Koso/M-mac Actuators chosen for diverter chute operation. The optional in-cylinder transducer available with M-mac actuators, provides a coal mine in Alberta, Canada with the ability to monitor and regulate the position of 18 Diversion Chutes in its grading mill.

The maintenance superintendent says there is a great advantage to be able to see at an instance, through their DCS, the exact position of each diverter so that restrictions in the system are easily identified .Koso/M-mac was the only self contained Electric Actuator available with this feature, capable of standing up to the severely rugged environment.

Koso/M-mac selected an M20-18 actuator for the application. This has a 2inch bore, a stroke length of 18inches and capable of 7,800lbs of thrust, but maximum thrust was restricted to 5000lbs push and pull through adjustable pressure control valves built into the device. Rod velocity in push and pull direction is 2inches per second. Power to the actuator is through a 1hp, 3ph, 60 Hz motor operating at 460Vac. Its in-cylinder transducer is a non-contact magneto-strictive type having an output of 4-20ma for PID positioning.

The M-mac PID positioner driving the actuators, responds to a 4-20mA or 0-10Vac control signal. It can also be used as a local switching device, (latching or momentary), or as a remote open-close switching device.

Operating parameters are programmed into an on-board PID controller and variable frequency drive -at the factory, according to the customer specifications.