Construction Machines Are Getting Smarter and Smarter
In the “bauma Industry Barometer,”
responding companies turn out to be fairly humble: Only 4 percent of them
consider themselves to be a digitalization leader. But when you consider the
number and the variety of trade fair innovations in this area, you realize that
digital solutions will certainly be a central theme for the machinery,
vehicles, equipment and services that will be showcased in Munich.
One thing jumps out at you when you talk
with exhibitors at this year’s upcoming bauma: Just about every company is searching
for ways to weigh the opportunities that digitalization will create for it and
its products. The manner in which these opportunities will be interpreted and
seized is extremely different.
New or improved solutions in telematics as
well as fleet and machine management extend across a wide area. They run
through various product groups like a thread – from cut-off saws and chain saws
(Stihl) and height-access technology (Terex AWP) to tipper trailers
(Schmitz-Cargobull) and compactors (Amman).
App facilitates machine leasing
Some manufacturers use the ever-present
smartphone as the basis of their new products. The new app klickcheck developed
by Zeppelin Lab GmbH is designed for leasing companies in the building
industry. It provides an easy way to collect all documents that are needed for
equipment handover and store them in the cloud. The machines are identified
through a QR code and examined using individual checklists on the smartphone.
Users and lessors can digitally document damage and defects in pictures and
texts.
Sophisticated planning programs have been
mainstays in formwork technology for years now. The Doka company takes things a
step farther. At the world’s largest trade fair, it will showcase a digital
system that will help surveyors and construction crews quickly and precisely
set up a wall formwork for self-climbing systems. The key is measuring sensors
that are affixed to defined points on the formwork and communicate wirelessly
with a central processing unit. Doka has been nominated for the bauma
Innovation Award 2019 in the Digital Systems category for this solution.
Intelligent systems assist drivers
Sensors are being designed to make machines
smarter, too. Liebherr-International AG will present a package of intelligent
assistant systems for its large wheel loaders. This will include an active
person-recognition system in the back. The system uses sensors to independently
differentiate between people and static objects. When people are detected in
the hazard zone, the system sends out a warning at greater distance than it
does for walls or pillars.
The 3D terrain mapping app made by the
software and system developer ITK Engineering is manufacturer independent. The
intelligent, camera-based assistant system recognizes individuals and objects
on rough terrain and warns the driver about potential dangers.
Automated functions do not just increase
safety on construction sites. They also prevent drivers from becoming tired and
help relatively inexperienced users be more productive. In this regard, Case
will present its new compact wheel-loader models with electrohydraulic control.
With more than 20 sensors and 20 electrohydraulic drives, the system alerts
drivers about errors and optimizes machine function to save fuel. The machines
increase productivity and energy efficiency in a process that drives down
overall operating costs.
