Anti-swing control dampens crane load swing

Anti-swing control dampens the load swing on cranes operating indoors by using load height information integrated with the driver's commands to calculate the optimal acceleration path.

East Kilbride crane manufacturer Konecranes UK has launched its new anti-swing control.

Named DynAPilot, this new control system dampens the load swing on cranes operating indoors.

Load swing has been a real problem for crane operators for a long time.

Normal crane movements create load swing and this makes load positioning more difficult and slower for the crane operator, and can lead to damage to the load, adjacent equipment, buildings and people.

Combating load swing has been the crane driver's job until now.

It's a technique that requires months, even years of experience.

All of this of course slows down the speed of the load handling and because it demands continuous attention from the driver, the stress involved can lead to physical and psychological problems.

This is very noticeable on high speed and/or process duty cranes.

With Konecranes DynAPilot fitted, load swing is dampened automatically.

The system uses load height information integrated with the driver's commands to calculate the optimal acceleration path.

With such accurate anti-swing controls in operation automatically, bridge and trolley speeds can be increased, even close to building walls, and the maximum available space can be used because there is no need to operate the crane load with dedicated safety load swing areas surrounding the operating envelope.

DynAPilot works with manual and automatic modes, allowing operation of all motions simultaneously while dampening load swing.

Speaking about this new Konecranes UK anti-swing technology, Managing Director Gordon Adie said, "DynAPilot will give our customers great economies because of the reductions in wear and tear and damage to the crane, its components, the load it is carrying and to the driver.

The handling of a load will happen faster and with more safety.

All in all DynAPilot is the best thing to happen to the overhead crane industry since we introduced our CXT hoist!" DynAPilot anti swing can be fitted to most cranes, albeit the use is best suited when built into new cranes, but when older cranes are undergoing an upgrade by the addition of Inverter controls then this a simple add on.

The cost of adding this unique feature varies from new to older cranes, and depends on the type of controls that are in use or that can be added.

In industries where load damage is frequent, due to load swing or error then the payback period can be measured in months.

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