Master control units

The particularity of the Longwall Control Center is its capability to show the complete longwall face situation graphically via the 4 graphic modules. You thus have a complete mimetic image of the face on which all faults occurring can be represented.
The great complexity of the system permits, in addition to being controllable from the surface, also a completely autonomous operation underground where operating comfort is ensured by the graphical user interface. This comfortable user interface permits to set/change parameters, as well as to change configurations direct at the place of installation.
The intrinsically safe Longwall Control Center (iLCC) collects data from the face, evaluates them and transmits the values to the visualization computer at the surface. Data measured are sensor values and the operating status. Furthermore, the Longwall Control Center receives data and control commands from the surface visualization computer via modem, TTY interface, or light wave and passes them on to the control units on the face.
The iLCC makes different interfaces for communication with external systems available.
It can be installed either at one or both intersections between face and entry.

The MCU-3S is a particularly compact master control unit. The basic idea behind this development is to offer a cost-effective product which is primarily intended to be used as retrofit component.
Longwall operators often have systems installed that are already equipped with underground visualization computers. When upgrading the system and keeping the visualization unit the use of an iLCC would not be necessary.
The equipment package of the MCU-3S is thus reduced to the pure control and communication tasks of the unit and does not include any graphical processing of the data.