Over the last decade, the control of cranes and machinery by radio controls has be-come a standard application in modern production and logistics systems. Radio systems save time, increase operating safety and efficiency. In contrast to the operation by cable control, or from a control cabin, operators are completely mobile with a radio control.
They can at all times choose the position with the best view on the load, which minimizes potential dangers to the operator that could result from unexpected obstacles in the driving path. Being able to move around also enables the operator to gather a comprehensive overview of the whole working situation. Accident risks for other workers in the driving area of the crane that an operator with a cable control would not be able to see can be prevented.
Radio controls also increase efficiency – which is especially important under difficult economic conditions. In contrast to the control from a control cabin, the operator can fasten the load by himself without needing assistance. And if the crane is not used at the moment, the operator can perform other tasks without having to climb down from the cabin. Additionally, wireless controls reduce unnecessary walking paths because the operator does not need to walk to the crane to move it to his working position with the cable control. He can simply get the crane with the radio control right from where he stands. And last but not least, radio technology also enhances the possibilities for crane operations. A good example is the simultaneous control of 2 cranes with a single radio control for transporting exceptionally long or bulky goods. This functionality could not be directly implemented with a cable control.
Also in the area of service, the use of radio controls offers easier workflows. For example, HBC radio systems offer the easy activation of a spare transmitter by means of the electronic key radiomatic iLOG if the original transmitter is damaged. Work can continue without downtime. For cable controls, such cases would pose greater problems, because the damaged system needs to be disassembled and a new system needs to be installed. The optional feature MRC (Multi-Receiver-Concept) by HBC-radiomatic has a lot of potential in regards to ease of installation and resource savings. Each crane drive or crane component is fitted with a receiver. These receivers only control the commands of the respective drive. The costly installation of trailing cables and the ensuing need for maintaining them can thus be eliminated. Following the developments of crane technology, control technology has shown great innovations over the last 10 to 15 years. As before, improvements in regards to working safety, efficiency and operating comfort are central aspects. These improvements are especially accomplished by a considerably enhanced range of available additional functions and features.
For example, just as with mobile communications, the display technology in control systems has become more and more sophisticated. The size of the display, color indication as well as easy, individual configuration offer a whole range of new possibilities for displaying diverse information items. Several HBC radio controls come standard with a 3.5" TFT display. With this display, the operator has easy access to the most important operational data and can react accordingly.
And the fact that display technology still allows for continued innovations is demonstrated by the most current development by HBC-radiomatic: the live video transmission with video camera offers safe operation in complicated working areas. This top feature works with up to 8 video cameras simultaneously. They can be installed in a good position on the machine or in the working environment and then transmit precise live images to the 3.5" TFT display of the transmitter over a separate radio link.
However, the increasing use of radio controls opens up a very important issue: the availability of free radio channels in areas with a "packed" radio spectrum. HBC-radiomatic offers a wide range of frequency management procedures that are specifically designed for such working areas.
For instance, with the Automatic Frequency Selection radiomatic AFS (Automatic Frequency Selection) the radio system automatically searches for a free radio channel as soon as the transmitter is activated. If another user happens to activate a radio system on the same channel, the transmitter only needs to be switched off and on again. radiomatic AFS immediately looks for a free radio channel and work continues without any loss of time.
In the light of these many advantages, we still see a lot of potential for radio technology in the near future. This not only applies to the use on cranes – here they have been a standard for years now – but also for new fields of applications in intralogistics, such as logistic vehicles and high racks.
