Rounding up the latest RCL/LMI products

When it comes to safe and efficient lifting, operator aids are a crucial element. Even a veteran operator must rely on the latest equipment to ensure safe operations, and the technology is only more impressive and advanced. RCL/LMI devices are paving the way to the future of safer construction operations.

The Cranesmart LMI5 has a wireless touchscreen receiver and control module that receives sensor transmissions from the crane and displays them to the operator.

ACT surveyed several leading manufacturers of load moment indicator and rated capacity limiter technology for information about their latest product offerings.

The LMI5 system from Cranesmart is the newest load moment indication technology that displays the crane position, capacity and load on each hook at all times during operation. The LMI5 system also provides operators with both audible and visual warning in overload or 2-block conditions and allows users to customize lockouts for different cranes.

The LMI5 system consists of a wireless touchscreen receiver and control module that receives sensor transmissions from the crane and displays them clearly for the operator. Compatible with any type of crane, pipelayer or material handling equipment, the LMI5 system is built for industry and to withstand the harsh weather conditions and rugged environments that it operates in. Cranesmart customers around the world have come to know the Cranesmart Systems’ mission is to provide the highest quality safety equipment and operator aids, paired with the best after-the-sale service in the industry, the company said.

Cranesmart systems are designed to be installed by customers themselves in quick timeframes, with no technician required.

RaycoWylie

RaycoWylie’s i5000 state-of-the-art design was achieved by virtue of decades of experience and a thinking process aiming to revolutionize user experience, according to the company. Its enhanced features include a high-resolution industrial touch screen display, wireless connectivity (wifi, bluetooth, cellular), GPS, multiple cameras, remote updates and remote troubleshooting.

The i5000 is compatible with laptops, tablets and cell phones, enabling users to monitor equipment performance regardless of location.

RaycoWylie’s high-performance application monitors go beyond the standard load and A2B parameters. It is capable of controlling a complete array of options such as, engine data, greasing systems, radars, wireless and CAN bus sensors and TPMS. The new technology platform is designed around maximum serviceability, using a high-performance computing control unit with multiple-sized robust, high resolution touch screen display.

The i5000 is also compatible with laptops, tablets and cell phones, enabling users to monitor the performance of equipment no matter the location.

WIKA

The WIKA qSCALE Ix is a standard LMI solution that meets requirements for OEM and aftermarket applications. The system provides the operator with a graphic display of the crane’s boom length, boom angle, load radius and current load (both actual and allowable). The 4.3-inch or 7-inch color graphic display includes an integrated bar graph to provide the operator with the crane’s current utilization. The system offers the flexibility of using wireless and hardwired sensors, and also features a simplified calibration procedure using a menu-driven process, which reduces calibration time. For OEMs looking to fully customize their LMI, the qSCALE offers the flexibility to modify and add system options beyond a standard LMI solution. This includes machine-specific graphics and adding additional sensors based on specific application requirements. This system also offers the option of custom communication with non-LMI functions such as air conditioning, engine diagnostics, outrigger monitoring and the like.

The WIKA qSCALE maestro LMI is an aftermarket upgrade solution for the DS150G, DS350G/GW and existing maestro systems that are currently in the field. The qSCALE maestro offers a flexible design that converts existing software, eliminating the need for re-calibration. The system features a user-friendly 4.3-inch color display that displays actual and allowable load, boom length, boom angle and load radius. The qSCALE maestro features an integrated light-bar and event recorder and offers the option of an external light-tower. With an IP 66/67 rating, the console can be mounted either inside or outside of the cab.

The WIKA qSCALE Ix system offers the flexibility of using wireless and hardwired sensors.

AMCS Technologies

LMIs are meaningful and valuable tools for crane operators, according to AMCS Technologies.

“Operator aids are evolving in functionality and design as technology becomes more sophisticated, said Radoine Bouajaj, sales director, AMCS Technologies. “They offer operators a dramatically improved perspective of their machine’s data for real time use and a better confidence in driving aid device. Features of our anticollision and zoning devices for tower cranes include a LMI function. Safety on jobsites is always a priority and we are constantly investing in all sustainable solutions that benefit our customers.”

When anticollision systems are installed on cranes, the various sensors are placed on the machine and parameters (jib length, height, etc.) are programmed to retrieve information from the crane. The user’s graphic display interface provides all required information crane operators need to drive their machines: load, slewing position, trolley position, hook height, position on the track for travelling cranes, wind speed and luffing angle.

Bouajaj added that LMIs are extremely useful, and a precious operational aid, but they should not be considered a substitute for operator’s experience and judgment for safe crane operations.

“We believe that the trend is towards digital transition and consequently to the enlargement of competency fields in order to offer comfort options to the customers,” said Bouajaj. “Today, operators and jobsite managers receive crane information in real time, thanks to the IoT Lifting Mobile App and Web platform of our last generation of anticollision systems, the DCS 61-S.”

The DCS 61-S automatically detects the movements of mobile machinery. The system maintains zoning and data logging functions for productivity and site safety.

With a SIM card, the DCS 61-S (Driving Control System Safety) continuously collects a crane’s data, that can be shared, stored and processed to create user-specific statistics.

The DCS 61-S anti-collision and zoning device was designed as an evolving product to integrate new requirements as they arise. The DCS 61-S automatically detects the movements of mobile machinery and integrates the servo-control of tower cranes. The systems placed on the tower and mobile cranes communicate their information via the wireless network and permanently know the position of the mobile machines thanks to geolocation antennas. When the mobile cranes move and reposition themselves in a different area to work, the tower crane devices automatically know their positions, and the system creates an interference zone for the machines that are being operated.

Another key AMCS product includes the company’s telematics system called IoT Lifting with its mobile application. The application is credited with accurately and remotely monitoring the productivity of a construction site, knowing the activity of cranes every day, managing a fleet of AMCS Technologies products as well as carrying out remote diagnostics. These tools provide access to concrete and technical data in real time concerning anti-collision systems and the use of the crane, in order to meet a real need from customers, AMCS said. The IoT lifting centralizes all the information transmitted by the DCS 61-S anti-collision systems relating to each crane on a mobile application as well as a web portal and generates personalized statistics according to each site and information is continually collected.