Futura EG2 User manual

EG2
Machine Control System

Page 1
Table of Contents
System Description .......................................................................................1
System Components .....................................................................................2
Control Box Controls and Connections .........................................................3 - 4
Menu Instructions & Display Screens ............................................................5 - 9
Valve Set-up ..................................................................................................7 - 10
System Options .............................................................................................11
System Installation .......................................................................................12
Cable and Wiring Installation .......................................................................12 - 14
System Description
The EconoGrade Machine Control Systems were designed to let you achieve maximum control of
your grading system, at an economical price. The four congurations of the EG Series are versa-
tile and can be installed on a number of machines including box blades, box scrapers, graders,
mini-graders and skid steers. The system controls most valve packages, giving the user both LED
and a real-time LCD display so you are always in touch with the blade position. The EG Series Re-
ceiver can detect any rotating red beam laser within its 173mm (7”) capture range, and in turn indi-
cates the blade’s position to within a 2mm (5/64”) accuracy. The receiver has LED indicator lights
that give the same output as the control box LED indicators. So whether you’re standing on the eld,
or driving the machine you’ll always know where your blade needs to be. The control box allows the
user to congure the display to indicated variances from the on grade position in real time. The re-
ceiver is able to attach to a 45mm (1 3/4”) standard pipe. The complete system requires 10 - 30vdc
to operate. The valve drives are rated for 5 Amps.

System Components
Control Box P# CB-EG2 (F)
Slope Sensor P# BS-10(F)
Optional Telescoping
Mechanical Mast
P# EG-Mast(F)
Power Cable
P# 102198
Valve cable
P# 102196
Com. Node Cable
P# 102765
Receiver
P# RC-EG1(F)
Control System
Cable Set
Page 2
Receiver cable
P# 102440

5) Left Auto/Manual button -
8) Right Auto/Manual button - These buttons switch the EG Series system between automatic and
manual control modes. The right switch controls both the left and right sides together and the left
switch controls just the left. This conguration allows a method of controlling both sides together as
well as individually.
Page 3
6. 7.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
10.
8.
9.
11.
12.
13.
EG Series Control Box
Controls
(fig 1)
2) Menu Button - These keys are used to step through the menus to setup all of the controls in the
system. The menu ow can only cycle through in one direction, if you go past a menu step it can’t
go back. Pressing either of the A/M keys is a shortcut back to the main screen, a quick way to start
over.
1) Left On-grade Offset -
12) Right On-grade Offset - These knobs control the offset of the on-grade of each receiver. They
allow the operator to move the on-grade position of each receiver up or down by 54mm (2.13 inches)
3 )Left Valve Raise/Lower Switch -
10 )Right Valve Raise/Lower Switch - These switches are used for manual control and allow the op-
erator to raise and lower each hydraulic circuit on the machine. These switches also act as a control
in the menu and are used to change parameters in the menu display.
4) Auto/Manual Indicator -
9) Auto/Manual Indicator - These indicators display when the system is in the automatic mode, if
the light is on, the systems control is active.

4. Power Cable Connector - Battery power is routed to the system via this cable connection.
Page 4
6) Left LED Grade Display -
7) Right LED Grade Display - These LED’s display whether you are above grade, below grade or
on grade. The red arrows tell the user which direction the blade must move to achieve grade, while
the single up or down red LED will ash when the receiver is within 10mm (0.39”) of the desired
grade. The green LED’s in the middle will ash when you are within your desired ‘on grade’.
11) Power On/Off switch - Press the power button briey to turn the control box on. The button
must be pushed and held for approximately two seconds to turn the system off. This button is also
used as a soft key providing the function indicated in the display directly above it.
1. Valve Cable Connector - This is where the valve cable is connected to the control box.
2. Remote Switch Connector - The remote auto/raise/lower switch assembly plugs into the control
box via this connector.
3. Communication Connector - Receiver and Sensors plug into the node cable, and their signals
are transferred to the control box via this 4 pin connector.
1. 2. 3. 4.
13) LCD Display - A 2 x 16 dot matrix display for easy visibility in bright and dark environments.

