New modules for 3D planning on the go A1A Software launches new planning modules for smart phones and tablets

3D LIFT PLANNING ON THE GO

A1A Software recently launched a suite of web tools which enable 3D lift planning for on-the-go decision making.

New web tools from A1A Software make 3D lift planning available on the go

NEW WEB TOOLS FROM A1A SOFTWARE make 3D lift planning available on the go. The new features are designed to provide accurate information for “in the field” decision making.

Software LLC has introduced five new web tools for task specific lift planning activities in 3D Lift Plan. “These tools enable users to input or gather important lift planning information without creating a full lift plan,” explained Tawnia Weiss, president. For on-the-go, in-the-field decision making, these web tools provide quick, accurate information accessible from a tablet or other mobile device, that can later be integrated into a full lift plan.

Sketch Pad allows estimators, project managers or others involved in initial job bidding or lift planning to draw on screen using their finger. After entering an address, a Google Map displays as background. On this aerial view, it is possible to note the lift location, crane setup location, and other site-specific information. “This is a great tool for gathering initial information for a job estimate,” said Weiss. The sketch can be saved to 3D Lift Plan and will auto-create a lift plan for the user, which reduces steps and streamlines documentation.

Crane Comparison allows users to compare up to 10 crane load charts at a time. “Information displays graphically, for an easy visual reference of the capacities at various working ranges,” explained Weiss. The tool is ideal for salespeople who are working with customers to identify the most costeffective option that can get the job done.

Load Chart Viewer takes information in traditional load charts and presents them in a visual infographic presentation. This graphical representation overlays load chart data, such as capacity at various lift radii, into a range diagram with capacities. “If you’ve heard the phrase, a picture is worth a thousand words… the load chart viewer is exactly that – a visual representation of load chart data,” said Weiss.

Crane Loads Calculator allows users to determine maximum outrigger loads for the specific crane configuration without creating a full 3D Lift Plan. Simply choose the crane, the load chart, boom length, load weight, and radius, and the Crane Loads Calculator will present you with critical setup information.

Mat Calculator, which will likely be used in conjunction with the Crane Loads Calculator, allows users to select the appropriate outrigger pads or crane pads for the allowable ground bearing pressure. This is a mobile variation on the feature integrated into 3D Lift Plan in 2017, which provides data for engineered outrigger pad products, such as DICA’s FiberMax or SafetyTech pads, steel mats, or timber mats, into 3D Lift Plan.

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TOWER CRANE UTILISATION REMAINS SOLID

RLB Crane Index confirms demand residential demand for tower cranes has eased with commercial and infrastructure construction taking up the slack.

ACCORDING TO THE RIDER LEVETT Bucknall (RLB) Q3 2019 Crane Index, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane’s innercity cranes have risen from 44 to 48 per cent over the past six months.

The RLB Crane Index has maintained its level of 173 (excluding Wollongong‘s inclusion) for the past three editions which is in line with the FY 2019 lift of 4.9 per cent in building work done across the country. Both residential and non-residential work done rose by 1.3 and 12.2 per cent respectively on a chain volume measure.

There were no cities within the index that recorded crane falls in the double digits, a sign that the industry has not yet entered into the economic cycle of falling demand as predicted by some.

During the past six months, 416 cranes were erected on sites around Australia, representing 54 per cent of all cranes in the current count. One hundred per cent of cranes removed from completed developments were placed back into the industry on new developments.

The residential sector suffered the greatest number of removals with a loss of 19 cranes, but off-setting these losses were new cranes erected within the commercial and mixed-use sectors.

Rider Levett Bucknall Oceania director of research and development, Domenic Schiafone, said the ongoing changes in government infrastructure spending and planning schemes is evident as the location of cranes gravitate along key transportationcorridors and activity centres.

“Crane numbers in Sydney increased by 9 to 319, up from 310 previously. What is key is that 189 cranes were added to sites around Sydney indicating a strong forward workflow for the next 12 months. 180 cranes were removed from completed developments in the past 6 months,” Schiafone said.

Melbourne suffered its first fall in crane numbers (nine) for six editions of the index over the last three years. Sydney offset these losses by increasing by a similar number.

The index now welcomes a new region into the count, Wollongong. The index reflects the addition of Wollongong by highlighting the impact Wollongong crane numbers has on the index as a whole.

This edition highlights a movement of crane numbers from the outer suburbs of the three largest index cities, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Inner city crane numbers over the past six months have risen from 44 to 48 per cent currently.

The ongoing changes in government’s infrastructure spending and planning schemes is evident as the location of cranes gravitate along key city transportation corridors and activity centres. This is most evident in Sydney along the Pacific Highway and the Dandenong rail corridor in Melbourne.

The RLB Crane Index has maintained its level at 173 for the past three editions. With the addition of Wollongong for this publication, their cranes have caused the index to rise to 178.

The residential index across the country has also maintained its level above the 160 mark. Wollongong residential cranes have made an impact with the full index falling to 166 in lieu of 164 on a like for like basis to the previous edition.

Strong growth in non-residential sectors has seen the index rise to its highest level since commencement. The rise of 11 per cent on a like for like basis has resulted from commercial, mixed use and civil crane commencements across the country. Pic 1: Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) Q3 2019 Crane Index