ANSYS > Case Studies > Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH: Enhancing Crane Performance with IoT

Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH: Enhancing Crane Performance with IoT

Technology Category

Robots - Wheeled Robots

Applicable Industries

Telecommunications

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

About The Customer

Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of mobile cranes. Their product range includes all-terrain mobile cranes, lattice-boom cranes on wheeled and crawlertrack chassis, mobile construction-industry cranes, and special cranes for recovery work. As a market leader in several product groups and geographical regions, Liebherr is also a technological leader, constantly striving to improve its products and processes. The company is known for its commitment to innovation and quality, and its products are used in a wide range of industries worldwide.

The Challenge

Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH, a leading manufacturer of mobile cranes, faced a significant challenge in their quest to maintain their market and technological leadership. The company needed to develop and market new innovative products and components, as well as increase the workloads of the cranes by leveraging all available technological possibilities. This was crucial to stay ahead in a competitive market and meet the evolving needs of their customers. Additionally, they were also tasked with optimizing their methods and processes to decrease design and analysis time. This was necessary to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and speed up the time-to-market of their products.

The Solution

To overcome these challenges, Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH decided to use innovative tools in the design and analysis processes. They turned to the products developed by ANSYS, Inc., a global leader in engineering simulation software. ANSYS products allowed Liebherr to analyze complex nonlinear behavior of parts and cranes, like the buckling of plates and shells. This advanced analysis capability enabled them to optimize their designs, improve the performance of their cranes, and ensure that their products were safe and compliant to standards. Furthermore, the use of ANSYS products also helped them to achieve high accuracy in their simulations and end products, thereby enhancing the reliability of their cranes.

Operational Impact

The implementation of ANSYS products in Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH's design and analysis processes led to several operational benefits. The company was able to reach the highest possible optimization level for their cranes, ensuring that they were safe and compliant to standards. This not only enhanced the performance and reliability of their products but also increased customer trust and satisfaction. Furthermore, the prototype, which sometimes served as the final product, was able to meet all planned workloads, specifications, and limits. This significantly reduced the need for rework and modifications, thereby saving time and resources. Lastly, the high accuracy of simulations and end product ensured that the cranes performed as expected in real-world conditions, further enhancing their reputation for quality and reliability.