This kind of software is nothing new, notwithstanding the fact that it is on the internet. What is interesting is that some of these tools are actually being developed for technical end users, particularly those that specify light crane systems. This software can help users play around with the crane specification.
But this do-it-yourself approach does not extend to actually buying the crane. All of these tools eventually refer the user to a dealer for purchase.
In October 2004, Gorbel launched a web site called Architects and Engineers that it markets exclusively for the use of these end users.
Since then, the company has signed up 300 users, according to Jennifer d’Alessandro, Web publications designer/developer.
The site offers lots of brochures, a matrix that covers the working range of each of the Gorbel cranes, and formal guides to help users write a specification document for the crane. It has published three-part specification documents that organise procedures, materials and installation in different sections, and which are an industry standard in the US, according to d’Alessandro. It has published these for jib cranes, and plans to publish three-part specs for overhead gantry workstation cranes and Cleveland Tramrail in a few months.
The Gorbel system also includes a link into the company’s internal specification software that has been developed for its dealers, called Crane Brain. It has a relatively simple user interface and I would say could be used by non-specialists. The system also generates a CAD drawing and a quotation form.
But it does not give pricing or components lists. The next step is for users to print out the quote and post it in to Gorbel for a dealer to come back to them.
KCI Konecranes offers a friendly user interface that is free for all comers that helps users specify jib cranes, light overhead cranes, hoists and larger cranes. It asks users for some basic measurements, and outputs the data into a more systematic table that it recommends you send to a dealer through its online form.
In January, Demag Cranes & Components in the USA launched a tool to select and design KBK light crane systems intended more for the firm’s 120 distributors. The system also helps design larger overhead cranes. The form requires more knowledge of the Demag product range, as well as lots of specific measurements. But it does a lot more, too, generating not only CAD drawings but also a complete order list. The company is merging the current system with a worldwide front end, said MD John Paxton.
Columbus McKinnon’s Loderail light crane system has published a freely-available spreadsheet tool on its web site. This is a kind of super-sized order sheet that helps compute the size of the crane and also creates an order list. On the other hand, it is the most technical of all of the tools, and it does not create an image of the specified crane.
“It is mainly for dealers or even end users to be able to set up and plug in specific numbers if they have certain height or width restrictions,” said Loderail mechanical design engineer Keith Bailey.
The company is also developing new crane quotation forms based on a word processing document that are promised to be simpler and easier to fill out and which include a generic 3D sketch. CM is rolling out to sales reps over the next year. It would eventually be posted on the web site for all, according to Bailey.
