Mobile machines: robustness put to the test
Whether on construction sites, in mines, on the road or on the field: Wherever mobile machines are used, they have to withstand external influences day in, day out. And so do the automation products that make modern mobile machines so effective. But how robust are our products really? And how do we support our customers when it comes to cybersecurity? Our rigorous tests provide insightful answers, as do our guests from TÜV Rheinland and ifm.
Topics of this edition
- Overview: It goes without saying that automation products have to be robust. But what does “robust” mean these days, when data is not only used by the controller in the machine itself, but also in the cloud? (0:00 – 6:35)
- Field test: Dust, water, heat, cold, impacts: Our products for mobile machines can withstand a lot. But how much exactly? We push them to their limits in a field test. Or even beyond? (6:36 – 21:02)
- Expert talk: How well must (and can) mobile machines be protected against cyber attacks? What legal requirements will soon have to be observed? What are the major challenges ahead? Guests: Joerg Krämer and Georg Engelmann. (21:03 – 39:22)
Host
Guests
Leading the Mobile & Mining Machine industry for ifm, Gareth Lavery brings an open-door attitude, sharing and learning from the company’s most important attribute: its customers.
Driven by technology and a passion for automation, he seamlessly integrates this hobby and interest into his professional life. Gareth is impressed by the scale and technological adaptation of heavy mobile machines, and he loves learning from customers to support future business and technology development. With 10 years of experience in the industry and 21 years in industrial electrical and electronic engineering, Gareth always brings a fresh perspective and vision for solutions. He sees the future of ifm ecomat mobile solutions continuing to pioneer the market, setting new standards, and aspires to have ifm on every moving machine.
Since 2018, Georg Engelmann has been working on control technology for mobile machines. He started in academia (laboratory for mobile machinery, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences), then transitioned to industry (forsys GmbH, ifm system integrator). Since 2020, he has been part of ifm.
As Director Product Management Control Systems, he is responsible for identifying market requirements and trends and defining future products. In addition to ensuring high quality, reducing complexity and focussing on the essentials is particularly important to him.
Florian König can look back on over a decade of experience in the automation industry. He started his career in automation technology in the packaging industry, where he focussed on motion control and real-time communication. He then went on to specialise in industrial IoT and machine-to-machine integration in control systems.
He has been part of the ifm mobile machines team since 2018 and is responsible for the area of robust HMIs as Director. With his in-depth understanding of industrial communication and mobile HMIs, he develops innovative concepts that meet the increasing requirements of the industry.
As Product Manager for mobile IoT and software solutions at the ifm group of companies, Patrick Bühner acts as an interface between various departments, such as development and sales, to create innovative solutions in the field of the Internet of Things.
His academic background in electrical engineering and industrial engineering complements his practical experience and enables him to combine technical expertise with business acumen. With his passion for pioneering technologies, he is helping to drive forward the digital transformation.
Joerg Krämer specialises in functional safety and has more than 30 years of professional experience in the automation and process industry. He studied at the renowned University of Applied Sciences in Siegen and is a member of several working groups on functional safety and cybersecurity, e.g. DKE AK914.0.10 Science teaching of Functional Safety and DKE TBINK AK IT-Security. In product development, his focus is on hardware and software design and development for machine applications and for the automotive industry.
Krämer is also a sought-after conference speaker on cybersecurity and functional safety, e.g. at S4, KIACS, CONVENT etc. He regularly moderates the TÜV Rheinland Functional Safety and Cybersecurity Symposium.
