Unique finds at MOBA – the ‚Super-Level‘

by mklingenhagenAbout MOBA, BlogPosted on Comments are Disabled

Unique finds at MOBA – the ‚Super-Level‘

Within 45 years of MOBA history there are quite some systems that have either accumulated over the years or find their way back to us in a number of ways.

So it came, that lately we received this great piece from the mid-80s – and it is still working! The ‘Super-Level’ is an electronic spirit level, which has been built upon an individual request by one customer. By that time, the electronic spirit level could not be bought commercially yet. For this reason, we produced a small amount of 100 pieces.

It was used in road construction to determine the grade of the paved asphalt. The exact value was then shown on its display. Some of the technical specifications were a capacitive liquid sensor and a 9volt block battery as the power supply.

When it comes to the production of technologies for the construction sector, it has always been important to adapt it to special conditions. Exposed to extreme heats, for example, it was essential to use the right sensor and material. For this reason, the scale is made out of wood to protect the sensor from the heat rising from the hot asphalt when freshly laid.

This electronic spirit scale is just an example of how MOBA products have always been adapted to the surrounding they are exposed to. In 45 years of constant feedback from the market, a certain know-how has established itself that is invaluable for us today.

Do you happen to have a MOBA system still in use that we might not even produce anymore? Tell us about your finds! We look forward to see one or another treasure from the very beginning again!

BIM – Building Information Modeling

by Thomas BraunBlog, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled

BIM - Building Information Modeling

What is BIM?

Building information modeling (BIM) is an ongoing process to generate, monitor and save physical and functional data for construction sites and building sites. Building information models (BIMs) are files (often but not always in exclusive formats and containing proprietary data) which can be extracted, exchanged or networked to support decision-making regarding a building or other built asset. Design and construction of roads and railways includes most often needs and work tasks to fit geometrically bridges into the roads. Compared to the traditional methods, BIM based modelling and construction process offer new advanced possibilities for this fitting work. Current BIM software is used by individuals, businesses and government agencies who plan, design, construct, operate and maintain diverse physical infrastructures, such as water, refuse, electricity, gas, communication utilities, roads, bridges, ports, tunnels, etc..

The simple process below describes the steps how BIM support in the building process – Model based Construction Process

What is the main benefit of BIM?

BIM means that you not only capture reality but also maintain control of the data which improves the collaboration of divers entities involved in the construction process. BIM supports in looking at a project from the big picture but at the same time allows to dive into detail. The BIM toolset helps automate clash detection of elements such as electrical conduit or ductwork that run into a beam. By modeling all of these things first, clashes are discovered early, and costly on-site issues can be reduced. The digital model also ensures a perfect fit of elements that are manufactured off-site, allowing these components to be easily bolted into place rather than created on-site. The advantage of prior simulation process saves money, time and resources.

Below you can see an example of the evolvement of data in the finish construction process. While in 1970 all drawings were still paper based – 35 years later 3D is the state of the Art for large scale construction development nationwide.

BIM founder and specialist Petteri Palviainen stipulates that “(…) it is just a matter of time until other countries will follow to use BIM as a mandatory tool in building and construction processes”

Watch this space – The next BIM article will show BIM advancements in other countries such as Vietnam and give a deeper insight how BIM is connected to open source data management programs such as “Infrakit” as well as give a major focus on machine control aspects of BIM.

Credit to: Petteri Palviainen Heikkilä, R., University of Oulu, Finnalnd), Modeling versus Data Management https://www.autodesk.com/redshift/building-information-modeling-top-10-benefits-of-bim/

Turning data into information

by Thomas BraunBlog, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled

Turning data into information

Last week, I wrote an article and used the phrase “turning data into information”. I stopped and realized that on an intuitive level I knew what this phrase meant, but I started thinking what actually distinct data from information?

After a quick Google search, I realized that the term ‘information’ is differently defined and used across different disciplines like computer sciences, linguistics, biology, history, or theology. After some more re-search I found a communications engineering-heavy definition of information, which helped me to see the difference between data and information.

