MARCO ISLAND, Fla.—Continental A.G.'s ContiTech business has introduced a cloud-based crimper controller for use in the hydraulic and industrial hose markets.
The CrimpIQ controller is designed to provide remote maintenance and updates that the company said will save its distributor customers time and money.
The firm introduced the new digital technology at its hospitality event April 29 during the NAHAD annual convention. It drew a large crowd for the unveiling, as it had sent "teaser" invitations alluding to the introduction.
"This new, exclusive crimping technology will enable Continental to provide the customer with instantaneous updates to the crimper, thereby reducing costly downtime and offering a new level of enhanced efficiency, safety, quality and speed to our customers operations," said Andreas Gerstenberger, head of the Industrial Fluid Solutions global business units.
CrimpIQ controllers are designed to provide instantaneous maintenance information and updates for users who crimp hydraulic and industrial hose.
Guy Enta, vice president and head of the Americas region for Industrial Fluid Solutions, said the company intends to "be more active with smart solutions."
Continental had been working on the technology for several years, some of that work with Custom Crimp, a crimper manufacturer based in Valpairaiso, Ind. Conti purchased Custom Crimp effective Nov. 1, allowing the work on this project to accelerate, the executives said.
Gerstenberger added that Conti does not see digitalization as a threat, but an opportunity.
The monitoring process of the new crimper is entirely cloud-based.
"You will be able to oversee the entire process via a private security-protected Internet site, " Gerstenberber said. "CrimpIQ controller is the next step for Continental, our distributors and customers to become true system and solution partners for hose assembly related services."
Enta said not only will the crimpers with this technology be sold new, but the know-how can be retrofitted to existing equipment.