WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – TECHNOLOGY
Machine intelligence KOMATSU HAS RELEASED A SIGNIFICANT UPDATE TO ITS INTELLIGENT MACHINE CONTROL (IMC) TECHNOLOGY, KNOWN AS IMC 2.0. IT DELIVERS MAJOR PRODUCTIVITY, EFFICIENCY AND COST SAVING ADVANTAGES TO LATEST MODEL “INTELLIGENT” DOZERS AND EXCAVATORS.
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he new intelligent Machine Control (iMC) 2.0 technology is available on the just-released D71EXi/PXi-24 and D61EXi/ PXi-24 dozers and PC210LCi-11, PC290LCi-11 and PC360LCi-11 excavators, further advancing their automation capabilities. iMC 2.0 significantly enhances iMC dozer operations on slopes and features all-new “intelligent” high-resolution, touchscreen monitors, purpose designed for each machine type to provide accurate displays of operating conditions and the job site design. Operators can customise split-screen views to provide optimum views of what they want to focus on, while an easy-to-use, multi-touch navigation system provides real-time information on bulk earthmoving, grading, digging, and finishing. All these combine to ensure greater accuracy and increased response speeds, according to Aaron Marsh, Komatsu’s National Product and Solution Manager with its Smart Construction and Integrated Machine Control Division. “Our new iMC 2.0 products, services and digital solutions incorporate a host of advanced machine technologies – some exclusive to Komatsu – allowing users to integrate sophisticated productivity-enhancing automation
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Lift Layer Control and Tilt Steering Control are both exclusive features of Komatsu’s iMC 2.0 technology.
and cutting-edge job site design into their operations,” Aaron says. “By applying Komatsu dantotsu (unique and unrivalled) principles, this latest technology delivers distinct benefits with automated and semi-automated dozer and excavator operations.” FEATURES Available initially on Komatsu’s new D71EXi/PXi-24 and D61EXi/PXi-24 dozers, iMC 2.0 automatically controls the blade so that it closely follows the target surface, controlling cut depth while avoiding track shoe-slip. Exclusive features of iMC 2.0 on dozers include Lift Layer Control and Tilt Steering Control. With Lift Layer Control, the dozer automatically spreads fill material from existing areas of the work site with the
press of a button, then measures the terrain it’s tracking over – and uses that data to plan the next pass. “This feature allows the design surface to be created from as-built data, and can cover lift work,” Aaron says. “Compared with conventional dozing practices, production rates are doubled, plus – because it’s 100 per cent automatic while automatics are engaged – each layer is completely consistent and accurate.” The one-touch Tilt Steering Control feature frees the operator from having to steer the dozer to maintain a straight heading, by continuously and automatically tilting the blade as required to maintain straightline travel. “This results in greatly reduced operator fatigue and increased comfort.