The company, which is a subsidiary of Cargotec, will work with two academic partners in Poland and one in Sweden. The project seeks to develop a new approach to control systems in order to improve operational safety conditions and the efficiency of load handling equipment. The research will also attempt to create design strategies for advanced light materials applied to load handling structures, in order to reduce their weight and fuel consumption at the same time.
Hiab said that partners were selected on the basis of knowledge, experience and infrastructure. The West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland will contribute expertise in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and mechatronics. Silesian University of Technology from Poland will share its know-how in structural engineering, especially strengthening of structures. The Swedish Lulea University of Technology will offer its experience in robust industrial sensor technology.
Rafal Sornek, Hiab’s vice president, research and development, said: "The project will involve taking a multidisciplinary approach to crane construction and we will promote the mutual transfer of knowledge between academic and industrial partners, as well as between academic partners from different countries."
The project has been funded by the EU’s Industrial and Academy Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) and 7th Framework Programme. IAPP’s role is to promote innovation and knowledge transfer between industry and academia partners throughout the EU.
