Ride along20 April 2020

The complex task of designing and specifying mobile plant can be simplified by using an online configurator. These systems vary in sophistication and detail, but ultimately allow users to design and customise to individual need. OE takes a look at a few examples being utilised across industry

Type the words ‘vehicle configurator’ into a search engine and a range of car brands emerge, such as Land Rover, Ford, Nissan and Audi. “Configure your dream vehicle,” states one car maker. “Jump into our car configurator, choose your model, engine, and get creative,” another says.

In simple terms, a configurator is a piece of software for designing products that are tailored to the needs of a customer. It allows customers to add or change functionalities of a product or create a completely custom product. In the car world, for example, this type of online service gives users the opportunity to select a car model and customise a variety of external aspects, such as paint colour, wheel size and grill design, and internal aspects, such as seat fabric, dashboard trim, and technology display options.

A quick online browse can also produce results for a range of other powered and non-powered transportation, including bicycles, skateboards, motorbikes, vans, and trucks.

For an engineer, manager or business owner working with mobile plant, such as forklift trucks (FLTs), tractors or construction equipment, having the right asset for the job at hand is vital in terms of operational efficiency, safety and environmental responsibility. Mobile plant manufacturers and suppliers typically offer face-to-face, online and telephone support to their commercial customers. Just browsing the websites of a few well-known mobile plant makers, for example, can produce results for a range of different machines, model types, and their specifications.

Additional options may also be offered in the form of add-ons, brochures and downloadable information PDFs, while specific queries and price requests can also be submitted. However, some also offer online configurators – with varying degrees of sophistication. The following are just a few brief examples of suppliers and manufacturers utilising online configurators for mobile plant operators and owners. Many more can be found online.

Image credit: Pituk / stock.adobe.com

SELECT & BUILD
One simplistic configurator comes from Forklift International, an online marketplace whereby interested parties can browse for new and second-hand FLTs, attachments and work platforms. Its configurator has a four-stage process: select type of equipment; select dealer and manufacturer; features; and request offer.

To begin with, users are presented with a range of FLT and warehouse equipment icons and must select the type of machinery they are interested in, such as container handlers, diesel, LPG or electric FLTs or rough terrain FLTs, to name a few. The second stage involves picking the users’ country of origin and typing in a postcode. This in turn produces a list of nearby dealers and the manufacturing brands offered. Multiple options can be selected.

Stage three, meanwhile, is where the user can specify the features that they wish their new machinery to include. The configurator asks for details such as the number of machines required, capacity and operating time per shift, as well as the mast type, lifting height and tyre type. Extras and attachments can also be specified from a drop-down menu. The final stage involves filling in a data form, requesting an offer and waiting for the selected dealers to get in touch.

A more sophisticated approach can be found on the website of John Deere. Marketed under ‘Build your own’, the configurator appears to be a step-up in terms of visuals and presents users with a series of customisation steps – select, build (options and attachments), summary and quote.

Users are first asked to choose a product from a range of images, including agriculture, forestry and construction equipment. After clicking through a range of sub-categories and picking a model, the build process can commence. A variety of options dependent on the model selected, such as engine type and connectivity, are displayed and can be changed by the user. Attachments can also be added, for example, optional attachments for an excavator may include different bucket and hydraulic options.

Finally, once the user has designed their wanted asset, it is displayed along with the selected options and attachments in list format. Users can also download the summary in PDF format and have access to a payment calculator. Once happy, a quote can be submitted.

X-HEAD: 3D & INTERACTIVE
A rapid development in the automotive and transportation world in recent years has revolved around electric and hybrid systems. More and more manufacturers are looking to such technology in order to combat issues such as air pollution and fossil fuel consumption. In fact, OE highlighted some of the most current electric mobile plant developments earlier this year.

Among the many players in this arena is Danfoss Editron, a developer and manufacturer of power systems for heavy-duty vehicles, machines and marine vessels. In February, it released a 3D configurator that allows users to design their own electric or hybrid vehicle and customise it to their individual needs. The toolwas launched as part of the company’s latest offerings in its growing digital portfolio and aims to help increase the ease and pace of electrification.

Danfoss Editron released a 3D configurator in February that allows users to design their own electric or hybrid vehicle.

“This is a 3D configurator that helps you to visualise the electric drivetrain components and to build hybrid and electric system architectures for your machines,” the eConfigurator states. “To configure your electric system, you start by choosing an application you are electrifying. The configurator will guide you to choose the required components for each machine. It will also show you the direct benefits of each system.”

Various application types and sizes are available to choose from, including wheel loader, telehandler and container carrier. 'More applications are coming soon,' it adds. Different system architecture elements such as drivetrain models, battery packs and converters are also listed. Users can also compare the benefits of their configuration to conventional hydraulic solutions in areas such as fuel consumption and productivity.

Ultimately these online systems – regardless of their sophistication – have been created to aid in asset specification and selection by giving users more of a say and more of an insight into their new machinery. With an ever-increasing focus on the ‘bottom line’, as well as safety, monitoring and the environment, configurators have become a go-to tool for end users who want more of a say into the way their assets are designed and built.

Adam Offord

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