Automation and control systems have undergone a technological revolution, becoming smarter, more effective, and revolutionary.
Raghavendra Borelli
Local Business Unit – Sales Director (Bangalore & Chennai Region), B&R Automation
What technological advancements has your company introduced in automation and control systems for construction equipment?
Industrial automation systems rely heavily on effective connectivity as a foundational element. This connectivity facilitates the gathering of crucial data necessary for controlling machinery and processes, monitoring, conducting analyses, and implementing necessary adjustments. Here, IO-Link plays an important role as an open communication standard for connecting sensors and actuators. It simplifies the integration to any new or existing system and makes it flexible for the future. As today’s sensors become more intelligent by adopting digital parameter sets, To streamline connectivity and reduce cabling, B&R now enables direct linkage of these smart sensors to IO-Link. Here, IO-Link replaces all kinds of analog, digital and hybrid interfaces with one standardized interface. B&R has also introduced a new 8-channel X67 IO-Link Master, which integrates seamlessly on the distributed backplane in the existing machine architecture and can also be integrated into the fieldbus. This highly modular B&R solution helps OEMs drastically improve performance and fully leverage data from smart sensors, while at the same time reducing hardware costs and saving valuable space in the machine.
How do your automation and control systems contribute to improving efficiency, safety, and overall performance of the equipment?
Looking at the pace at which urbanisation in cities is taking place; the demand for construction vehicles has surged in recent years. To aid this development, B&R offers scalable, high-performance automation solutions for construction equipment, municipal vehicles, and agriculture applications. The Automation PC 3100 mobile with IP69K protection is specially designed for use in harsh environments and it empowers vehicles with new functions while ensuring efficiency and quality. Whether it’s a truck or other construction machinery, B&R’s automation systems enable seamless data exchange and coordination. Additionally, safety remains a top priority in the realm of mobile machines, and B&R addresses this concern with its state-of-the-art X90 safety control and I/O system. This system provides scalable safety features, supplemented by additional I/Os, interfaces, and advanced condition monitoring capabilities. By anticipating potential failures through vibration monitoring, B&R enables proactive maintenance, ensuring uninterrupted operation and maximising overall performance.
What challenges do you face in the development and implementation of automation and control systems for construction equipment in the Indian market?
Modern processes and emerging technologies are of great interest to machine builders, and construction businesses worldwide are seeking new ways to improve their operations by embracing innovative ideas and engaging with new approaches. But there seems to be quite a gap in understanding the technology and choosing the right one to benefit their businesses. As per reports there are few key innovative emerging trends determined for the productivity of sector and that includes sustainable construction practices. With recent construction industry forums, we have witnessed machine manufacturers inclination towards adapting to innovations but determining a right channel towards building a strong background needs a strong partner and construction industry erudite. Recognizing this need, we at B&R have embarked on a journey to empower machine builders with the knowledge and proficiency needed to thrive in an era defined by cutting-edge automation. Through strategic collaborations and training initiatives, we aim to equip our partners with the skills necessary to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of construction technology with confidence and finesse.
What trends do you foresee in the future of automation and control systems for construction equipment in India?
Automation and control systems have undergone a technological revolution, becoming smarter, more effective, and revolutionary. They now offer remarkable performance with precision and sophisticated features, surpassing earlier boundaries. A world of new opportunities has been shaped by the advancement that has brought in the era of automation, Digitalisation, machine learning, and connected systems. Apart from implementation of IIoT that stands for the Industrial Internet of Things, which facilitates data collection and exchange through device and system interconnection. AI is being used in control systems to facilitate quick and accurate decision-making. Real-time data analysis gives AI the capacity to foresee problems and offer proactive solutions, improving performance, safety, and dependability. As a result, this method lowers maintenance costs and downtime. AI is useful in control systems for adaptive control algorithms and predictive maintenance. AI algorithms forecasts maintenance requirements, saving time and money with the use of sensors and data analysis to optimize system performance in real time, increasing productivity and lowering energy usage.
