About BWI Eagle
BWI Eagle History
BWI Eagle was established in March 1988 in Butler, PA, to capitalize upon newly available technology. The founders believed the new tech could be used to develop an improved conveyor-belt speed switch to increase safety and productivity in coal mines. The speed switches utilized a non-contacting sensor that “watched” conveyors like an eagle, so the devices were branded Eagle conveyor-belt speed switches.
To support the company’s growth, the founders partnered with Butler Winding, Inc., a manufacturer of transformers. In exchange for working capital and resources for the fledgling Eagle upstart, Butler Winding Inc. (BWI) acquired partial ownership in Eagle. The company was renamed BWI Eagle.
The development of BWI Eagle’s spread spectrum wireless industrial remote controls in 1994 expanded the company from coal mining to broader industrial markets. In 2023, BWI Eagle was acquired by Cattron, a global leader in control solutions. BWI Eagle products fit naturally with Cattron’s industrial remote control portfolio. The combined portfolio creates a highly flexible and advanced offering.
BWI Eagle Applications
Today, the flexible nature of BWI Eagle wireless remote controls enables a BWI Eagle system to control any device that can be turned on and off or moved. They have been used to control doors, barriers and gates, crushers, screeners, shredders, fountains, industrial fans, lighting, scoreboards, winches, valves, and countless other equipment and machine types. With custom programming available, BWI Eagle systems can be tailored to nearly any application.
Some unique applications include:
- Triggering a net to safely trap eagles who were making their home on a busy airport runway
- Operating saws on a helicopter tree trimmer for power lines
- Operating church bells
- Activate a special effects Miller Lite sign at a ballpark when someone hits a home run
- Control moving targets at a long-distance shooting range
- Operate signal tones for trainers to communicate with underwater animals at a famous wildlife amusement park
- Control alarms to scare birds off buildings in urban areas
BWI Eagle Products
Industrial Wireless Remote Controls
Capable of operating up to ten miles away, BWI Eagle industrial remote controls can operate electrical equipment or machinery with wireless relays activated by handheld transmitters or stationery, dry contact and voltage input transmitters. Multi-channel receivers provide flexibility for numerous functions, and user-selectable network frequencies allow many systems to operate in the same vicinity without interference. Customizable relay operation means you can fit the action to your application for precise control.
Wireless Emergency Stops and Machine Stops
Wireless e-stops enable workers to intervene and take immediate action, especially when a fixed e-stop is out of reach. The lightweight wireless e-stop can be carried or worn on a belt or mounted in a vehicle to provide instant access all day from anywhere within range.
Speed Switches and Sensors
BWI Eagle digital speed switches and non-contacting proximity sensors monitor the speed and motion of any rotating apparatus. Systems provide premium protection of expensive conveyor belting and other equipment with panel, DIN-rail or standalone NEMA-rated speed switches that are easy to install and operate.
Specialty Controls
Unique applications require a specialized approach to ensuring safe and efficient operation. BWI Eagle put its experience and expertise to the test by creating a variety of specialty controls. These include wireless dozer stop switch systems, dust suppression systems, a stitt tester to measure ground circuit resistance and a slip switch tester for conveyor systems.