Tech File: Scantrol’s mTrack AHC Controller

Scantrol’s mTrack AHC Controller, combined with Bosch Rexroth Secondary Controls, is designed to ensure smooth and safe operation for TravOcean’s new 15-ton cable laying winch. This winch is used to lay wind turbine power cables on the seabed. “We need Active Heave Compensation (AHC) to have smooth operation and not to damage the cable during landing. The function increases the weather window and reduces the weather standby, making the process more efficient, with less downtime in challenging conditions,” said Thomas Vannier, Technical Support Manager at the French submarine cable installation company, TravOcean.

"Our first task was to configure mTrack for our specific application and integrate it into our winch control system,” says Vannier. "The software engineers had prepared by attending Scantrol’ 's online training, and with just a day of online support during sea trials, they could get the system ready for work. We did sea trials with ± 2 meters of movement on the sheave. We put a load on the hook of the winch and launched it 10 centimeters above the sea floor. We monitored this with the ROV, and the load did not move. It was great to see this performance, and we are pleased with the