Manual
Manual Manual
Manual Manual
20mm -0mm-
4mm 0.5%
10mm 10mm
Page 5
EG Series Control Box
Display Screens and Menus
Main Operating Screens
Single Receiver
Single Receiver with Slope
Dual Receiver
Splash Screen -The EG Series has many menu screens for
setting the system parameters. The rst to show up after pow-
er up is the splash screen displaying system type and version.
The version and version date may change as features and
program modications are implemented.
The Main Control Screen: This is the rst screen displayed
after the 10 second start up routine is complete. The control
screen will look different depending on how the system setup
is congured. The three main congurations are shown here.
Single Receiver Control - The upper left reading is the real
time position of the laser beam on the receiver in metric or
imperial depending on the units conguration. The upper right
is the receiver on-grade offset entered in via the right offset
adjust knob.
Single Receiver with Slope Control - The upper left shows
the receiver on-grade offset, which can be entered by the left
offset adjust knob. The upper right displays the desired slope,
this value is entered by the right offset knob.
Dual Receiver Control - The upper left and right display are
the receiver on-grade offset values. They are adjusted via the
adjustment knobs. The left knob adjusts the left offset and
right knob adjusts the right offset. We can also temporarily
link the left and right offset together. This is accomplished
by pressing the power button once. An X will be displayed
between the two offset values. While the X is present, the
right offset knob will adjust both the left and right offset values
together. The X will disappear 5 seconds after the value has
been entered.
Slope Indicate / Control -
If the system has the slope option and the slope option is
enabled, pressing the menu button once will display the slope
indicate / control screen. Here the real-time slope is in the
upper left side of the display and the direction is shown by a
thick direction arrow. The desired slope is in the upper right
hand side of the display and the direction is shown by a thin
direction arrow. The desired slope is entered via the right off
set knob while this screen is active. The system will remain in
this slope screen until either the return or next key is pressed.
The return key returns you to the main control screen and the
next key will continue to the menu screens.
ver 9 27 Jan 2020
EG-2e Control
Return Next
0.5% 0.5%
Manual Manual
10mm X 10mm
Slope Indicate / Control

System Lockout Screen - When entering the menu screens,
if there is a lockout code enabled this screen will appear. You
must enter the system password to be able to go any further
into the menu screens. If this option is not needed it may be
disabled in the installation menu. Password is factory set to
1000
Filtering - Changing the ltering rate can help to cure any
jumpy behaviour of the receiver. The best setting is the fastest
setting with the least amount of interruptions.
Laser Receiver Deadband - Is the amount of allowable on-
grade tolerance. The range is 1mm to 30mm at 1mm steps.
When the receiver is receiving the laser light in the on-grade
position, the valves will not activate until the deadband range
is passed. If the on-grade deadband is set to 10mm, the
valves will not be activated until the receiver readings are be-
yond 5mm in either direction.
Horn - Sets the function of the internal beeper. Off: disables
the internal beeper. Alert: sets the beeper to grade alarm
mode. When in automatic, if there is no on-grade indication for
6 seconds the alarm will sound. Indicate: sets the beeper to
indicate mode, where the beeper will act as a detector. If the
beam is too high you get a double beep, too low a single beep
and on grade a solid beep.
Height Adjustment - By setting the height adjustment op-
tion to “ON”, the off-set knob is enabled and the user has the
ability to have an adjustable ‘on grade’ which is displayed on
the LCD. If the Height adjustment is off or Height set to “0”,
the off-set knob is disabled and the ‘Real Time’ blade position
is displayed on the LCD.
Unit selection - Sets for 3 different units: Millimeters, Inches
(decimal inches) or Feet (10th of a foot).
Latec Info Screen - The nal screen in the menu displays
manufacturer info: name and phone number. Outside of North
America, dial +01.519.235.4585.
Note:
To access the Installation Menu , press the Menu
and Power button in UNISON while the LATEC info
screen is displayed.
-> Return
Filtering Next
20mm grade Next
Next
Next
Change Next
5192354585 Next
Pass |EFFF| 0000
FAST -I- - - - Slow
Lsr Rec. deadbnd
Horn Off
Height Adj ON
Use millimeters
LATEC Instr. Inc
Page 6

