TECHNOLOGY Ӏ SECTOR REPORT
j The move is displayed on a
screen in 3D, visualised so that the move is plain to see, not only for Mammoet but for the client as well, so that any issues or conflicts in what is proposed can be discussed between them. Lift planning is, of course, a digital application not confined to Mammoet. Among others, Florida, USA-based A1A Software has its 3D Lift Plan, which it claims is the industry’s best-known software for creating bids, critical lifts, rigging documentation and lift simulations. The company is about to
release a variety of stand-alone lift planning tools in its A1A Product Suite and will introduce a new version of its iCraneTrax. Both introductions will be during ConExpo-Con/Agg, which runs from March 14-18 this year in Las Vegas, USA. Its Product Suite tools are
Fassi’s futuristic
NVG (Next View Glasses) system
designed to help people with different roles in the crane supplier’s organisation to be functional at various levels with as little or as much complexity as the role requires. They will include ‘SketchPad’ for paperless gathering of preliminary jobsite information by drawing a sketch on a tablet. It establishes
making connections: FASSI's internet of cranes
“Fassi Gru was the fi rst company in the world to develop a remote diagnostics solution by connecting our articulated cranes to our technical assistance via the internet.” So says Roberto Signori, Fassi’s R&D manager. “With the Internet of Cranes project we wanted to propose a product innovation that actively involves crane operators during the support phase of their machines.” Monitoring and maintenance of crane fl eets has traditionally
involved the operator fi elding a team of technicians armed with tool bag and logbook who needed to travel to the site to carry out the necessary work. Fassi recognised early, as far back as 2015 (which in digital terms is another era), that remote access to vital data would enable rapid response diagnosis and assistance, from either the operator or the Fassi support team. It would also make predictive maintenance possible. A prime requirement was constant, dependable internet connectivity. This, at that time, was a challenge, especially as Fassi has customers in all corners of the world. When the IoC project was initiated, cellular coverage was fragmented across the globe, with a mix of 2G and 3G networks and carriers using a range of communication frequencies. Fassi needed a reliable, ubiquitous connectivity solution with a single IoT data gateway and a single SIM card that would enable its cranes to communicate wherever they were deployed in the world. Fassi worked with IoT solutions provider Micro Systems and cellular connectivity specialist Eseye for hardware and connectivity expertise. Eseye’s AnyNet SIM cards with multi-IMSI technology have the universal connectivity required to operate Fassi’s IoC system to its
full potential through a single device. Eseye has access to over 700 networks and holds roaming contracts with all of the world’s major mobile phone operators covering 190 countries. This gives what is claimed as the most comprehensive localisation strategy in the IoT market today. The bespoke electronic board designed by Micro Systems is
connected to the web through the AnyNet SIM card. The board control software collects data from the crane’s control unit, then transmits it to the AWS data cloud server. The cloud server collects and securely stores data from the entire global Fassi machine fl eet around the world. A dedicated web portal allows operators and the Fassi support centre to view and manage the data from each individual crane anywhere in the world. Benefi ts of the Internet of Cranes include improved performance
and uptime. Immediate access to usage statistics brings operators a more accurate knowledge of their machines with a full understanding of their condition and how they are being used. From there, they can make adjustments and enhancements that ensure the crane is working optimally. Fassi’s own support team can monitor cranes during operation on request. There is greater effi ciency, too. Operators have been able to move
from a scenario where maintenance was carried out ‘in the fl esh’ by technicians to one where information is verifi ed and managed remotely by a single operator. And there is more precise control as operators can remotely set and modify crane parameters and monitor safety. Real-time tracking of a crane’s position means they can pinpoint its location in case of theft.
proposed crane location, travel path, and location of 3D objects, all set onto a scaled Google Map image. ‘Rigging Designer’ is a faster way to create custom rigging plans using hundreds of pre-built 3D rigging loads and objects. ‘Jobsite Designer’ allows Google 3D Buildings and Google Topography to be imported for
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46 CRANES TODAY
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