We asked Michele Aparo, Business Development Manager for aerial platforms and similar applications, to give us some insights about these applications. Here are his answers!

Question: What are platform products and what advantages/disadvantages do they have?

Answer: Platform products can be used to compose and develop a system for aerial platforms and other machines. Advantages are that there are several series of controllers with many different possibilities as inputs / outputs available. This allows to choose the right controller for a specific machine. When we talk about aerial platforms we need, of course, two micro controllers for safety issues and certification according to the standards. Another big advantage of platform applications is definitely the option to program in CoDeSys.

A very interesting NEW feature for aerial platforms is definitely the HMI (human machine interface).This seems to be very attractive to users. The concept of being modular allows to design the console in the bucket according to users' needs, A CANBUS output avoids adding a unit and it needs less cables.

Question: What customers and industries most benefit from a platform product application?

Answer: The main advantage is that movements are blocked in dangerous situations and that it prevents the machine from turning over. Other functions, that cannot be done hydraulically, such as automatic closing of the machine, automatic self leveling of the chassis and more…can be done with an electronic system.

Question: How many different applications are possible?

Answer: Any machine with a distributor hydraulic, engine,wheels and crawlers can be done with an electronic system and platform products. Examples are agriculture machines, aerport machine, track crane mountain machines, firetruck aerial platforms, cranes and multiple more.

Question: How long does it take to create and implement a new application?

Answer: This depends on the type of machine, how complex the machine is and how many functions are required. Some machines can be done in a couple of days, others may take several months.

Question: How easy is it to create an application and what expertise is needed from customer-side?

Answer: There is not really any easy application possible in particular for aerial platform machines. The software for safety features require a lot of attention considering that there are people in the bucket and their safety has of course highest priority. The customer training plays a very important role when the application is finished. After the prototype and validation process is done and the product has serial status then the customer takes over. The customer is then in charge of loading the correct software for the right machine, calibrating the machine, and controlling all functions.

Michele, thank you so much for that great information! What are your experiences with applications like this? What other machines are these applications suitable for?