DIGITAL REVOLUTION

GERMAN ENGINEERING SOFTWARE COMPANY IFM EFECTOR IS IMPLEMENTING DATA-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT THE WASTE SECTOR FOR THE NEXT GENERATION. T his year’s Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo (AWRE) spruiks the tagline “a world of solutions driving change” and focuses on resetting thinking and reenergising communities.

German engineering software and equipment manufacturers ifm efector has been a supporter of AWRE for years and it is the company’s own focus on developing extraordinary solutions that drives them to be a part of the waste sector’s evolution.

Ifm provides automation products for refuse applications which comprise position, object recognition, fluid sensors, bus and identification systems and control and connection technology.

Glenn Thornton, National Product and Brand Manager at ifm efector Australia, says AWRE helps the company stay abreast of industry trends and collaborate with original equipment manufacturers.

“We find industry participants are looking for the next technology to stay at the cutting edge of productivity,” Glenn explains.

One of ifm’s key offerings at AWRE will be high level safety systems such as programmable logic controllers (PLC) for rear lift bins and crushers.

Glenn says ifm’s expertise within Australia allows it to offer mobile equipment suitable for municipal waste collection.

“We have full-time staff in Australia dedicated to their products. Our advice is consultative in how to go about getting a more sophisticated vehicle that is intuitive enough to give an understanding of what is going on in the vehicle,” Glenn says.

“We do a lot of research and training globally and offer that to our customers with a strong support network.”

He says ifm PLC systems carry a TUV safety rating – a unique accreditation unheard of in the mobile equipment space supported by a water- and dust-proof design.

“ifm’s key point of difference in PLC is its robust nature in being able to handle screen temperatures of -40°C to -80°C Celsius.

“Also it’s able to handle extraordinary vibration levels so it doesn’t have to be mounted in the cab. It can be mounted to the side of a vehicle.”

He says that OEMs and councils can use the system to dial in via TeamViewer, understand the cause of any equipment failures and ensure any issues are rectified.

“For a machine builder like an OEM that is building this type of machinery, we can offer features that add to the robust nature of the machine reducing downtime to zero, anticipate errors or see inside a vehicle in real time via TeamViewer.

“Real time maintenance is one of the biggest features among uptime and efficiency.”

He says that ifm will also showcase suction vehicles for infrastructure works, mobile wood chipping machines and elevated work platforms to support council projects.

Ifm also offers 3D technology to provide intuitive information inside and outside of a vehicle and avoid collision.

Glenn says that it’s critical all of the most pertinent safety components are addressed before a vehicle takes off. “We will continue to listen to our customer base and machine builders to ensure we provide the latest safety systems,” he says. OEMs and councils can dial in via TeamViewer to ensure any issues with its systems are rectified. One of ifm’s key offerings will be high level safety systems.