Crane technology matters

Mike James, Konecranes

Chief among our contributions to crane technology is the SMARTON crane. SMARTON is a module-based system of crane technology that provides customers great flexibility in adapting their equipment to the evolving needs of their operations.

We work with customers to configure lifting equipment built according to their specific requirements and the great thing about SMARTON is that modules can be added later as a customer’s needs change.

Not every application requires a “smart” crane, but cranes last a long time. Crane applications and use typically change over time. And as these changes occur, a customer can re-visit the available features to improve their operation.

 

Easy feature additions helps keep costs in check

SMARTON helps businesses spread out the costs of new equipment, because it allows them to add Smart Features for specific operational processes as they are needed and as financial resources allow.

What are some of these Smart Features?

• Sway Control
• Automatic positioning/load locating – In the past this was expensive automation
• Zone control/restricted zone operation – again in the past this was expensive automation
• Multiple hoist and complete crane synchronization
• Multiple load limits coordinated to zone control
• Hoist speeds “tuned” to load size – adaptive and extended hoist speed ranges.

In addition to the above, TRUCONNECT Remote Monitoring is another of the many features available in SMARTON modules.

 

Maintenance is made easier with SMARTON

SMARTON offers customers the advantage of quick response for maintenance needs and makes it easy for technicians to quickly identify the cause of problems. The SMARTON service panel is designed to help technicians quickly get to the source of any issues.

The latest advance for high production, repetitive motion cranes is energy-saving capabilities. With SMARTON regenerative braking, energy trapped from lowering loads (gravity) and inertia from the slowing crane structure is engineered to return to the power grid as regenerated electricity, reducing energy consumption and costs by up to a third. In a conventional crane this energy is burned up as heat mainly through resistors.

SMARTON cranes, and the exceptional advantages they provide, continue to demonstrate why crane technology matters.

 

Learn more about SMARTON cranes

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