Currently in demand from industrial users, Konecranes’ Smart Features decrease load cycle times and give the crane and its components a longer working life, says Doug Maclam, vice president, sales and marketing. Photo: Konecranes

Konecranes Inc., Hyvinkaa, Finland, has advanced its Smart Features capabilities for SMARTON® cranes.

The extensive suite of Smart Features (software that gives the user control of the material handling in production processes) has been expanded with three new elements—Hook Centering, Snag Prevention and Active Sway Control—designed to help operators achieve even faster load handling with less risk of damage to the load, crane and surrounding area.

Hook Centering automatically eliminates side pull situations and load swing caused by side pull. Snag Prevention, always offered in a package with Hook Centering, constantly monitors the rope angle and slows down the movement of the bridge if the rope reaches a pre-set angle. It activates the mechanical brakes to a full stop if a more extreme rope angle occurs. Active Sway Control stabilizes load movements in trolley traverse and/or bridge travel directions. It reads and modifies the operator’s speed commands so that the requested speed is reached with minimal load sway.

All three are achieved through camera-based technology, which begins with an infrared camera mounted on the crane. The camera monitors LED sensors located on the hook block to detect load movement that is out of the acceptable range.

Source: Konecranes