BIG SONIC SKI in Colombia

by thenkesBlog, Crane & Lifter, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled
BIG SONIC SKI in Colombia

In May 2016, when I get started in MOBA do Brasil, my first task was to learn about BIG SONIC SKI (BSS). First, I read the manuals and simulate its operation in laboratory, and after, for my surprise, I was sent to Medellín city in Colombia to see this system working on a Conasfaltos S.A. job site.

It was a week that I’ve learned a lot, because I could see the BSS installation and operation, and not only that, I could also understand the paving work, since the material production until the final application.

My special thanks to the team that taught me a lot!
From left to right: Me, Julián, the safety technician, Mauricio and Gabriel

Data Security – A critical element for automated construction machinery

by thenkesBlog, Crane & Lifter, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled
Data Security – A critical element for automated construction machinery

Data security is a topic that affects all of us, in our private lives as well as in everyday working life.

Source: datenschutz.org

Of course, it also plays a big role in all industry sectors where data is generated, collected and processed.

For example, the automobile industry is heavily impacted by it as the development of automated and interconnected driving is making big advance. And that means huge amounts of data are generated. This leads to the obligation that the data of each single person, but also the data of the whole traffic system requires protection against abuse and hacker attacks. On the other hand, using that data intelligently offers a big value-added potential.
Source: MOBA AG

This also applies to the data collected from automated construction machinery. As a survey of Bitkom and VdTÜV in Germany found out, the majority of the people interviewed stated, that the data generated from construction machines should only be accessible to the driver and the machine owner. The reason is that they fear technical errors and hacker attacks to the machinery. 83% of the respondents said that it is important to know which data exactly is collected and who works with it (93%).  95% pointed out that the data security is the most important aspect and that the systems should regularly be checked regarding data protection and data safety.

Yet the interconnection and automation of construction machinery and equipment is essential and indispensable in today’s 4.0 industry. It is not only important to be up to date, but especially it offers the possibility to increased efficiency and a high working precision. With interconnected machines and equipment, the whole construction chain can be improved, errors and bottlenecks can be prevented.

Therefore, the challenge for construction machine manufacturers and construction companies is to use these positive effects but also to protect themselves and their customers from the risks that data generation and data exchange offers.
With more and more data and internet based working, the risks and security demands rise. Companies must react and protect their data to prevent potential damages caused by data loss or hacker attacks.
So called “industry data spaces” already offer a possibility for safe data exchange with end-to-end encryption and flexible assignment of rights.

New operating concept for pavers – made with MOBA

by tklebachBlog, Crane & Lifter, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled

New operating concept for pavers – made with MOBA

Undeniably, leveling is a crucial aspect in paving new roads, or renewing existing roads. To get an excellent result, everything from the materials, the control system, and the paver must work together. To allow the operator an exact and flexible handling of these systems and to steer the screed the right way, a functional operation concept is a must-have.

MOBA, together with BOMAG, developed a new concept for an optimized screed control. The new built-in leveling system can be controlled via a rugged touchpad and two toggle switches from outside. It allows a comfortable control of many important screed functions like adjusting the height and slope of the screed. It is a very robust device and the easy handling allows for intuitive operation without long trainings.
This new concept not only eases the work for the operators, but also helps achieving highly-precise results in asphalt paving and improving the quality and longevity of the road.

This is another fantastic example of MOBA’s working to develop and produce devices according to a customer’s needs. In this instance, partnering with the customer has developed the housing according to their own company design and augmenting it with MOBA electronics with all MOBA typical features like the robust housing and the special sealing technique which protects sensitive electronics against environmental influences like heat, water or vibrations. Whatever roadwork environments encounter, our products are ready.

MOBA’s operating units and HMIs are not only designed and manufactured for tough requirements, but also offer a wide flexibility when it comes to design and function. This means not only making it fit the needs of a customer’s design, like the BOMAG unit, but when it comes to HMIs for various machines, the design and number of keys, buttons and joysticks can be varied. The customer can choose how many functions they need and then create their own HMI. The best part? This modular HMI concept is that all components are already proven and tested, making it affordable for small quantities. Also, the simple handling and the intuitive, symbol-driven operation is an advantage, when the device is going to be handle my different operators while on a job.

Qualification of front foils at MOBA

by thaBlog, Crane & LifterPosted on Comments are Disabled

Qualification of front foils at MOBA

When selecting front foils for a wide variety of applications, MOBA takes great care to ensure the best quality. There are many front foil manufacturers, but not every front foil is suitable for the rough conditions for mobile applications in a construction environment. The differences in quality partly result from the composition of several different layers and materials.
There are different qualification stages that a front foil needs to pass in order to get to serial production:
  • 1. An endurance test
  • 2. A weather resistance test
  • 3. Salt spray test
Therefore, MOBA decided to implement test procedures along with the introduction of the front foil technology. Among other things, this resulted in the development and manufacture of a specially developed test stand for the qualifications of the front foils.

