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A radar aimed successfully during commissioning can lose that position during later roof work. Silo radar alignment needs an as-left mechanical record as well as saved electronic settings. A parameter backup cannot reconstruct an antenna direction that was never documented.
Choose the target region before adjusting the bracket
Mark the inlet, outlet, roof structure and expected filling peak on plan and section views. Decide whether the measurement is intended to indicate local clearance, operating level or an inventory trend. Aiming at a convenient surface does not make that surface representative of the whole silo.
For an MV-RD21 bulk-solids installation, plot the nominal 3-degree beam from the 76 mm PTFE lens assembly on the silo section. METRAVON's model data describe a beam that widens with distance, not a parallel-sided measurement path. Review walls and braces through the operating range rather than checking only the upper material surface.
Silo radar alignment records that survive maintenance
| Item | What to retain |
|---|---|
| Roof position | Connection location relative to permanent, identifiable structural features. |
| Aiming direction | Approved angle and orientation referenced to the silo, not an unlabelled photograph. |
| Fixing arrangement | Specified hardware and locking method for the selected support. |
| Test condition | Material profile, filling or discharge state and observed target when alignment was accepted. |
Recheck after the final mechanical adjustment
Use only the supported aiming arrangement and tightening procedure. Do not loosen a process-sealing joint to create an improvised tilt. Once the position is secured, repeat the available measurement checks; the final locked position is the one that matters for handover.
Observe filling and discharge where safe and practicable. A direction that avoids the filling stream at one level may intersect a moving peak or structural reflection later. Record unobserved conditions and avoid compensating for a poor measuring location with an arbitrary level offset.
After maintenance disturbs the bracket, compare its position with the as-left record before restoring old settings. Note any replacement adapter or support dimension that changes the distance origin as well as the direction.
Q1. Should the radar always point at the silo centre?
No universal centre rule applies. The inlet, material profile, structures and required quantity determine the useful target region. Assess the actual roof and operating cycle.
Q2. Can a wall-side tape reading be used to correct the radar offset?
Not without establishing that both observations refer to the same surface elevation. A sloping pile can create a genuine height difference between those locations.
Summary
Preserve the physical aiming setup that produced the accepted result. Provide the silo roof plan, material profile and proposed support for an MV-RD21 alignment review.
