FEATURE | INDUSTRY 4.0
A brave new world
Industry 4.0 is upon us – but where is the lifting industry on the adoption curve? OCH takes a look at some of the key trends and how they are impacting the crane and hoist markets.
L
ike many trends, Industry 4.0 began as a buzzword. But it has become vitally important to businesses across the industrial, engineering and manufacturing sectors. With lifting equipment integral to those operations, how is the overhead crane and hoist sector responding to this trend? The main facets of Industry 4.0 are automation and digitalisation, which often go hand in hand. In some respects, both are responses to challenges faced by many workplaces right now, and the most obvious is labour. “No one wants to run a crane anymore,” says Wes Jackman, commercial manager at CareGo Tek, a leader in overhead crane automation. “It’s loud, it’s dangerous and the pay is typically the lowest in the plants.” Despite this, he notes that, initially, many companies were reluctant to invest in automation, seeing material handling as a non-value-added process. However, as recruitment and retention become increasingly challenging, more companies are turning to solutions like Carego Tek’s TELIA automation technology. TELIA leverages automation to optimise vertical space, maximising storage capacity without compromising efficiency. CareGo Tek says this enhances operational output and cultivates an environment where safety is paramount. It is also available in a handheld version, which instructs workers on where to place inventory for optimal storage and safety. For rubber tire gantry (RTG) crane manufacturer Mi-Jack, crane automation is now a given for workers. “The employment pool of their customer base requires these tools to be in place in order to complete tasks in a successful manner,” says Aaron Newton, executive vice president of sales at Mi-Jack Products and chief
marketing officer at Lanco Group of Companies. “It’s expected at this point,” he adds. Mi-Jack is best known for its container handling solutions in terminals. But it also has years of expertise in deploying its Mi-Star system on the East Coast for steel and concrete handling, where it powers semi-autonomous operations of Mi-Jack’s Travelift RTG cranes. Its Accusteer auto-steering module has also been used for many years on Travelift cranes in bridge construction applications. Mi-Jack’s Mi-Star technology enables multiple
RTG cranes to run without an operator. When paired with an auto-spreader, no rigging is needed, thereby making the process safer and more efficient. Semi-autonomous operation enables the machines to drive, hoist and traverse independently, requiring human intervention only for the final few feet of the operation and the actual pick. The operator can be located elsewhere and controls the machines remotely. Mi-Star’s modules combine to provide asset, personnel, and equipment tracking, which Mi-Jack says helps with safe and efficient operations. To facilitate this functionality, the cranes are equipped with multiple positioning and steering technologies, including GPS, laser scanners and cameras. These technologies work together to ensure the safe and accurate operation of the machines. Meanwhile, the mining sector is also taking note and adopting or integrating smart technology into heavy duty hoists. ABB sees two main approaches to modernising mining with Industry 4.0 technologies. Some are upgrading their existing hoisting equipment by adding digital features like ABB Ability Smart Hoisting. This includes advanced condition
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