Please be aware that this definition of information is created by a creationist to prove that there is no evolution. As critics have pointed out, transforming this communications engineering definition of information into the area of biology and evolution is an attribution error. I also struggle to follow the reasoning that there is no evolution (based on this information definition). However, this is not a blog about beliefs and I found it helpful to understand the difference between data and information.

Basically, there are five levels, which I want to briefly introduce.

Statistics

The statistics of an information interprets the descriptive part based on quantitative measures. For example, questions around count and composition of characters, frequency of character combinations and so on are answered. It relays heavily on the mathematical theory of sets.

Syntax

The syntax of an information summarizes all structural features. This level does not look at content or meaning, but focuses on sign systems, which are used to code the information. It also includes formal and informal rules about possible combinations of characters and strings (of characters). Additionally, morphology, phonetics and vocabulary are looked at. If all aspects are given, it is called a language. Even though there a lot of different languages all of them have sign systems and agreed-on rules.

Only through language it is possible to transmit and store information. Actually, sender and receiver of an information (humans, animals and technical systems) need to know the aspect of syntax if they want to understand the information.

Semantic

The semantic of an information describes the meaning. Meaning is basically the invariance of the information. Even if the statistics and syntax of an information changes, the meaning stays the same. For example, if you encode an information into a natural language, a blueprint or programming language, the meaning stays the same.

Pragmatism

The pragmatism of an information focuses on the aspect that information transfer always includes the sender’s intention to produce some result from the receiver. The sender might openly formulate his intention, but it might also be implicit within the message.

Apobetics

Apobetics describes the result or purpose of the information itself. Each information contains a purpose or objective of the sender. For example, the sentence ‘buy our great new product for only $10!’ requires the receiver to go to the store (action part, pragmatism), while the intended purpose is that the receiver of the information buys the product.

Data vs Information

With this definition, I think the differences between data and information become more evident. Data and information have both statistics and syntax in common. Both can be statistically analysed and there must be syntax so that the receiver and sender of data and information can understand each other. Even semantic is common for data and information. Data can be represented in a lot of different format; the data stay the same. For instance, a height deviation during the paving process might be shown as number on a screen, but also as a blinking arrow. It is still the same data.

However, if we get to the aspects of pragmatism and apobetics, it becomes evident, how data are turned into information. For example, current engine data from a ship in an ocean most likely does not create any kind of action from you as the receiver (the pragmatism aspect). You also do not care about the purpose of the message. However, if you get engine data from your machine on a jobsite, this turns into information. If you see unusual data, you start actions to figure out what is wrong with the engine by remotely connecting to the machine or calling the operator (the pragmatism aspect). The overlaying purpose of the information is to avoid unexpected downtime.

And what has this to do with the job site?

This might all sound rather theoretical, but there is a good take away from this reflection on data and information for me. If you a use a control system for a construction machine or a telematics systems, which can provide heaps of data, make sure that only the data are shown and used, on which you need to act on and which help you to solve a higher purpose. Then you turned data into information. Otherwise it is just data clutter.

What do you think? Did I miss important aspects which turn data into information? I am keen to hear from you.

Excavator Guide – Xsite PRO for the trench construction site

by fenkRoad Construction, Success StoryPosted on Comments are Disabled

How would Smart IoT shape our lives in the future?

Excavator Guide - Xsite PRO for the trench construction site

The 3D excavation control Xsite Pro is a system with plenty of features for various projects. To give you an overview of what is possible with the system, we would like to illustrate some applications and provide you with some tips and tricks to optimally profit from the system.

As such, the following guide will show you how to use Xsite Pro for an optimum trench construction. Please find the pdf guide in English for download here. 

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us! We are looking forward to hearing from you! Please leave a comment with your experience with the system!

