Hübschmann: lifts with integrated future technology

Hübschmann Aufzüge GmbH & Co.KG is one of the users of Bucher Hydraulics' intelligent iValve valve technology with CANopen-Lift interface.

Christoph Piorek, authorised signatory since 2009 of the lift specialist based in Korbach (Germany), explained the extent to which the company is already prepared for the future networking of lift components.

Hübschmann Aufzüge has 130 employees and has been producing its own lifts as well as components for other manufacturers’ lifts for over 40 years. The SME family-run company also provides complete coverage of the service area. In addition, the company’s own design & development department allows it to realise special customer requirements at short notice.

What made up your mind to opt for the iValve with CANopen-Lift from Bucher Hydraulics?
Piorek: The primary reason was the modern technology. The intelligent control algorithms are available in the iValve hydraulic drive and the function of an additional safety valve is already integrated. Instead of just relying on a gut feeling ‘to tighten a screw’ as in the past, settings are purely electronic, which means the setting data is reproducible and easy to document. On top of this, analytical tools like travel curve recorders and data memory facilitate troubleshooting in the event of any problems.

Is a technology like this with its networking options just what you’ve been waiting for?
Piorek: Yes, you could say so, because given the increasing use of electronics in lift building, the CANopen-Lift standard helps to make using different components from different manufacturers in combination possible. Up to now, drive systems often required handheld terminals of their own or even a PC for convenient start-up and maintenance.

If the control makes it possible to realise the operating terminal for the drive, this is far more convenient. Triggering via the CANopen bus system means the wiring work in our controller structure can be reduced to the security circuit. The controller card is integrated and runs in the CAN bus.

What are the advantages for you as lift manufacturer of the new valve technology in terms of installation or start-up and with regard to maintenance and the maintenance concept?
Piorek: First, the pre-set drives with self-learning optimisation permit fast start-up at the customer and this often eliminates the need to send a "system specialist" to the site. Given the lack of well-trained specialists, this is very important for our company. In addition, the technology also has advantages for maintenance.

Integration in the bus system of the controller permits remote access to the drive system. This in turn permits detailed remote error analysis. Moreover, we can detect any problems arising early on and even before they actually have an effect. For us, this is in turn what enables us to successfully implement topics in the service area, like condition-based maintenance or the even more far-reaching predictive maintenance.

www.huebschmann-aufzuege.de

CANopen-Lift interface for more efficiency