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Client
Ridder
Application
Motor drive control for greenhouse screens and ventilation
Zign’s role
Electronics, embedded software, industrialization & manufacturing
Highlights
Independent safety monitoring
Separate application and safety processors check the motor’s operation.
Simpler installation
Guided setup and transferable settings help installers configure similar drives.
Development through production
Electronics, embedded software, certification support and ongoing product supply.
Electronic control for agricultural drive systems
Ridder develops drive systems for greenhouse screens, windows and other agricultural equipment. SmartDrive replaces a mechanical control solution with electronic motor control, position sensing and a practical user interface.
Zign took responsibility for the electronic system from concept through industrialization and manufacturing, working alongside Ridder and its partners for the smartphone app and mechanical design.
Zign takes a proactive approach and communicates clearly. We work well together on technical details, planning and deliveries, and find practical solutions together. That keeps things moving and makes Zign a reliable partner.
Vincent Hoveling
Safe movement, straightforward installation
The drive must stop at the predefined position. A failure could damage the greenhouse or create a dangerous situation. The design therefore needed independent safety checks in both hardware and software.
Other requirements included fitting existing drive systems, meeting the target cost and making installation and configuration straightforward. The position sensor also had to retain the correct position when the drive was moved manually without power.
Developing the system around safety and usability
Zign defined the requirements and system architecture together with Ridder, then developed the motor module, custom position sensor and remote user interface module.
Independent safety checks
The motor module uses separate application and safety processors. The user interface module also uses two microcontrollers with separately developed software. Failure mode and effects analysis supported the design decisions, with IEC 60730 requirements guiding the safety work.
Practical installation and communication
The motor module’s display and controls guide the installer through setup. Settings can be transferred to similar installations through the smartphone app. Zign developed the communication interface between the motor and user interface modules.
Preparing for production
Field demonstrators helped Ridder gather feedback during development. Zign supported certification testing, reviewed the design for manufacturing, assembly and testing, and developed functional test equipment for the electronics.
From development to ongoing manufacturing
The completed design and production files enabled the transition to series manufacturing. SmartDrive combines electronic position control with independent safety monitoring and a guided setup process.
Zign continues to supply the products to Ridder, keeping the development knowledge connected to production and delivery.
