"Overhead cranes that allow management to clearly define no-go areas in advance are delivering important safety and productivity advantages in the automotive industry," said a Konecranes spokesperson. "For more than 60 years, global crane manufacturer Konecranes has developed overhead crane systems designed to improve safety, productivity and reliability. Konecranes Protected Areas use laser telemetry to define and enforce no-go zones to prevent collisions between the load on the hook and valuable production machinery or busy working areas."
Up to 16 rectangular protected areas can be defined in advance, which the crane operator is not able to override or adjust. When the operator moves the hook toward a protected area, the crane will reduce its driving speed in a slowdown zone and stop at the protected area limit. Once a limit has been reached, the operator interface display shows the protected area icon. At this point the operator must manually guide the load to circumnavigate the protected area. Konecranes sway control technology, another signature load control feature, allows management to tightly define its protected areas to optimize factory workspace.
"Konecranes Protected Areas technology is a way for managers to increase the safety of both people and infrastructure located close to an operating overhead crane," said Doug Maclam, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Konecranes Region Americas. "Protected Areas maximize the effective operating area of the crane and protect valuable loads as well as expensive machinery and facilities."
A demonstration of Protected Areas from Konecranes in action can be seen at Renault Car Corporation, an automotive stamping plant in Sandouville, France. "Konecranes' great adaptability allows us to select functions according to the particular needs of users," said François Marie, Renault's Maintenance Manager. "For instance, at our Sandouville factory we wanted to prevent the crane from passing over certain well-defined areas in order to ensure the safety of personnel and protect machinery. Now, due to the Protected Areas feature and its telemetry lasers, there is considerably less risk that the hook will collide with the walkway to the offices. The operators at Renault appreciate the enhanced occupational safety and are permanently prevented from mistakenly making movements toward the offices."
Protected Areas from Konecranes is one of a suite of features that are available individually or in packages sold with Konecranes advanced lifting equipment. In some cases, it can also be available as a retrofit for older cranes.
For more information contact:
Doug Maclam
Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Region Americas
Konecranes, Inc.
4401 Gateway Blvd.
Springfield, OH 45502
866-258-8083 / 281-445-2225
doug.maclam@konecranes.com
www.konecranesusa.com