Crane software to improve safety

Computers will soon make cranes safer.
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There have been several fatal accidents when operators have overridden the safety controls in order to carry loads that are too high for distance they are reaching. However, new crane control software will make these accidents a thing of the past, according to one vendor of such material at least.

Albert Fitoussi, general manager of Metho Cad said: ”[These accidents are] the direct consequence of a lack of preparation,” he says. Studying the site layout would have indicated potential problems, but an estimated 70% of companies do not carry out this kind of check to their mobile cranes before work starts on site, he says.

The new version of this software makes it easy to address the issue. The module helps the user to check that the proposed mobile crane’s boom length, angles and loads will be within allowable limits. At the click of a button, the user can see on a plan drawing the loads at each position of the crane hook, with concentric circles indicating allowable values.

PACKAGE

Included in the package is information supplied by manufacturers so that the capacities of different models are accurately represented. The CAD-based software also takes account of space limitations on site, which can be a particular issue once the permanent works are in place.

Another crane control software firm ABB produces a solution for industrial, harbour and tower cranes for use with variable speed drives, which are produced by the same company.

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Called ‘Crane Control Program’, the software is an optional add-on for the ABB’s industrial drives range which extends from 0.55 kW to 5600 kW. It incorporates all the functions commonly required for the hoist, trolley and long travel motions in industrial, harbour and tower cranes.

At the heart of the design is ABB’s motor control platform, Direct Torque Control (DTC). DTC technology allows accurate control of speed and torque with or without pulse encoder feedback from the motor shaft. The Crane Control Program utilizes DTC to deliver enhanced operational safety and provides accurate slow speed control with high torque levels.

FLEXIBLE

The crane control program offers flexible interfaces for different types of analogue, digital or fieldbus systems, enabling a wide range of connectivity for start, stop and reference change signals.

BUDGET

Obviously such software is expensive, and would generally be included with a large order of, say, new tower cranes.

Desktop-Crane is the proprietary engineering tools assist in the crane selection, application, and design of lift operation in the most challenging conditions. These are constantly evolving to reflect the latest crane software developments.

A global application database enhances our ability to respond to customer inquiries with speed, accuracy, and confidence in our recommendations.

Graphics are generated in response to user input at the crane controls. Images of the crane structure, lifting mechanism, pay-loads, cables and obstacles provide intricate detail and depth cues.

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