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Die 3D Baggersteuerung Xsite Pro ist ein System mit vielen Features für die verschiedensten Projekte. Um Ihnen einen Überblick zu geben, welche Möglichkeiten Ihnen das System bietet, stellen wir gerne einige Anwendungsfälle vor und geben Ihnen einige Tipps und Tricks mit auf den Weg, wie Sie optimal von dem System profitieren.

So wird Ihnen der folgende Guide eine Anleitung zur optimalen Grabenbaustelle sein. Sie finden das Dokument hier auf Deutsch zum Download.

Zögern Sie nicht uns bei weiteren Fragen einfach zu kontaktieren! Und hi

Ring-road project for Afghanistan_II

by thaBlog, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled

Ring-road project for Afghanistan II

The 2100km ring road project in Afghanistan has the purpose to connect all major cities of the country. We have reported earlier about this project in another blogpost(Ring-road project). The project has been going on for years and despite many challenges (monetary, terroristic attacks, reliable contractors and political changes) is now in the last stages of completion. For those who want to know more background information – the following link offers a very detailed and interesting insight about the whole project – https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/going-in-circles-the-never-ending-story-of-afghanistans-unfinished-ring-road/

As you can see from the pictures, Cinderella uses the Big Sonic Ski with the MOBA MATIC 2 to copy the references from the side of the road. They also use a matching Ski to read from the freshly paved surface on the other side of the paver. No String-line needed!

Cinderella has been operating our Big Sonic Ski system now for 2 years and “the quality is still outstanding” (CEO & Owner, -Aaron AZIM).
With over 85% of the 2100 km ring road project being accomplished, our customer Cinderella from Afghanistan now faces the most challenging part of the project: It’s the construction of a 12 km long mountain pass with a 2600 meter peak. Next to rough terrain and weather conditions, the project is also overshadowed by risk of terroristic attacks and thus always protected by heavily armed security.

Below please find a video of the construction process – because Cinderella starts construction from scratch, they sent us a video of how to “tackle” the conditions of the terrain:

We thank Cinderella for the distribution of the pictures/videos and feedback. We are looking forward to many more years of working together.

PAVE-TM – the worlds first automatic asphalt thickness measurement system

by fenkRoad Construction, Success StoryPosted on Comments are Disabled

How would Smart IoT shape our lives in the future?

PAVE-TM - the worlds first automatic asphalt thickness measurement system

The workers are preparing the machine for the pavement of 6 km top layer. The screed is heated, the machine is positioned, leveling- and material sensors are installed. Today, the team is going to work with MOBA’s PAVE-TM system for the first time.

After a brief introduction through our MOBA Service Team, mechanics and sensors are quickly installed on the machine. The paving team consists of workers with many years of professional experience, as well as young men who have just completed their education. The perfect mix of people for the introduction of a new system, because we are always striving to develop our systems for all ages.

“Everyone should be able to work with the system.”

We started with instructing the operating concept and the software architecture. The younger workers didn´t show any fear of contact and started to navigate through all the main menus, looked through the submenus and got to know the system very quickly. The more experienced workers were very skeptical and initially they didn´t really trust our new system.

We started with the paving process, configured the system together with the whole team. Afterwards, we simply gave everything in their hands. We quickly realized that there are different preferences in the basic view of the system. While one wants to see only the thickness of the layer, the other one is enthusiastic about our overview menu showing actual thickness, temperature, screed width and paved distance. It was like with all of our new system, workers need to get the confidence in reliability and accuracy. On the first kilometer, the thickness was measured with their manual tool they usually use.

The distance was checked with a distance wheel and the screed width was measured conventionally with a string. Their values matched with the values of our PAVE-TM System and after a short time, everyone started to trust in PAVE-TM. They started to lower the height of the screed to work in lower tolerance limits. The material calculation was also running and the values were compared with the incoming trucks in order to optimize the process. By displaying the actual asphalt temperature above the auger, the screed workers could communicate with the roller drivers to prevent from a too early or too late compaction of the fresh material.