Valve Settings
Valve1 Types (Left Side) - EG Series can control proportional
time (‘bang-bang’) valves, proportional valves with integrated
electronics (Danfoss), Selective Control Valve (SCV) and propor-
tional current (variable ow) valves. There are three Proportional
current settings: 50 Hz., 100 Hz., and 200 Hz.; Consult the valve
manufacturer to nd the proper type and dither frequency for your
valve.
In Proportional Time mode, the EG Series valve output is an on/
off voltage, high current output; the output voltage will, during the
valve on time, be equal to the DC input supply.
In Proportional Current mode, the EG Series valve output is a
pulse-width-modulated, high current output; the output voltage
will, during the valve on time, be equal to the DC input supply.
The Danfoss setting, as well as producing the low power an-
alogue control signal for the valve, also drives both of the high
current valve outputs. One of those high current outputs can
supply power to the Danfoss valve, and the other can operate the
hydraulic system loading valve as recommended by the manu-
facturer.
Valve Control Direction can be changed to alleviate the need
to change wiring or hydraulic plumbing. To enter Valve Direction
menu, press the Menu and Power Button in Unison, then press
the Menu button to switch between Normal and Inverted
Proportional Time Valve Settings:
CAUTION: THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL OPERATE THE
HYDRAULIC VALVE. BE CAREFUL WITH THEIR USE! MAKE
SURE YOUR AREA IS CLEAR.
If your valve has been set to either proportional current or Danfoss, go to Mini-
mum DC setting on next page. Proportional time continues below.
Minimum Pulse Width - The EG Series needs information
about the hydraulic system on your machine, as all hydraulic
systems are not the same. Here we are telling the system the
signal needed to move the cylinder at its slowest speed. Press-
ing the Menu (Test) button will enter you in to this routine. Your
hydraulics will begin to move. Use the right raise/lower switch
to increase or decrease the signal to the valve until you get a
blade movement of approximately 0.5 inches per second. Press
the menu button to change the direction, then adjust the cylin-
der speed for the opposite direction. When the cylinder speed
is OK then press the power button (Stop) and these values will
be stored. There may be a need to enter different values for Up
and Down to balance the over all minimum speed. This is due to
gravity helping in the downward direction and the volume differ-
ences in the cylinder, from the cap end to rod end.
Prop time Next
Prop Curr Next
Danfoss Next
Test Next
Chg Dir Stop
Chg Dir Stop
Valve1 type
Valve1 type 100Hz
Valve1 type
Minimum PW 80ms
Up PlsWdth 35ms
Down PW 25ms
Page 7
Normal Next
Valve Direction:

