3 Things Cameras Can Do for Your Hydraulic Machine

Create a Safer Machine and Workspace

Increase Environmental Awareness

The most obvious application for cameras on hydraulic equipment resembles the backup camera on many residential vehicles, giving a clear view of your blind spot. You can increase this visibility by feeding multiple cameras to the operator.

Automatically Detect Objects or People in the Field of View

Cameras with object detection can alert the operator to an object in the path of motion. Some cameras can even detect the reflective material in safety equipment. By recognizing this material specifically, the camera system can identify a person verses an object.

Prevent Damage and Injury with Distance Detection

Knowing the distance to an object in the camera feed can allow the operator to more effectively, and safely, maneuver the vehicle through a crowded area. These cameras can also be used on other moving parts of a vehicle or attachments, taking the guesswork out of moving something into place.

Increase Productivity

Increased Precision with Better Visibility

It’s no secret that a better view of one’s workspace can potentially result in a far more accurate application of work. For example, cameras mounted on the end of a boom or hydraulic arm allow the operator to view the precise location of the boom and maneuver to ensure it is where it needs to be.

More Accurately Maneuver and Operate the Machine

If the camera is able to automatically detect objects, then certain processes can be made much easier. The operator can more accurately locate objects around them to more accurately maneuver the vehicle or machine through the environment and get to or complete a task quicker.

Accurately Maintain Distance

Distance detection can also improve safety and accuracy of machine processes. For instance, a machine needs to maintain a specific distance from a wall or other environmental obstacle. The camera detecting the distance to that object allows the operator to maintain a specific distance.

Use Camera Data to Automate Your Machine or Process

Automatically Activate Camera Feed

Cameras feeding into a programmable logic controller (PLC) or an engine control unit can be automatically activated given certain conditions or actions. Given the right programming, any camera on your hydraulic machine can be programmed to activate on any inputs or outputs from the machine. This automation can take the guess work of functions and activate these functions in a more timely manner. Over the shift of a machine or the life of a machine this can carve valuable hours and improve productivity.

Program Machine to React to Objects

The PLC or engine control unit can communicate with the camera to trigger a custom warning, alert or specific action. For example, a self-driving machine could be programmed to stop or steer around an object in its path. Additionally, if the machine detects a safety vest in its field of view, a custom warning can display indicating a worker might be present. This feedback from the camera can be an integral part of an automated process or a fully automated machine.

Automatically Maintain Distance

The PLC can even be programmed to use cameras to inform other functions of the machine. For example, a self-driving mobile machine can use the data from the camera to automatically maintain the distance without operator input.