Dana’s acquisition of Italian component maker Brevini has extended the company’s knowledge base with access to a diverse range of motion control and vehicle electrification components. As a result, the firm showcased an aerial work platform at Intermat Paris 2018 that had been stripped of its original components. Kitted out with a combination of Dana, Spicer and Brevini motion control systems, it is designed to support the power distribution needs of hybrid and electric off-highway vehicles.
Its drive axle, for example, had been fitted with two 5kW electric motors for propulsion, while the machine had been equipped with a wide variety of sensors to manage traction, safety and motion. An all-new touchscreen terminal fitted to the man-basket (pictured) provides vital information on machine position, boom position, chassis angle, basket angle and safe work envelope.
In addition, the control terminal allows the operator to dial-in overload probability from 0-100%, which automatically restricts the machine’s working envelope to maintain a safe working status. Dana has equipped the man-basket with weigh cells, providing the operator with a known payload when placing tools into the basket.
With the addition of electronic monitoring and control, the machine can provide a continuous self-levelling basket function, while also monitoring and informing the operator of chassis angle.