Front Foil Test Procedure

1. Endurance Test
The test procedure for a front foil is as follows: the front foil is applied to a printed circuit board and a keystroke is simulated with the aid of compressed air tappets. Using a PC, the keystrokes are documented, and the front foils are tested until the front foil is damaged.
2. Weather Resistance test
In the next qualification stage, the front foil is checked for its UV and form stability.

The front foil is tested in a sun simulation cabinet. The sun simulation cabinet can simulate temperatures and sun rays, as they can occur for example in the Arab countries. This test ensures that the front foil is dimensionally stable and that the dome embossing is retained. If the dome embossing is reduced by the heat, the worst-case scenario could be a self-triggering key.

In addition, this test checks that the colours are UV-stable and do not bleach out. However, the film is not only tested for heat, but also for its behaviour at minus temperatures. The film is exposed to extreme minus temperatures. The front foil goes through several of these cycles to reproduce reality as closely as possible.

3. Salt Spray Test
If the above tests have been successfully passed, the front foil must undergo a salt spray test. This test checks that no salt water can damage the front foil.

The front foil is also tested for its material resistance to a wide variety of substances such as lubricants, cleaning agents or operating fluids.

Only when all tests have been successfully passed does the front foil receive approval for use in production.

Even decor foils undergo the testing procedure

All of the so-called decor foils go through this testing process, too. This is a single-layer front foil with specific key symbols applied to a white front foil. This structure has proved to be very successful with the HMImc concept, as an HMI can be used on several different lifters and the specific key symbols are realised via the decor foil. This not only offers advantages in stock management due to identical parts, but also offers the possibility of replacing the decor foil at any time in the field if it is soiled by paint, etc. A front foil can also be changed at any time, but this must be done at MOBA’s.
Feel free to contact us for our HMI solutions and let us work together to develop your own HMI from proven components!

MAWIS bitPAYT APP

by tklebachBlog, Crane & Lifter, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled

MAWIS bitPAYT APP - MOBA's new citizen tool to enhance waste segregation and the first step towards a circular economy

In MOBA, we are constantly developing new products and projects where innovation and sustainability play a key role.

In this occasion, we are happy to announce the launching of our new APP for smartphones that promotes citizen participation in waste management of our cities. The application has been created as a tool to allow greater transparency and interaction of the citizen and businesses with the municipality in terms of waste management.

The new Mawis bitPAYT application promotes the circular economy at the municipal level, encouraging selective collection and recycling and giving support to systems that promote the introduction of pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) schemes.

More information coming soon.

Stay tuned.

Innovative project HMImc remote unit control

by Sebastian SchlesiesBlog, Crane & LifterPosted on Comments are Disabled

Innovative project HMImc remote unit control

…and the next parts we are preparing for shipping to bauma. For the first time we will present the innovation project HMImc radio remote control to our customers. With the 3D printer we created also the yellow docking station to charge the battery.
The deflection and keystrokes are shown on the display of the MCP. The radio remote connection is working with 2 Can Wifi Gateways which are paired togehter. Have a look to that innovative project and join us in Hall A2, booth 237.

Building a water storage Dam​

by thenkesBlog, Crane & Lifter, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled

Building a water storage Dam

MOBA Australia (former MCE Lasers) has integrated an advanced 3D system with the MCE ECO- Grader GNSS system

Project Facts

The project is located in Nurrung Victoria Australia. The project demands approx 33,000 cubic meters of dirt cut out, another approx. 2,700 Cubic meters of dirt/clay fill brought in. The task was achieved with approx. 250 machine/ man hours. The whole are has been compacted to 98%.

The Customer “Corian Park” has already purchased 3 x MCE Eco-Grade GNSS systems in the past.

This system allows the customer to work with either Laser control or entry level GPS (meaning they can create a FLAT, SINGLE or DUAL slope plane easily using GPS for the height reference). The Customer also has a MOBA 3D-matic system which has been integrated by MOBA AUSTRALIA to work as an upgraded option to the Eco-Grade to allow the customer to upload 3D models when needed.

The Operator Drew Chislett is achieving accuracies within +/-7mm.
Please follow this link to see the actual video from the jobside:
https://gopro.com/v/57Jao02gP0JLd
Any questions on integrating your former (MCE) system with MOBA - let us know and we will support you.

