Optimizing Crane Performance Through Automation
Cranes are essential to manufacturing. They lift, move, and precisely position materials, assemblies, and finished goods across a wide range of processes. Properly operating cranes are pivotal for streamlining operations and they drive up efficiency where they are appropriately implemented and maintained.
In today’s high-mix, high-speed manufacturing environments, cranes aren’t just heavy lifters — they’re intelligent, integrated systems driving productivity, safety, and insight. Accurate positioning and coordinated movements minimize operation cycle times by optimizing paths and motions, thus reducing the time required per lift. A modern crane system based on current technology control architectures can employ adaptive control algorithms which further enhance operational efficiency. This technology enhances the operator experience by streamlining training requirements, increasing ease of use, and proactively eliminating complex or error-prone operating scenarios – resulting in safer and more efficient crane operation.
Modern cranes are central to plant-wide safety and integration strategies. Because cranes often operate near personnel and expensive equipment, safety-enhancing features are critical. A specialized crane integrator can employ strategies such as collision avoidance and “no fly zone” algorithms which can anticipate challenges with obstacles and related equipment. They can also implement anti-sway algorithms which further enhance efficiency while reducing potentially dangerous load oscillations. Many tactics can be implemented on both automated and semi-automated equipment, thus allowing companies to protect staff in nearly every working environment.
Beyond the explicit operational benefits, a properly optimized crane system will reduce total lifetime costs in other ways. Skilled maintenance of this critical equipment will reduce the likelihood and impact of equipment failures. In addition to cost reductions associated with inefficient operations, optimized movements generate less wear and tear on mechanical components which. This also, in turn, reduces losses related to downtime. Upgraded electrical and control components help to deliver technical benefits and reduce the prospect of extended out-of-service events in the event of hardware failure.
With correct integration and upkeep, nearly all lifting solutions present data driven opportunities to ready a business for the future. Modern control platforms can provide a means to integrate simple crane operations into upstream and downstream operations as well as connectivity into all manner of software and other plant systems. These systems can easily be integrated into ERP, MES, SCADA, and many other related inventory and management packages with the help of a qualified crane integrator. Real time feedback and monitoring can continually enhance operations and strategies like predictive analytics can be employed. Remote and even autonomous operations become possible which reduces the need for highly skilled operators while reducing risk to the personnel who are required.
Properly specified, installed, and maintained lifting systems can provide decades of reliable operation. Skilled systems integrators can play an important role in the installation, maintenance and upgrade of this equipment. These firms work with a wide variety of crane types and vintages in operations of all types. Their broad industry perspective helps reduce both technical and operational risks—delivering sustained value from lifting systems for years to come.