At the intersection of design and safety is the operator cab. No place is more important to be aesthetically and functionally optimized to create an enjoyable operator experience while assuring, in the event of an accident, the operator is protected. Oftentimes, the cab’s actual structure can seem forgotten amidst the fancier bells and whistles of the operator interface technology advancements, but there are several important considerations undertaken by cab manufacturers that should not go unnoticed.
- Visibility
There are few safety measures more important for operator and ground-worker safety than cab visibility. A blind spot is a dangerous thing, and technology providers and OEMs work hand-in-hand to eliminate any opportunity for injury.
- Modularity
Because the operator cab’s interface and advanced technologies are constantly evolving, that impacts and informs the design evolution of the cab structure itself.
- Broadening Cab Capabilities
As the pace of operator interface technologies has quickened, several cab manufacturers have realized that being able to design, prototype, test and manufacture a fully integrated cab system is essential for faster time-to-delivery for OEM customers.
highly-specialized technical knowledge
GS Global Resources (GSGR) and ADC Equipment Innovations (ADC) combined capabilities including ROPS and FOPS Systems for Heavy-Duty Equipment, along with Fully Integrated Cab Systems. “ADC Equipment Innovations highly-specialized technical knowledge of designing and building cab (cabin) structures to protect machine operators reduces cost, decreases engineering effort and time, and streamlines manufacturing processes for OEMs”, Thorton says.
GSGR offers a broad product portfolio and engineering expertise ranging from hydraulic to electronic, mechanical and software capabilities. With the acquisition of ADC, GSGR is able to offer a single point of contact for OEM customers in search of fully-integrated cabs.