After a few hours of installation the project was completed, the customer trusted the system and they will use it in their future projects.

Find more information on our PAVE-TM Layer Thickness Measurement Website.

The future of lifting platform production, with the help of WiFi and end of line Tool

by fenkRoad Construction, Success StoryPosted on Comments are Disabled

How would Smart IoT shape our lives in the future?

The future of lifting platform production, with the help of WiFi and end of line Tool

I am being shown around the production area of a Lifter company. I am especially interested in the initial operation department. In which we are going to watch a full system integration of our products. It’s a formidable sight, when a CAN-Bus starts and the platform springs into life.

I watch a new platform being driven into the start up area. The experienced employee instantly starts work and produces a durable power system for the platform.

I hear a loud beep and see the different flashing LEDs from the slope sensors and the HMI in the basket. A few seconds later, the employee activates the MCG WiFi by quickly pressing the capacitive switch. On his way back to his desk, the employee trips over the power cable and nearly falls over. He mutters something under his breath and the launch begins.

On the Laptop screen I can see our End of line Tool prompting the employee to pair to a device. The prompt monitor shows all the available platforms that are present in the production area. He glances at the consignment note and with one click, purposely selects the Platform in front of us. The Platform is now directly connected to the service computer. He explains that the Platform is specially configured. The customer would like a further switch to turn the headlights on. He proceeds with the Standard configuration of the platform.

He opens the application directory and chooses the desired Platform. I can see an information window telling us that the application is being transferred per WiFi. The employee tells me that before MCG-WiFi and the End of Line Tool it was a much more tedious job. Additional cables and a CAN-Dongle were needed to connect to a lifter, due to the cables, to initialize the launch, you had to stand at a rolling table. He also tells me that it’s now a lot more convenient to transfer the application.

At one time, the available possibilities were technically limited and the Hydraulic fine tuning was time consuming. He tells me he was previously more prone to tripping over the numerous cables and asks, with a smile if we could invent wireless electricity for them too, so there would be no danger of tripping in the workplace. We both start laughing , the information that the application has been successfully transferred appears. I start thinking ,wireless electricity is not as far fetched as it sounds, proposals for an inexpensive solution for rechargeable batteries for E-Cars are due to be announced within the next few days. Previous solutions were expensive and therefore seldom used. With an inexpensive solution, the last cables could disappear from the launch area.

The Platform is now nearly ready for end testing. The last adjustments need to be made to the special configuration and the fine adjustments to the hydraulics.

The Employee calls his colleague in the Applications department and asks him to make the modifications for the special configuration to the light switch. After a brief consultation they both agree the application engineer will install the modifications via remote access.

In order for the application engineer to access the Platform, it is necessary that the MCG WiFi be carried out in ‘client’ mode. This is done through pressing the same button. We no longer have access to the Platform as the application engineer has taken over the steering via the MOBA internet platform. We can however, follow what is happening through the display on the MCP control panel. After a couple of minutes, the application engineer announces via telephone, that the special configuration has been successfully completed and we can now carry on with the launch. With just 2 clicks we are once again directly connected to the Platform. The employee accesses the settings in the end of line tool, where you can see a picture of the platform with all its sensors, controllers and the HMI. A green LED shines beside each component, which tells us that all the components are working and ready for use. With a contented smile, the employee climbs into the drivers cab and drives into the open for further tests. I follow him and watch as he parks the platform in an area marked Parameterization and shifts into auxiliary mode. The employee climbs out of the cab with the Laptop and a HMI console in hand and goes to the stabilizer controls at the rear. He extends the outriggers a few times and lets me know that the ramp speed in the Endstop could do with a little fine tuning. He opens his service computer and I can see the Heading Parameterization and the values for all the relevant Hydraulic components. He overwrites the Ramp values and sends the amended values straight to the Platform, just by pressing enter. A few seconds later, he extends the outriggers once again and you can see how elegantly the outriggers glide in the ramp. Contented, he leaves the support controls, grabs the HMI and within a matter of seconds, pairs this to the MCG WiFi .

