OVERHEAD CRANES
Automation and smart features in overhead cranes Automation and smart features are driving the overhead lifting sector delivering efficiency and reliability to operations unlike ever before. Markus Otto, Process Cranes Sales Director at Demag, recently addressed a hoisting conference on the wins gained when using automation in overhead lifting. The trend toward achieving greater efficiency in the manufacturing and industrial sector is not all that new anymore, but advances in automation continue to deliver new, innovative solutions that impact operations. “Automated crane systems and warehouse management software are providing factories and warehouses with more efficient product throughput,” says Otto. “There is an overall focus on higher productivity, efficiency, safety and reliability.” With this in mind demand for automation and process efficiency will increase in the future. According to Otto, remote operating stations (ROS) is one of the exciting developments. "It is a new concept for the manual operation of cranes. It is best described as the new dimension in crane control," he says. Ergonomic, efficient and intuitive the controlling of cranes from a ROS no longer requires a direct line of sight to the crane. "Cranes can be operated in the same way as from a traditional operators seat, 36 Lifting Africa - Jan/Feb 2021
but without the comfortability, crane operators have had to endure until now. The difference is they are working in a comfortable environment with support in realtime, a variety of camera view and audio to support them as well as having process-related support information via monitors." Benefits of being remote There are several advantages to working from a ROS, says Otto. First and foremost is safety. “There is no need to put an operator in a situation where they need to operate the crane in a dangerous location. Secondly, it is not just a safer environment for operators, but also far more comfortable.” The savings in infrastructure and increased effective working area for the crane are two more benefits. “Operators can now concentrate more easily on other tasks than what they would do if working on the crane. Idle times are used more beneficially and effectively,” he says. “One operator can also be used for multiple cranes and in locations that were previously just not possible.” More so, operators can concentrate more easily on
other tasks allowing for increased effective working areas. According to Otto, the location of the control station can be optimised according to site requirements instead of crane needs. “There are also very real infrastructure savings that can be made as there is no longer any need for walkways and platforms. All of the cranes can also be operated from one control position without the need for crane specific control chairs.” Using cameras operators can also with ROS view areas that would normally not be in the line of sight. A typical ROS control centre consists of a table that can be adjusted in height to meet the operators needs, ergonomic controllers with armrests, optional touchscreens, widescreen monitor controls and a communication unit and camera system. "The monitor layout can be configured based on the number of cameras. The crane and process-related information can be visualized on large ergonomic monitors improving visibility significantly," explains Otto. "A
