Hitachi Construction Machinery
Proemion enabled Hitachi Construction Machinery to offer the "Solution Linkage MG" 3D machine guidance system with uninterrupted ±1 cm precision.
Customer
Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
Solution
Local Telematics for OEMs
Industry
Construction Machinery
The Goal
Proemion is proud to announce our collaboration with Hitachi Construction Machinery on their data-driven construction system’s first of three stages, the “Solution Linkage MG”, which adds 3D machine guidance capabilities to the 20-tonne ZX200-7 hydraulic excavator. This case study highlights how Proemion's CANlink® wireless 4000 enabled Hitachi Construction Machinery to achieve unprecedented precision for 3D machine guidance, ensuring operational continuity and reliability even in the harshest of conditions.
Hitachi Construction Machinery aimed to overcome the limitations of GNSS technology utilized in the "Solution Linkage MG" system when operating in environments where GNSS reception is poor or unavailable. It was also an objective to maintain ±1 cm precision for machine guidance at all conditions, which is not practically achievable with even the most advanced of high-precision GNSS technology.
The challenges
To address these goals, it became clear that a Robotic Total Station should be employed, communicating with the machine guidance system, and providing it with uninterrupted real-time 3D coordinate data.
Since the Total Station would have to be positioned at some distance from the operating excavator, it was clear data transmission had to be wireless.
This posed two key challenges:
- Specialized Data Transmission:
Total Station coordinate data can be transmitted to other systems via a Total Station Controller, which can send the data over Bluetooth. However, this coordinate data is encoded in a proprietary format, necessitating the development of specialized software to ensure compatibility with the machine guidance system. - Harsh Environmental Conditions:
The wireless interface would need to be mounted on the exterior of the excavator to maximize the range of the Total Station Controller. This setup required the wireless interface to withstand severe weather conditions.
Essentially, the wireless interface would need to withstand the harshest of environments as per Hitachi Construction Machinery's rigorous real-world testing that is in place to maintain their market reputation for quality.
The solution
Proemion's CANlink® wireless 4000 emerged as the ideal solution to meet Hitachi Construction Machinery's stringent requirements. Here’s how it addressed the challenges:
- Custom Firmware Development:
Proemion’s embedded development team adapted the firmware of the CANlink® wireless 4000 to handle the proprietary data format of the Total Station. This customization ensured seamless and accurate transmission of 3D coordinate data to the “Solution Linkage MG” system. Moreover, Proemion’s long history and experience in custom embedded system development allowed the project to be completed on time and within the allocated budget. - Robust Housing:
The CANlink® wireless 4000’s housing, which shares its design features with Proemion’s CANlink® mobile 3600 and 10000 series of telematics gateways, has been designed after listening very closely to the needs of our long-term off-highway heavy machinery customers. With the housing’s IP6K7 ingress protection, and -40 − +80 °C (-40 − +176 °F) operating temperature it is capable of enduring extreme conditions and successfully passed Hitachi Construction Machinery's rigorous environmental testing.
Outcome
With Proemion’s CANlink® wireless 4000, successfully integrated with Hitachi Construction Machinery’s "Solution Linkage MG" system, Hitachi Construction Machinery is able to offer the highest possible precision to the ZX200-7 hydraulic excavator’s 3D guidance under all conditions at all times, while maintaining the highest standards of quality their customers have come expect from them.
Conclusion
With this collaboration, Proemion is established as a trusted partner in Asia, after our long history of closely working together with European and North American machinery OEMs.
Proemion’s collaboration with Hitachi Construction Machinery showcases the importance of robust and adaptable wireless solutions in advancing construction technology. The CANlink® wireless 4000 proved to be a critical component in delivering reliable wireless connectivity, setting a new standard for the construction industry.
This case study reflects Hitachi’s experience with Proemion’s solutions but is not meant to be a formal promotion. Hitachi does not guarantee the quality or performance of Proemion’s products.
Learn more about the project and our local telematics solution