Demonstration of Pave-IR on Sumitomo HA60W in Japan

by thenkesBlog, Crane & Lifter, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled

Demonstration of Pave-IR on Sumitomo HA60W in Japan

JEMCO has yet performed another DEMO to Japanese Construction companies to show the advantage of the MOBA PAVE IR system.

The picture below shows the dramatic state of a rural street in Japan. As one can identify on the picture below, the street is covered in potholes and seems partially ripped open.

This can happen when asphalt is laid with temperatures differences throughout the profile of the street. If laid asphalt does not offer a homogeneous temperature profile it may be subject to damage by external aspects. Changes in wheater and related temperature rise and drop will damage the surface where temperature problems have occurred during the paving process.

Once Pave IR is installed and operating, it’s information can support the paving process by displaying and recording divers’ amount of information concerned with the machine, the material and the outside condition.

More detailed information about the display of information can be found in this article here:
https://mobacommunity.com/blogs/entry/Thermal-Segregation-and-Leveling-Live-Trial-in-Thailand
The contractor does not only improve the paving process but enables his paving crew to work more efficient by delivery a better quality of the road. Research has proven that homogenous temperature profiles withstand thermal segregation and thus increase the longevity of a road.
Thank you JEMCO for another successful demonstration of PAVE IR in Japan

HMI Modular Concept: How much time and money will you save?

by thaBlog, Crane & LifterPosted on Comments are Disabled

HMI Modular Concept: How much time and money will you save?

One of the most important aspects of lifting and access work is the human machine interface (HMI) and control systems. As these machines become more autonomous, it is important that machine operators have easy to use, versatile, reliable, robust, and ergonomic machine controls. As OEMs look to improve their machine controls, many factors go into deciding whether to change and improve them. OEMs are always looking to distinguish themselves from the competition, and a unique solution is usually created for each manufacturer when requested. While undoubtedly important, this does take a substantial amount of time, money, research, and development for the manufacturer. One unique aspect of the decision making is the development time and costs.
But what if there was a way to achieve these safety solutions for less? Less investment, less time, less research, and still achieve a robust and compliant safety performance level. These benefits are something that many niche access manufacturers, medium and large-sized companies are already experiencing with their partnership with MOBA.
One popular customization option is MOBA’s HMI modular concept, which allows OEMs to customize each HMI on their machines without having to invest in development cost. This not only saves the customer money on the development cost and but also reduces research time. With a modern CANbus interface, these HMI modules can be integrated in a variety of ways while reducing the need for cables, resulting in further savings for the OEM. Options include standard and lockable joysticks, multiple types of keypad and display modules, and versatile housing for the one or three modules. Each unit is also shock-proof and water resistant for even the most rugged of job sites. Each customer can incorporates their own distinct decal foils for further customization. These modules also allow for easy maintenance when things go awry on the job site. Instead of having to replace the entire HMI, OEMs can simply replace the module itself, again saving time and money. Making safety simple is what we love to do at MOBA. You can learn more about our systems here: https://moba-automation.com/crane-lifter

A protected harbour crane still in daily use today

by Sebastian SchlesiesBlog, Crane & Lifter, Road ConstructionPosted on Comments are Disabled

A protected harbour crane still in daily use today

The historic town of Lindau on Lake Constance is famous for its lighthouse and for the lion standing right next to it at the entrance to the dockside. It is definitely worth a visit to this beautiful old town with its picturesque scenery located on a peninsula.The docks also offer a unique highlight for people interested in technology – the Derrick harbour crane.

This is still in use today to lift boats out of or into Lake Constance. Ancient greeks are known to have worked with a hoist, very similar to a Derrick crane

In most cases, the basic structure of the derrick crane consists of a steel strut construction, which looks like a supported A (shown in orange) and which allows a high load capacity. The jib (marked green) is pivotable and a pulley block (purple) is attached to the tip of the jib to control the extension/reach. The load is lifted and lowered by another pulley system (magenta). In the case of Lindau, the winch for lifting and lowering the load is located in the machine room.

Built in 1936, the derrick crane is equipped with a 30 ton winch and easily lifts boats of up to 15 meters long. The actual lifting capacity has been reduced to 9 tons for this protected crane. The load winch for lifting the boats can now be operated either with a cable-bound control system, or it is still possible to control the winch directly from the engine room. On the other hand, the adjustment of the jib is still done with a hand crank!
The crane also shows how innovative the company was back then. There are deflection rollers on the crane mast, which need to be lubricated from time to time. In order to avoid having to carry the lubricant with you when you climb up, there are lubricant depots at the crucial points which are filled. By turning a screw, the desired amount of lubricant can be pressed out of the depot and placed directly on the affected area. Even today the crane is still lubricated in this way. Do you know of any particularly interesting cranes or lifting platforms from days gone by that are still in use today?