Industry 4.0 offers fantastic opportunities to work more economically, more efficiently and more safely. It's not always easy for a company to enter the networked world and seize the opportunities on offer. After visiting the Putzmeister stand at Bauma 2019, anyone open to this idea will be wiser and can look to the future with more confidence. And this, assures the company, is only the start, a part of something big. What the Aichtal-based construction machine manufacturer will show there – for the visitors to experience live – are simply clever solutions, such as the machine cockpit which promises, through connectivity – reliable networking – less downtime, higher productivity and, thanks to real-time information and an overview of all relevant operating figures, more safety and efficiency. "We want our customers to experience digitalisation as a gain. No matter how complex our developments in this sector are, they remain simple to use. Ultimately, it's purely about giving them the means to keep control and an overview at all times and to work as efficiently as possible with our machines", emphasises Sebastian Fuhrich, Director Innovation Factory.

Ergonic® 2.0 control – Intelligence in the interest of perfect functionality

Ergonic^® is the control centre that watches over all functions of pumps, mixers, placing booms and support. The user is not normally aware of this complexity, since intuitive operation gives the sense that the machine is operating (almost) autonomously.

What exactly does Ergonic® 2.0 offer? The efficient control ensures that the machines are quickly ready for use and that the processes occur in an extremely productive, low-wear and fuel-saving manner. Various modules, depending on application, are in use:

EBC (Ergonic® Boom Control): Controls and regulates the movements of the concrete placing booms. The result is a higher placing capability, the operation is simple and safe.

EPS (Ergonic® Pump System): Handles the control of the concrete pump to ensure optimised and low-wear pumping process.

EOC (Ergonic® Output Control): Controls the optimum engine speed for fuel-saving, gentle and quiet operation of the concrete pump.

ESC (Ergonic® Setup Control): The Putzmeister safety system, which controls the interaction between support, boom and pump and ensures flexible and safe full and narrow support.

HMI (Human Machine Interface) – safe operation, fast reactions

Ergonic^® 2.0 not only controls processes, it is the link between man and machine. And so it can be operated simply and safely. The central control allows all functions to be executed via ergonomic radio remote control. The EGD (Ergonic® Graphic Display) provides all relevant machine data in real time. This allows the machine operator to keep a complete overview at all times and to respond quickly if parameters change. Specifically: Operation is more convenient and errors are reduced to the minimum. The operator is optimally supported in his tasks.

Connectivity – Impressive transparency thanks to information in real time

One of the most important levers for companies is transparency in all areas. The Putzmeister machine cockpit is one milestone along this journey. The means: The complete networking of truck-mounted concrete-pumps – Keyword: Connectivity. All relevant information for the machine can be called up in real time. In addition, the machine cockpit also forms the basis for integrating machine data into an expanded eco system as part Building Information Modelling (BIM). The information centre, then, offers maximum safety and service in addition to highly-efficient fleet management. The company keeps a complete overview of its fleet and therefore its assets at all times. To relieve the operator and prevent input errors, this takes place fully automatically. The benefits are clear:

• Warning messages for critical states, remote diagnosis of machine faults as well as automatic maintenance planning reduces costly downtimes.

• Real time information and the overview of all relevant operating figures, such as output, machine usage and fuel consumption, improve planning and ensure high productivity.

• The warning messages when vacating work areas protect the investment. This is because the remote service reduces the risk of theft or allows a quicker response.

The best thing is: Customers who buy a new machine equipped with Ergonic® 2.0 will soon have all these benefits as standard. As of Bauma 2019, this module will be included in the basic equipment. Older machines, though, can also be retrofitted without a problem.

Additional information on all Putzmeister solutions to be presented at Bauma 2019 can be found at the Putzmeister trade fair stands in Hall B6.