We take the Laptop and the remote control, walk about 15m to a glass box and sit on the table inside. He takes the remote control in his hand and starts his Platform trials. He extends and retracts every single telescope and carries out numerous rotations with the Platform. He happily ticks the boxes on his checklist one after another, whilst making minor adjustments to the Hydraulics. He sends the data directly to the platform and tests the function once again. When he is finished, a pop-up window appears, informing the employee that the Parameterization has been completed successfully. After pressing the enter button, another notification appears, asking the user if all the correct sensors have been installed and the securing of the Parameterization can begin.

By confirming the read out, all the components serial numbers are automatically saved in the devices Product file. It’s an impressive sight, a task that used to take hours, being completed within a matter of seconds and without spelling mistakes.

After the serial number read out is finished, the read out of the parameter settings on the Platform is carried out and also automatically saved in the product file. Enthusiastically, the start up engineer tells me it’s a great help, in the past, saving special configurations was complicated and when in need of servicing, the special applications had to be installed on the controller by the manufacturer. Replacing a controller would take a few days.

Nowadays, the service technician just takes the controller from his storage and changes the controller on the Platform. The application can be installed anywhere in the world from the MOBA internet platform within minutes.

The transfer is completed a few seconds later, this is confirmed by a tick on the display

 

By the way: We are in the year 2021. Welcome to the future!

Developed and developing countries – different requirements for machines and machine control systems

by mklingenhagenBlog, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled

Developed and developing countries – different requirements for machines and machine control systems

All over the world, road building machines and machine control systems are working in different projects. That can be the construction of a completely new road or the renovation of an old road.

For all these projects machines as well as machine control systems have to be robust, work precisely and reliably.

The difference, however, can be huge, depending on which country a machine is working. While in developed countries the most important factors are reliability, precision and the latest technologies and flexibility; in developing countries robustness, easy operation and cheapness are the main factors.

In developed countries reliability is very important because the planning of road construction projects is very strict, that means there are no buffers in timelines. The whole chain from asphalt plant over truck planning, asphalt laying up to compaction is jam-packed and if only one single machine is not working properly or a machine breaks down, the whole chain stands still and the complete process is postponed. That, in turn, means the project can’t be finished on time and often the company has to pay penalty payments for the delay. Penalty payments or on the other side bonus payments for imprecise or on the other hand extremely precise work are the reasons why precision also plays an important role. And for precise work, machine control systems with the latest technologies are essential, as a machine works much more precisely with an appropriate machine control system. When companies in developed countries acquire such systems, one decisive factor is the flexibility of a system. That means that for example a control system for a paver can work with different sensors, accordingly to the requirements of different projects, like MOBA-matic with its different sensors and possible combinations.

In comparison to developed countries, in developing countries it is in most cases important to have a machine and a machine control system that is very robust because the circumstances are often rough. For example, extreme heat or dust demand a lot from machine and control system. It is also important that the operation is simple, so that also unskilled workers can work with it without time-consuming instructions. Also, the equipment must not be too expensive, that is why often machines like pavers are reused in developing countries after being taken out of service after having already worked seven until ten years in developed countries. The machines are often getting refurbished and modified with MOBA systems.

New safety standards for lifting application in North America. Which products are available?

by fenkRoad Construction, Success StoryPosted on Comments are Disabled

How would Smart IoT shape our lives in the future?

New safety standards for lifting application in North America. Which products are available?

New standard in US and Canada – A92

In the beginning of February 2017, two new standards for safety relevant applications of aerial working platforms were established. Since this date, all manufacturers who intend to sell their machines in the United States and Canada have twelve months to implement the standard in all aerial work platforms manufactured since February 2017. Excluded from these standards are cranes and telescopic handlers because both machine types are different in comparison to aerial working platforms.

