Automated silo system

The operation of this old silo plant always involved a lot of effort. The material first had to be filled and then transported to the correct cell via a complex system of distributors, elevators and a rotary pipe distributor. Effort that was to be minimized by using Loxone.

In the past, the rotary pipe distributor always had to be placed manually on the correct cell using a rope hoist, but its position indicator was not always reliable. Thanks to automation with Loxone, the pipe moves automatically to the correct cell. This was implemented using small toggle switches on the outer edge of the cells. A plate welded to the rotary pipe triggers these contacts as the cells pass and, thanks to the use of the Radiotasten module, knows when it is over the correct cell, stops and starts the filling process. If the distributor is then sent to the next cell, it chooses the shortest possible path. In the process, of course, it keeps an eye on the fill level and stops at exactly the right time. This eliminates the need for time-consuming calculations of the fill level.



An emergency button that stops the entire plant and an inspection switch were also implemented with Loxone. The 85-year-old silo plant is thus fully automated and can even be controlled from home.