Linortek Netbell-2 Powers Automated Bell System for Pembina Curling Club
– Transforming Scheduling with Precision and Unmatched Flexibility
Discover the Game-Changer Behind the Bell System – A Quick Snapshot of the Upgrade That Transformed Scheduling at Pembina Curling Club
In the first week, staff were eager to see how this new system would tackle the club’s unique scheduling demands. They needed a product capable of coordinating shifting game times and maintaining a smooth flow, no matter how complex their league lineup might be.
- Effortless Scheduling: The automated bell system tackled tough scheduling challenges from day one.
- Adaptive Timing: It mastered shifting game times, keeping leagues perfectly in sync.
- Rapid Efficiency: A swift setup saved hours and transformed the club’s routine immediately.
- Enhanced Experience: Reliable bell timings elevated game day in unexpected ways.
Discover how a smart, automated solution not only meets complex scheduling needs but also drives remarkable operational benefits right from the start!
Client Background
Pembina Curling Club in Winnipeg, Manitoba needed a reliable automated bell system to signal the start and end of curling games across multiple leagues with varying timing requirements. The club’s commitment to precision and efficiency set the stage for a breakthrough solution.
The Challenge: Navigating Complex Scheduling
Pembina Curling Club hosts two leagues on Wednesday nights with alternating start times:
- Mixed Doubles League: Fast-paced games (2 players per team) require 90 minutes between bells.
- Standard Mixed League: Traditional games (4 players per team) require 105 minutes between bells.
Key challenges included:
- Alternating bell schedules on a week-by-week basis:
- Week 1: Bells at 7:00 PM, 8:30 PM, 8:45 PM, and 10:30 PM
- Week 2: Bells at 7:00 PM, 8:45 PM, 9:00 PM, and 10:30 PM
- Ensuring a 30-minute gap between leagues for game completion and ice maintenance.
- Avoiding the inefficiencies and potential errors of manual calendar programming.
While the rest of the week followed a regular schedule, Wednesdays needed a system that could handle:
- Alternating start times between leagues
- Different timing intervals per league
- Flexibility for unexpected changes
- A simpler alternative to manual date programming
Without automation, the club faced inefficiencies and limited flexibility.
The club needed a solution that could handle these intricacies while offering real-time flexibility and operational simplicity.
Innovative Solution: Embracing Automation with Netbell-2
Kevin Nakonechny, an IT professional with over 23 years of experience, partnered with Linortek’s technical support manager Maria Tiagunova to develop a cutting-edge solution using the Netbell-2 controller. The creative approach addressed the club’s complex scheduling needs through:
Hardware Replacement:
- Replacing the outdated time clock with the advanced Netbell‑2 controller.
- Leveraging Kevin’s proven expertise from a successful installation at Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club.
- This change paved the way for unprecedented scheduling precision.
Manual Switch Integration:
- Connecting a maintained push switch to Digital Input 1 and 2 (DIN1 and DIN2) to toggle between Wednesday schedules based on the digital input state.
- Provides instant adaptability to unforeseen scheduling changes.
Virtual Relay Configuration:
- Using virtual Relay3 and Relay4 as filters to manage the alternating schedules:
- When Relay3 is activated, it triggers one schedule.
- When Relay4 is activated, it triggers the alternate schedule.
- This setup delivers seamless automated switching between schedules for precise bell timing.
Input Linking and Conditional Logic:
- Configuring Relay3 to link with DIN1 and Relay4 with DIN2.
- Implementing task-based logic such as:
- “IF Relay3 is on AND time is X THEN activate bells”
- “IF Relay4 is on AND time is Y THEN activate bells”
Virtual Relay Configuration:
- Using virtual Relay3 and Relay4 as filters to manage the alternating schedules:
- When Relay3 is activated, it triggers one schedule.
- When Relay4 is activated, it triggers the alternate schedule.
- This setup delivers seamless automated switching between schedules for precise bell timing.
Input Linking and Conditional Logic:
- Configuring Relay3 to link with DIN1 and Relay4 with DIN2.
