Arcusin S.A. – Automated harvesters
Efficient harvesting
How Arcusin boosts machine performance with ifm automation
Arcusin S.A., a leading manufacturer of specialised machinery for agricultural logistics, has stood for robust technology and innovative solutions for decades. The Spanish family-owned company develops and manufactures high-performance bale accumulators that operate under demanding field conditions all over the world. Particularly during the peak harvest period, these machines must run reliably around the clock – any downtime would mean not only operational standstill but also significant financial losses.
Reliability and ease of operation as key challenges
The demands Arcusin places on its machines are high. “Our machines have to be reliable, robust and safe. They operate under extreme conditions – dust, vibration, and very high or low temperatures are part of everyday field operations,” explains Ferran Masamunt, Marketing Director at Arcusin S.A. The machines are used in many different regions and often run continuously for months during the harvest season. Moreover, they must remain intuitive to operate and minimise the risk of operating errors, even for less experienced users assigned during times of staff shortage.
“We want to give our customers the confidence to get through the harvest season without interruption,” Masamunt continues. Efficiency, a high degree of automation and intuitive operation are among their top priorities.
Customised automation solutions from ifm
To meet these demanding requirements, Arcusin has consistently relied on automation solutions from ifm since 2014. What began with a few individual components has developed into a fully fledged system partnership over the past decade. “After more than ten years, we can say that ifm products are as reliable and robust as we need them to be. This experience has convinced us to rely entirely on ifm for the automation of our machines,” emphasises Pere Corral, Technical Office Director at Arcusin S.A. The combination of durable hardware, easy integration and ifm’s dedicated technical support is what makes the difference.
In its current machine portfolio, Arcusin uses a wide range of ifm components – from cabling systems, inductive sensors and pressure transmitters to the robust HMIs of the ecomatDisplay series, the ecomatPanel and I/O modules. Arcusin places particular emphasis on the long-term availability and compatibility of the control components.
“It was important to us that key elements such as controllers and I/O modules are based on standardised formats and that the manufacturer actively supports their continued development. When a component is replaced by a new model, it must remain backward compatible and interchangeable – this is crucial for the long-term viability of our machines,” continues Corral.
Image 1: Inductive sensors monitor the end positions of the different manoeuvres performed by the bale stacker.
Image 2: A pressure transmitter monitors the hydraulic system that raises and lowers the additional axle.
Image 3: The robust HMI and control panel from ifm provide an excellent overview and intuitive operation from the driver’s seat.
Displays and radar technology enhance safety and user convenience
At the heart of user interaction are the ecomatDisplays, which act as the operator’s “command centre”. They provide a clear overview of the machine status, enable quick adjustment of settings and give the operator real-time feedback during machine operation. “The ecomatDisplays have significantly improved machine interaction and reduced the number of enquiries to our aftersales service. Thanks to integrated warning messages, guides and help texts, many situations can now be resolved directly in the field,” emphasises Corral. Another highlight is the use of ifm radar sensors on the AutoStack trailers. Unloading the bales is a particularly demanding task that used to require considerable experience.
“Many of our customers report that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find experienced operators for AutoStack trailers. The biggest challenge is usually unloading the bales precisely and safely. That’s why, in the latest version of our AutoStack trailer, we’ve integrated a radar sensor at the rear that helps the operator maintain the optimal distance when approaching the unloading point,” Corral explains. The result: the work becomes easier, safer and less prone to error – a real benefit for both operator and machine.
Years of experience, measurable improvements
The feedback on ifm solutions at Arcusin has been consistently positive. “We are very satisfied with the performance of the components. Their robustness and reliability are particularly important to us, as our machines operate under the toughest conditions worldwide. In more than ten years of using ifm solutions, we have had no complaints due to manufacturing defects or serious failures – a clear proof of quality and a key reason for us as a manufacturer to continue placing our trust in ifm,” says Corral.
The close cooperation with ifm in development projects has also proven its worth. “Our experience with ifm’s support has been excellent throughout. The team quickly understands our requirements, provides competent assistance with technical questions and is always committed to finding the right solution.” Corral particularly highlights the close collaboration: “As a manufacturer, we greatly value having an automation supplier who shares our customer-oriented philosophy. A good example of this was the radar project, where ifm’s specialists were on site to fine-tune the solution precisely to our application. This proactive support gives us the confidence that ifm is the right partner for us.”
Levers and I/O modules from ifm ensure simple and reliable machine operation.
Conclusion
By integrating ifm’s automation solutions, Arcusin has raised the reliability, ease of operation and safety of its machines to a new standard – benefiting farming operations worldwide.
