Digital assistants for speedier repairs: SMART BOX and SMART EYE from PALFINGER

PALFINGER has introduced two digital tools, the SMART BOX diagnostic tool and SMART EYE augmented reality glasses, to make it easier for service technicians to search for faults on access platforms and speed up repairs should the worst happen. This goes to show how proactively PALFINGER is exploiting the opportunities offered by digitalisation when it comes to innovation.

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SMART BOX and SMART EYE are two new tools from PALFINGER, developed to facilitate the work of service partners and technicians. They help to diagnose faults more quickly and support all possible repairs. Thereby they minimise access platform downtimes and help customers and service partners to save time and money. "Digitalisation is opening up new opportunities. These innovative tools will make troubleshooting easier. And thanks to SMART EYE, service technicians can directly involve PALFINGER's specialists in the repair process," says Helge Kost, Head of Service International at PALFINGER Platforms GmbH, summarising the benefits for users. These new digital assistants minimise diagnostic and repair times.

Intelligent troubleshooting with SMART BOX

The SMART BOX diagnostic tool was developed in-house by PALFINGER with the aim of speeding up troubleshooting. The new tool combines experiences from PALFINGER’ development and service activities and customer feedback. The handy box is easy to connect to access platform components. SMART BOX locates faults quickly and in a targeted manner. "An access platform is fitted with up to 80 sensors. Up to now, technicians had to perform inspections with new sensors. That is very time-consuming," explains Kost. With this box, the cause of a fault can be found at the touch of a button. A range of parameters such as CAN bus sensors, analogue sensors and resistances can be checked and parametrised with ease. It is also possible to configure CAN bus sensors. The SMART BOX has a large display and guided operating system (the language can be individually customised). The size and weight are also well thought out: the SMART BOX can be carried as hand luggage in its robust transport case.

Four eyes are better than two

Once a fault has been located, it then needs to be rectified. SMART EYE, a pair of glasses with a built-in 16-megapixel camera, is a very useful tool in this process. The service technician puts on the glasses and connects with a product specialist for access platforms from PALFINGER. The specialist sees on the display exactly what the service technician can see – no matter how far away. The specialist can support work on the access platform and provide assistance in real time. The main advantage is that the service technician no longer has to leave the access platform to telephone a colleague – instead, the necessary advice and instructions are received directly via the augmented reality glasses fitted with headphones and a microphone. The help provided by the specialist means the technician no longer has to go through the laborious task of sifting through documentation and instructions. In particular, this support speeds up difficult repair and service jobs, or those that are performed only rarely. In order to prevent language problems, graphics are displayed as well as verbal communication.

Efficient service work

Both SMART BOX and SMART EYE are suitable for all PALFINGER access platforms. They are a real innovation aimed at ensuring targeted, more efficient service work. Both digital tools are available to purchase from PALFINGER either individually or as a package.