In the United States the standard is called A92, and it is managed by SAIA (a Secretariat of the ANSI). In Canada, this standard is known under the name CSA-B354. Both standards are similar to the European standard EN 280. In case of a safety-relevant system or feature all standards are refering to  EN ISO 13849-1 (established in 2009), formerly known as EN 954.

Measure of reliability of a safety function – the Performance Level (PL)

All three standards indicate how every machine must be designed, developed and manufactured to reach the right performance level (PL). The performance level is a measure of the reliability of a safety function or component. It indicates its safety on a scale from a (least PL) to e (highest PL) (please see the below picture). The higher the PL, the safer and more reliable the function is. The specified value of the performance level also has an impact on where a specific component may be used, since the PL must always be at least as high as the risk value at the point in question. 

Risk graph to determine the required performance level

To determine the required performance level (PL), a relatively simple diagram can be used, which is often referred to as a ‘risk graph’. It evaluates the risk for a given body based on three criteria:

  1. Kind of injury:
  • light injury
  • heavy injury

Frequency and length of stay (how often and how long a person is using the machine/component):

  • rarely until often
  • frequently to continuously

Possible to avoid the risk:

  • possible under certain conditions
  • hardly possible

The required performance level can then be determined by tracking the corresponding paths in the risk graph. After that you will get a certain performance level, which can be a, b, c, d or e. This is the PL that the affected function must reach at least.

Which products from the MOBA portfolio are available through this standard change?

In North America, the same MOBA products can be used as in Europe. This is the goal that MOBA wants to reach: ‚to establish highest and uniform safety standards all over the world‘. 

MOBA‘s load cellMRW, e.g., meets the requirements to EN ISO 13849-1, thereby reaching PL d, the second highest reliability level. One reason for this is that the load cell is built redundantly, i.e. the load cell is designed with a two-channel technology – both channels control each other. Independent from the position of the load inside the working platform, the actual weight is measured. If this weight exceeds the configured critical values, an alarm will be activated or a security switch will be opened. 

Additional to this MRW, MOBA integrates system solutions in aerial work platforms. The system integration consists of slope sensors, controllers in different sizes for the related application, wire rope sensors, operating modules in different variations, such as an operating panel in which a display and a controller is installed.

Further reading

Read also: https://mobacommunity.com/blogs/entry/Safety-Components-for-Mobile-Elevating-Work-Platforms

https://mobacommunity.com/blogs/entry/Principle-of-a-construction-kit-for-your-aerial-work-platform-The-new-MCP-from-MOBA

For further questions and information to our products don´t hesitate to contact us directly!

Asphalt compositions for different application scenarios

by mklingenhagenBlog, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled

Asphalt compositions for different application scenarios – a brief overview

Asphalt is the key material for road construction. It is, however, as versatile as there are use cases for paved roads. There is not one universal recipe for each application. It is rather the composition of components, which defines the physical properties of a road.

Asphalt consists of aggregate and bitumen. The choice of binder type and quantity as well the type of aggregation play an important role in the right composition. Depending on that, asphalt has different cavities. Consequently, different compositions lead to different properties of the asphalt. Dependent on the road requirements, the right choice thus needs to be made regarding the composition of materials. Here an example of how the right composition cancels noise:

The asphalt mix types below describe the recipe of the optimum noise absorption, permeable and porous mastic asphalt.
– The asphalt concrete (AC 8 D) has a uniform grain size distribution and has relatively few cavities
– Due to the high binder contents, the Stone mastic Asphalt (SMA 8) has a relatively low void content.
– By contrast, in the case of cast asphalt (MA 8 n), the space between the coarse grain structure is almost completely filled by its high mortar content.
– The Open pored asphalt (PA 11) is formed by pronounced cavities, as a grain size distribution is present.
– With open poreded cast asphalt (PMA 5), a special cavity structure is achieved by a failure grain in the area of fine aggregate.
– In the noise-optimised asphalt surface (AC 5 D Loa), the special surface texture is achieved by a continuous particle size distribution and a reduced binder content.