FEATURE MATERIALS HANDLING & CONVEYING


EFFICIENT SWAY CONTROL system for container cranes


The new generation of systems uses


the same basic principle but includes integrated electronics. This results in greater accuracy when


setting the system pressure so that it is proportional to the weight of the container and therefore greater accuracy when it comes to the requisite pre- tensioning. This allows constant pressure monitoring to be achieved. “Our anti-sway system gives us


maximum system reliability by combining process-capable hydraulics with the control potential of the electronics,” explains Gerhard Ruppel. “The outcome is much more fail-safe than other solutions including purely electronic ones.”


An electro-hydraulic anti-sway system for cranes allows exact adjustment for container weight, greatly increasing productivity


A


new generation of sway control systems substantially increases the


productivity of container cranes. Gerhard Ruppel Hydraulik has developed what is said to be the world’s first electro- hydraulic anti-sway system that allows exact adjustment for container weight. Excellent system capability means that load sway is reduced to a minimum, resulting in a reduction of loading times. On ship-to-shore (STS) cranes with


crane bridges up to 50 m high and on rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes with an installed height of approximately 30 m, a container may sway from side to side over a distance of up to 8.50 m, requiring up to eight seconds to complete one amplitude. The degree of


amplitude is in direct proportion to the weight of the container. The sway of the container can represent a considerable delay in completing the loading process as the load cannot be lowered into position until the swinging has settled. The Gerhard Ruppel system allows the amplitude and therefore the oscillation period of the container to be reliably reduced to a minimum. Four attenuation cables were strung


diagonally to the direction of sway. During the loading process the slack in the cables was taken up by a hydraulic unit complete with integrated control block. However, in this previous system only two pre-set hydraulic pressures could be selected.


MANIPULATOR IMPROVES SAFETY, ERGONOMICS AND PRODUCTIVITY


The Liftronic Easy05 combines the strength of a traditional pneumatic manipulator with the intelligence of electronic control which alleviates ‘over travel’ or ‘bounce’, allowing for precise, positive load positioning without the need to make tedious corrective movements along the way. This precision means that the load doesn’t suffer any impact when positioned. Advanced electronics offer greater safety features; the system recognises load drop and counterbalances


the weight loss immediately, avoiding potentially dangerous quick upward movement of the tooling. This ‘anti jump’ feature contributes greatly to improved user safety and operator confidence. The load is automatically and continually balanced throughout operation via an electronic load cell and signalling device which delivers precise and perfect handling along the whole stroke. The fingertip sensing handle reacts instantly to touch, giving extremely fine control of up and down movement.


Indeva T: 01246 252333 www.indevagroup.com Enter 301


ENERGY SAVING The electro-hydraulic sway control system has an energy-saving influence on the crane as a whole as the reduced sway results in less kinetic energy being expended in the sub-system of lifting gear, load-carrying unit and load. This means the crane does not need as


much energy for acceleration and less energy goes to waste when decelerating. Ruppel Hydraulik is developing the


system for new crane installations or for retrofitting to big STS systems as well as smaller RTG cranes which are already fitted out with four anti-sway cables. Its straightforward modular design


means the system is easy to operate and does not assume any particular training on the part of the crane operator. As system supplier Ruppel Hydraulik


develops hydraulic drive systems and controllers. They are used around the world in container cranes, construction machinery, municipal utility vehicles, ships and industrial machinery. Company founder and owner Gerhard


Ruppel specialises in developing control blocks. Furthermore, the electro- hydraulic control technology is developed in-house in Bad Münder so that Ruppel is a true turnkey supplier of complete and fully tailored drive systems. Founded in 1990, the company boasts


an extensive portfolio of modular solutions and components including pumps, motors and screw-in valve.


Gerhard Ruppel Hydraulik T: +49 5042 932210 www.ruppel-group.de Enter 302


S8 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | MATERIALS HANDLING & LOGISTICS / MATERIALSHANDLINGLOGISTICS


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