLS

Matrix Industrial Systems provided all hardware and PLC programming for a barge positioning system used for loading and unloading barges without assistance from a tugboat. The control system included 2 VFD’s, one controlling a winch on the bow of the barge, the other on the stern. Our control system adjusted tension on both winches to balance and position the barge as directed by the operator loading the vessel.

In addition, a remote, wireless joystick could be utilized by a clamshell operator to unload coal from the barge from his cab. The system was a AB ControlLogix platform with communication both on Ethernet as well as wireless radio frequency.