Mobile Machinery Controls
The next generation of electrified, automated mobile machinery.
Automating Tasks Requires Innovative System Designs
A growing, aging, and urbanizing world population, limited labor in key sectors, and increased regulation is driving the need for increased productivity and efficiency. At the same time, many industries are looking to remove people from hazardous and remote work environments. Both of these challenges will be met with a new generation of mobile machinery.
Moog is adapting our capabilities in high performance motion control, harsh environment operation, and safety critical applications specifically for the next generation of electrified and automated mobile machinery. In addition, we are forming new partnerships and developing new capabilities in the areas of visual perception, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems. Finally, we are applying our extensive systems integration capabilities to tie all this together to enable substantial improvements to productivity and efficiency.
Automation for Walking Excavators
A walking excavator has 4 legs, each with 3 degrees of freedom that enable the machine to move through and stabilize in very difficult terrain. That flexibility comes with the cost of complex operator controls. As a result, training periods are long, and very few people can operate the machine productively and safely. To simplify control of the vehicle, Moog works with ETH Zurich University & Menzi Muck to implement a fully automated chassis control system that adjusts to the changing terrain to maintain a stable cabin orientation and ensure machine stability. The solution required force control and a closed loop response rate an order of magnitude better than is typical for mobile machinery. The result is a reduction in operator training time and increased productivity. The solution is also enabling completely new uses for the machine such as tele-operation for hazardous or remote environments.
High Response Integrated Control Axis
Integrated axis capable of closed loop position, force, velocity control
- Position and force sensing
- CAN/ETHERCAT Communications interface
- High dynamic control valve and electronics
- SIL 2 safety architecture
Automating tasks performed by mobile machinery puts unique new demands on the machine’s control system. Most controls products available for mobile machinery are not designed for automation and therefore lack the sensing and performance necessary to change from a human operator to a closed loop control system. Moog integrated hydraulic axis was designed from the ground up for automation applications. The highly integrated solution includes all communication and control electronics, a high response control valve, pressure and position sensing, and built-in safety stop functionality. This design simplifies the hydraulic and electric architecture of the machine and enables precise control of force, position, and velocity. The integrated axis solution is ideal for dynamic application such as active suspension, stabilization, digging, and drilling.
