Faster commissioning, frustration-free operation: How a new display transformed HDD rigs

03 April, 2025

Resolution in full view

AT-Boretec worked with its electronics integrator partner, ProCon automatic systems GmbH & Co. KG, to evaluate potential solutions. ProCon specialises in the development and production of electronic systems for a variety of machinery, including agriculture, construction, municipal, and forestry, as well as various industrial applications. ProCon recommended the Danfoss DM1200 display, a 12-inch fully configurable display designed for off-highway machinery. The DM1200 met the four application-critical criteria, which were outstanding touch responsiveness, even for operators wearing gloves; fast and reliable processing hardware to retrieve and visualise information from the CAN networks; a wide viewing angle; and a fast frame rate to display video feeds coming from the machines’ front and rear cameras.

Also standard in new machines is the Danfoss HMR CAN Rotary, which complements the touchscreen display by providing efficient screen navigation and operation of machine functions through intuitive button control. The display works together with the HMR to ensure an ergonomic operator experience.

“The decision for the DM1200 display was due to the quality and technical features, as well as the good advice, support, and long-standing collaboration with ProCon,” said Andreas Willmes, operations development manager at AT-Boretec.

ProCon worked with AT-Boretec to design and program the display content according to their needs. Using the Danfoss PLUS+1 platform, ProCon designed new parameter-based software to enable the selection of all machine variants and options on the display, thus allowing the use of a single program across all of its machines. During commissioning, technicians can select the specific engine or motor, mud pump, hydraulic system, pressure capabilities, levels of drilling rod storage, and other variables directly on the display. Today, approximately 230 parameters are selectable through the display, which effectively customizes the software to the machine and its components.

The initiative has delivered significant cost savings and efficiency improvements. Machine commissioning time has been significantly reduced from seven or eight days, a result of the display’s touch responsiveness, speed, simplification of menus and navigation, and the PLUS+1 software.

“In the past commissioning was a long run because you always needed to develop a new program for the display. Now, thanks to PLUS+1 software programming, you have the parameters to get everything done, and it’s much, much faster,” said Kevin Herth, managing director at ProCon.

The display’s touch capabilities and viewing angle have vastly improved the operator experience. And with field-adjustable machine parameters, operators have more control over machine performance.

The Danfoss display also improved fault diagnostics, which can deliver cost savings for customers through faster, easier service and reduced downtime. Errors and faults show in clear text on the display, in addition to red lights alerting the operator to a problem. The display makes it easy for the operator to see, at a glance, what the fault is and where it’s coming from.