Features Archive
Archive of features from the global hoist industryFeatures By Date
November 2020
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Work lift balance
The “work smarter not harder” mantra seems to have pervaded all areas of industry. Fortunately the opportunities for the use of workstation cranes is also becoming wider with a greater choice of structural materials, lifting capacities and installation options all helping to open up the workplace to new solutions. Simon Hastelow reports.
Paperless inspection technology
Karl Ahlgren, marketing manager at Pervidi, discusses the benefits of digitalising inspection.
Consistent performance
New technologies and partnerships are improving maintenance and inspection in our industry. Daniel Searle reports.
The long way round
A ship-to-shore container crane from Sany has been delivered to its new owners in Latvia, after a monumental effort from the manufacturer’s team.
October 2020
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Getting heavy
Heavy lifting hoists and overhead cranes are more than just scaled-up versions of smaller systems. Julian Champkin investigates.
Next generation
Gantry cranes for use at ports are getting makeovers, with new units and retrofitted existing cranes being fitted with automation capability, as well as safety and efficiency upgrades. Daniel Searle reports.
American Exceptionalism
A growing pandemic, a looming presidential election, an unpredictable stock market, and an unemployment rate in the double-digits. And yet, somehow, opportunity? Parts of the American hoist market are performing surprisingly better than expected, although the industry as a whole hasn’t been left completely unscathed. Mike Straus investigates.
Water works
Finmotor OY supplied a Kito SHER2M electric chain hoist to lift water pumps during maintenance routine at a water treatment facility in Finland, built by Skanska.
August 2020
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Renewed Interest
Energy production used to mean coal, oil and gas, with nuclear as an adjunct. Not any more: alternative sources are set to overtake fossil fuels, and the lifting equipment they will need is as varied as the sources. Julian Champkin reports.
R&M App allows remote data access
US-based R&M Materials Handling has launched its Overhead Lifting Information (OLI) app, which enables operators to remotely read real-time usage and condition data from the accompanying HoistMonitor system.
Automation for container handling from Kalmar
Kalmar, part of Finland-based Cargotec, has introduced Kalmar One, designed to be the first truly open automation system for the container handling industry, says the company—adding that it has the potential to make the adoption of automation easier for terminals of all kinds by removing existing barriers and mitigating risks.
Jaso and Tecnalia convert industrial cranes into robots
A new development from Spain’s Jaso Industrial Cranes opens up a wide range of possibilities for automating manual and precision processes, such as the automatic polishing of wind turbine blades.
Quick and Easy Digitalisation from Columbus Mckinnon
The first element of Columbus McKinnon’s Intelli-Crane suite of digital motion control systems, Intelli-Protect, was introduced earlier this year, with the next—Intelli-Lift— due for launch this month.
Computer Love
Digitalisation is enhancing performance and safety across the lifting sector with a raft of innovations. Daniel Searle looks first at Condra’s move into semi- and fully-automated cranes.
July 2020
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Carry it off
Portable cranes are generally hand powered and can be lifted or moved by one person. Julian Champkin looks at these light but useful lifters.
Forward thinking
With the 2020 Hannover Messe exhibition postponed until next April, Daniel Searle rounds up some of the latest innovations from Europe.
June 2020
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The height of entertainment
When entertainment events resume around the world, specialist stage lifting manufacturers will be ready for them. Julian Champkin looks at latest products and some recent shows that took place prior to Covid-19.
States of the art
This year’s Modex show took place in Atlanta, USA, just before international travel began to be curtailed by Covid-19. Daniel Searle caught up with some of the exhibitors remotely to discuss their key developments
Flight delays
The sale of hoists to the aerospace industry was booming before the COVID-19 pandemic grounded the majority of international air travel. Tom Woerndl talked to the key players in the sector.
Observe the skies
An Australian space surveillance project is using Konecranes equipment for installation and maintenance of the telescope and building.
