Jib crane manufacturer Gorbel Inc of the USA has introduced an ‘intelligent lifting device’ called the G-Force, designed to maintain a smooth and stable lift at high-speed, repetitive lifting cycles.
The 68kg (150lb) SWL device works by sensing the load weight, Gorbel says. The force that an operator exerts to lift any load up to 68kg with the G-Force is just 1.4kg. The G-Force gives the operator a sense of how heavy a load is by slightly reducing the speed of the unit proportional to the weight of the load, the manufacturer says. The unit moves a little faster with lighter loads and slower with heavier loads, but the speed change is not significant enough to affect productivity.
“It’s like giving the operator Bionic arm control,” Gorbel claims. The device is capable of lifting speeds from 0.6m/min to 84m/min. It works without pendant buttons and is just moved around by the operator, thus working at his/her own speed.
By giving the operator a feel for the weight of the load and reducing speed when lifting heavy loads, the operator’s safety awareness is enhanced, says Gorbel.
Another safety feature is the loss load protection which prevents the device moving if electric power is cut out or if sensors or connectors malfunction.
The handling aid will be on show at the NA 2000 trade fair in Detroit, 10-13 April.
