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ACCESSORIES / SENSORS I INTERVIEW

Hall 7A

Stand 402

Solutions for mobile automation.

"If it works on a construction machine it will work anywhere"

With incremental and absolute

encoders, linear measuring

technology and counting

technology, the Kübler Company

offers interesting solutions for the

mobile automation market

segment. Mobile Maschinen

discussed this topic with Dipl.-Ing.

(FH), MBA Markus Brunner,

Branch Manager Mobile

Automation at Fritz Kübler GmbH.

Why is the market segment of the mobile machinery so important for your Company?

The automation of mobile machines is

increasingly gaining importance, together

with the technical safety requirements.

Machines become faster, more efficient and

safer. Kübler offers a comprehensive portfolio

of sensor for measuring and monitoring

positions and motions. This covers very well

the requirements of this market segment. The

Functional Safety and the Transmission

Technology products, as well as the

electromechanical counters, complete this

portfolio. This is why this market segment is

of particular interest for Kübler. As Branch

manager, my task is to keep an eye on these

requirements to make sure that the Company

will always be able to offer the right products.

We have been quite successful so far, but we

are of course still expanding our portfolio.

The know-how gained in this segment over

the years allows us to offer professional

advice.

According to you, what are the

specificities of the mobile automation

market segment?

Compared with general (factory) automation,

mobile automation has specific requirements.

The differences resulting from the

environment, such as requirements due to the

climate or to shocks and vibrations are

obvious. The vehicles are generally operating

outdoors on roads, in fields, in the forest or on

construction sites, and are therefore exposed

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to tough environmental conditions. The

sensors must be proven for it. Other

particularities only become visible at a

second glance, e.g. requirements for reliable

operation in the on-board network. The CEM

requirements in mobile machines also are

different from those of "normal" automation.

How does your Company solve the

tasks resulting from this?

Some products such as our inclinometers or

the magnetic encoders with SAE-J1939

protocol have been developed specially for

this application. Other products are being

developed as basic platforms, and receive

then specific features for the mobile

automation market. Examples for this are the

encoder variants with improved protection

level up to IP69k or particular housing

materials as they are used in snow clearing

equipment or fertilizer sprayers. Generally,

most of the requirements of this industry are

higher, and this is why they are taken into

consideration right from the beginning of the

development. The motto is: "If it works on a

construction machine it will work anywhere".

Normal protection level tests relating to the

penetration of moisture are carried out with

water. Taking the example of fire-fighting

vehicles, this is obviously not sufficient. Fire-

fighting vehicles require also protection

against extinguishing fluids. Extinguishing

fluids include additives that break the surface

tension so that they penetrate easier in cracks.

This must of course be considered already

during the design phase.

Robust and cost-effective – Encoder Sendix M36 Kübler completes its portfolio in the area of optical absolute multiturn encoders

with a new series of magnetic multiturn encoders. The new Sendix M36 series

stands out with its compact 36 mm size, its robust construction and its high

IP67 protection level. The magnetic technology ensures cost-efficient and

reliable use in harsh environments. Their specific quality features predestine

the Sendix M36 encoders for applications in the mobile automation area. In this

specific branch, the technical requirements, but also the increasing cost

pressure play a significant role.

The devices have a sturdy die-cast housing. Together with the stable Safety-

Lock™ bearing design, this housing contributes significantly to the robustness

against vibrations and installation errors. The magnetic scanning makes these

devices insensitive to dust and condensation. In addition, the wide temperature

range of -40°C to +85 °C and the high protection level IP67 ensure highest

strength. Its compact 36 mm size allows a blind hollow shaft reaching 10 mm.

Also solid shaft variants are available.

With a total resolution of 36 bits obtained from the combination of a multiturn

encoder with a maximum resolution of 24 bits and a high-accuracy singleturn

stage reaching a 12-bit resolution, the new encoders of the Sendix M36 series

offer a particular versatility that opens up a wide range of new application areas.

The devices feature CANopen or 4…20 mA and 0…10 V analog outputs. These

are considered to be the standard interfaces in mobile automation. An SSI

interface is also available. Thanks to the magnetic Energy-Harvesting technology,

cost-efficiency and compactness can be combined in one device.

With this new series of magnetic absolute

multiturn encoders, a magnetic technology

finds its place besides the gear technology and

the patented Intelligent-Scan-Technology™.

Kübler offers now

the right technology, that is to say the right

multiturn encoder, for every application.

Which trends do you detect in the

market segment of mobile machinery

and which effects will they have on

your Company in the future?

Video of Markus Brunner

This link allows you to see and hear what Markus Brunner says, among others, about the encoder Sendix M36.

As mentioned previously, automation and

safety monitoring are increasing sectors.

These trends must be assessed differently

according to the areas. While the basic vehicle

itself relies increasingly on automotive

sensors, the superstructures and the work

equipment use mechanical engineering

components. These are obviously positive

trends for Kübler as a supplier of components

for mechanical engineering. OEMs have a

more global position. And many things are

happening from the consolidation point of

view. Even though Kübler is a medium-size

company, it fulfils all prerequisites for

providing customers with the required

technical support and the necessary logistic

infrastructure. On top of all, I must say that

the building industry always is doing well

somewhere.

Mister Brunner, many thanks for this

interview

Interview conducted by Michael Pfister,

Chief Editor of the trade magazine Mobile

Maschinen.

Works photographs: Fritz Kübler GmbH,

78054 Villingen-Schwenningen

https://vimeo.com/108883512

www.kuebler.com

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