- Implementing task-based logic such as:
- “IF Relay3 is on AND time is X THEN activate bells”
- “IF Relay4 is on AND time is Y THEN activate bells”
Technical Implementation Highlights
- Prevented missed or shortened bell signals by disabling default relay time‑outs
- Guaranteed exact bell timing through task‑based logic that fires at the right moment
- Enabled instant schedule changes by linking relays to digital inputs for on‑the‑fly control
This innovative setup promised remarkable operational efficiency and reliable performance from day one.
Implementation Details: Behind the Scenes
Digital Input Configuration
- Access the Netbell-2 Web Interface:
Navigate to “Configure” > “In/Out”. - Configure Digital Input 1:
- Set Type to “State”
- Set Display to “Dot”
- Link Relay3 by entering “3L” in the Relay L/T field
- Set Command to “Norm” (Normal) and save the configuration.
- Configure Digital Input 2: similarly link Relay4 by entering “4L” in the Relay L/T field.
Relay Configuration
Retain Relays 1 & 2: Keep Bell 1 and Bell 2 on their default settings for standard bell operation. (Note: When virtual relays are enabled, only relays 1 and 2 can drive physical devices.)
Enable Advanced Programming:
- Go to Settings → Settings in the Netbell‑2 web interface
- Check Extend Relay Range, then click SAVE
Access All 8 Relays:
- Navigate to Services → In/Out page
- In your browser’s URL bar, replace /p/inout.htm with relays8
- Example original URL: http://172.16.0.190/p/inout.htm
- Modified URL: http://172.16.0.190/p/relays8.htm
- Virtual Relay Configuration (Relay 3 & Relay 4)
- Click Edit on Relay 3
- Enter a meaningful name (e.g., “Schedule A Filter”)
- Set Pulse Width to 0 to prevent automatic turning off
- Set Pulse Width Multiplier to None
- Set Relay Type to Normal
- Click SAVE
- Repeat these steps for Relay 4
Final Testing and Verification
- Initial Testing:
- Maria conducted tests using the TASKS page to ensure that the conditional logic was executed correctly.
- Configuration Finalization:
- Kevin completed the final setup prior to replacing the legacy hardware, which was scheduled for November 23.
- System Verification:
- The system was thoroughly tested to confirm that bells rang precisely according to the designated schedule based on the switch position.
Results That Made a Real Difference
Implementing the Netbell‑2 controller and digital inputs delivered game‑changing outcomes and outstanding benefits.
- Simplified Scheduling: The automated system streamlined alternating league schedules, ensuring bells rang at exactly the right times without manual adjustments.
- Enhanced Flexibility: A simple manual switch enabled instant schedule changes for unexpected delays or league swaps.
- Time Savings: Eliminated the need to create and manage date‑based events, freeing up hours of staff time each week.
- Reduced Risk of Error: Automated timing removed human mistakes, delivering consistently accurate game durations.
- Improved Player Experience: Reliable, on‑time bells created a seamless game flow that players immediately noticed.
These results show Linortek’s Netbell‑2 makes scheduling easy, reliable, and error‑free.
Customer Feedback
At the end of the project, Kevin Nakonechny reflected on the journey and the impact of the new system. He summed it up simply: “Happy to hear – new/interesting challenges are good once in a while.”
What stood out most for Kevin was Linortek’s hands‑on technical support, which guided him through each configuration step and made a complex installation feel straightforward. Inspired by the smooth rollout, he documented every detail of the setup so other clubs could replicate the success — a testament to both the Netbell‑2’s reliability and Linortek’s commitment to customer success
Key Takeaways & Future Opportunities
This case study demonstrates how integrating a Netbell-2 controller with strategic digital inputs can conquer complex scheduling challenges while delivering exceptional operational benefits:
- Efficiency: Streamlined, automated scheduling reduces administrative overhead.
- Flexibility: Dynamic adjustment capabilities allow for rapid response to schedule changes.
- Reliability: Reduced errors translate into a better experience for both staff and players.
For organizations facing similar challenges, this approach illustrates the value of investing in innovative, programmable controllers to achieve greater efficiency, adaptability, and customer satisfaction.
