PONSSE Scorpion awarded the Viva Automation! prize

Ponsse Plc has received the Viva Automation! recognition prize for the development work for the stabilisation and levelling system of the new PONSSE Scorpion harvester. The winner was announced at the Teknologia 13 fair, on 1 October in Helsinki.

The Viva Automation! prize is awarded every second year for an important and innovative solution in the field of automation. It is awarded by the Finnish Society of Automation and Messukeskus. In the grounds for awarding the prize, Ponsse was praised for the comprehensive and innovative utilisation of automation technology in their new harvester model.

"In addition to innovative automation solutions and the concrete benefits achieved, the jury emphasised the fact that the possibilities of automation technology have been utilised in an exemplary manner in the overall design of a new type of machine," says Harri Happonen, chairman of the board of the Finnish Society of Automation.

A new frame solution that makes good use of automation

With moving machines, forest machines included, it is important to ensure a sufficiently solid contact between the base of the vehicle or machine, such as the wheels or tracks, and the ground. As a structural means to improve the contact, the rotation of axles and separate frames relative to each other is often allowed. The problem is controlling the rotation in various driving situations, and with machines such as a harvester, the impact of using cranes to the rotation. 

For the PONSSE Scorpion harvester, a new kind of frame solution has been developed, utilising automation in particular to control the frame stabilisation solution. The new solution improves the usability, efficiency, productivity and ergonomics of the machine. The solution enables effective use of the crane and harvester head when driving, as well as moving the machine even when the crane and harvester head are at the side of the machine. In addition, it improves safety by detecting and responding to situations where the forest machine is in danger of falling over.

As an important part of the automation, a new sensor arrangement has been developed based on the parallel use of two different measured variables, with a special emphasis on the reliability of the system. At the same time, cost savings have been achieved compared to traditional systems. Automation is also efficiently utilised in other ways to ensure safety, e.g. by means of automated monitoring. For the solutions introduced in the PONSSE Scorpion harvester, five separate patent families are currently pending, two of which are specifically related to automation solutions. 

The winner of the prize was selected by a jury whose members included Harri Happonen, chairman of the board of the Finnish Society of Automation; Lasse Eriksson, Senior Research Engineer, Konecranes; Mika Lehtonen, Design Manager, Fortum; and Riikka Telin, Sales Group Manager, Messukeskus. For more information on the Viva Automation! prize, please contact the Finnish Society of Automation, Harri Happonen, Chairman of the Board, tel. +358 40 765 7137, harri.happonen@metso.com

For more information on the PONSSE Scorpion, please contact:
Ponsse Plc, Antti Räsänen, Marketing Manager, tel. +358 40 849 8572, antti.rasanen@ponsse.com

Photos: http://www.ponsse.com/media-archive/images/products/harvesters/scorpion 
Product information: http://www.ponsse.com/products/harvesters/scorpion

Ponsse Plc specialises in the sales, production, maintenance and technology of cut-to-length method forest machines and is driven by genuine interest in its customers and their business operations. Ponsse develops and manufactures sustainable and innovative harvesting solutions based on customers’ needs. The company was established by forest machine entrepreneur Einari Vidgrén in 1970, and it has been a leader in timber harvesting solutions based on the cut-to-length method ever since. Ponsse is headquartered in Vieremä, Finland. The company’s shares are quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic List.

 Ponsse introduced the PONSSE Scorpion harvester to the public for the first time at the Elmia Wood fair in Sweden in June this year. The completely new harvester model raises productivity and ergonomics in harvesting to a whole new level and sets a new standard for the driver’s working environment. Unobstructed visibility and control, unbeatable stability and low surface pressures of the machine enable efficient timber harvesting while bearing the environment in mind.