Note: that either the “Stop” button, or the Power button
will turn off the valve drive, and return you to the Minimum
PW window. Also, the valve will shut off automatically
after 20 seconds without any buttons being pushed.
Valve Cycle Time - This screen will only be displayed as part
of the Proportional Time valve setup. This menu function sets
how often the valve pulses are sent to the hydraulic valve,
called hits per second. The range is 1 - 15 hits per second and
unit is in milliseconds, to calculate the hits per second divide
1000 by the milliseconds. eg.1000 / 250 ms = 4 hits per-sec-
ond. The lower the number the more hits per-second. For
most hydraulic systems, starting at 150 ms is a good place to
start. The faster you can hit the valve the smoother it will seem
to respond, the valve response will differ from valve to valve.
Playing with this setting will show you your valve’s limitations.
Proportional Current and Danfoss Valve Settings:
Proportional Time users proceed to the Valve Gain screen.
Minimum DC Pulse Width - This screen changes slightly
when the Proportional Current and Danfoss valves are select-
ed. It’s functions and procedures are exactly the same as the
Proportional Time routine except the units are in percent.
Note that either the “Stop” button, or the Power button will
turn off the valve drive, and return you to the Minimum PW
window. Also, the valve will shut off automatically after 20
seconds without any buttons being pushed.
All Valves Types:
Valve Gain - The span of error between the onset of valve
operation and the point at which the valve is fully on is deter-
mined by the valve gain setting. In this case, the units dis-
played (percentage) are arbitrary. The higher the number the
more aggressive the hydraulic system. With the gain set to
100%, the slightest error will fully open the appropriate valve.
This setting should be left at 50% until after the Minimum Pulse
width has been set and the hydraulics tested to see in which
direction you would like to adjust this setting. Conversely the
lower the number the less aggressive the hydraulic system will
be.
Test Next
Chg Dir Stop
Chg Dir Stop
50% Next
250ms Next
Minimum DC 35%
Down PlsDC 20%
Up PulseDC 35%
Valve 1 gain
Valve cycle time
Page 8

Derivative Gain - To stabilize some machine control applica-
tions, it is necessary for the control box to know not only whether
the machine is at the desired slope or not, but how fast the slope
is changing and in what direction. This is known variously as
velocity or derivative (dv/dt) feedback. The control box can vary
the amount of velocity feedback added; choose among: “High”
“Medium” “Low” or “Off” This setting is to be left at medium for
almost all installations.
Auto Return - Is the time duration that it takes for the valve
to return the blade to the on-grade range after being manually
driven away from the laser light using the raise/lower switch. The
options available are in increments of 0.5 seconds with a range
from 0 (off) to 7.5 seconds. After the set time is expired, the unit
will move toward the last laser hit that it received. To disable this
feature set the time to 0.
Tilt Sensing On/Off - This is where you turn slope sensing on If
your system has the optional slope sensor feature. If Tilt Sensing
is set to Off the next menu will be Factory Settings.
Sensor Forward - For exibility in the sensor mount process,
the forward axis selection can orient the sensor after it is already
mounted. The label on top of the sensor shows a number for
each quadrant, enter the number that is facing the forward direc-
tion of travel. This will orient the sensor axis. In the bottom left
corner, the real-time slope is displayed, this will help in mechan-
ically adjusting the sensor to zero (level) after making sure the
control surface is level before calibrating.
Sensor Calibration - To ensure the sensor will produce relevant
readings, it must rst be calibrated. Ensure the sensor is enabled
in the Tilt Sensing On menu. Mount the sensor on the blade
using the LED indicators on the Control Box to level it. The sen-
sor should be secured in place where the on-grade green LEDs
are lit. Then, lower the blade on to a level or near-level surface,
and press the Menu button (Cal. A soft key). The screen will now
change to Position 2. While remaining in this screen, turn the
machine 180 degrees and lower the blade on the same loca-
tion as Position 1. Press the Menu button (Cal. B soft key) and if
successful, the screen will display the offset. The sensor is now
calibrated. If an error message occurs, it means the sensor was
not mounted close enough to level. Adjust the sensor to level and
restart the calibration procedure.
Filtering - Changing the ltering rate mathematically changes
the sensors viscosity. The slower the ltering setting the thicker
the sensor uid will appear. Depending on the machine and the
type of work, there will be a need to speed up or slow down the
sensor.
Medium Next
Change Next
Change Next
1.2% Next
Derivative gain
Auto Return Off
Tilt Sensing On
Sensor 3 Forward
Filtering Next
FAST - - I---Slow
Page 9
Cal.A Skip
Positn.1 0.2%
Cal.B Cancel
Positn.2 0.3%
Next
Offset = 1.2%