Innovation is what you need

CeMAT 2008 was bold, bustling and busy. Just ask anyone who was there.

Sepp Heckmann, chairman of the managing board at organiser Deutsche Messe, said: “The huge turnout by visitors from abroad has been sensational.” And short of one or two exceptions, he had a point.

Konecranes, for example, stayed well away from Hall 12, where the majority of the overhead lifting companies exhibited, represented only by a small stand concentrating on port equipment across the way. The flag was still flown by a number of Konecranes-owned brands but its absence was noted, as was the lack of a UK presence.

But that was just idle small talk in the aisles. Visitor satisfaction was reported to be high, with 84% of attendees surveyed by the organiser indicating that they would be back for the next show in three years time. On the feedback we picked up at the Hoist stand throughout the week, this is not surprising. We’ll certainly be going back.

Given the forward-focussed way we do business these days, you should probably make a note that the next CeMAT show will take place from 3-7 May 2011.

Find here the first part of a comprehensive round-up from this year’s show floor. Don’t miss the July/August issue for the second installment.

Autec presented its newest handsets MK 06 and MK 08, which completed the Modular series along with MK 10 and MK 12, and unveiled its new company logo.

The series, which includes handsets and joystick controllers, is certified by TÜV Süddeutschland for its functional safety. In addition to the usual ergonomic shape that eases control in difficult working environments, the new 6/8 transmitters are even more compact and allow the employment of different actuator types (pushbuttons, toggle switches, rotary-switches, also with removable key).

“This way,” Autec said, “it is possible to create a tailor-made solution that suits the specific needs of the customer for any hoisting and material handling application in the building and industrial field.”

Another version adds up to the two standard handsets: the 6-pushbutton, Data Feedback version, that shows on the display data collected from sensors and alarms coming from the machine.

Chaineries Limousines showed a range of lifting chain products, including polished, zinc plated and galvanised versions.

Cheng Day Machinery Works Co., Ltd. showed its BLFD electric chain hoist with variable frequency and standard two-speed control. The unit weighs 16-17kg but can lift 240kg, or 480kg in two-fall. It is supplied with its own carrying case.

On a product-focussed stand, Finnish firm Erikkila showed its Light Crane System, a complete system for industrial environments. “It improves productivity when handling loads up to 2,000kg,” according to Erikkila.

The so-called Prosystem helps operators increase assembly, production and maintenance efficiency, it added. The system can be equipped with different types of hoists. The most common is a standard electric chain hoist. Other options are manual, pneumatic and vacuum operated lifting devices.

The Prosystem is durable due to its closed profile construction which prevents the system from being exposed to dust. Profiles are surface treated with impact resistant powder coating. Standard profiles are delivered in full 1-8m in colour yellow RAL 1007. Other colours and surface treatments are available on request.

It also showed its EBL bluetooth technology balance lifter, for loads up to 100kg. It said: “The unit enhances ergonomics of lifting work and increases productivity.” Bluetooth technology prevents the need for standard controls.

EBL is a double speed lifting device, “easy to use with a hand control unit,” Erikkila said. Versatile mechanical lifting tools and grippers can be attached to the EBL instead of a standard hook, it concluded.

Coel Motori showed its complete line of AC or DC brake motors.

Units offer hoisting or travelling with two- or three-speed 2/8 poles, 2/12, 4/12, 4/16 or on customer request. Brakes are IP66 certified for marine application.

Additionally, Coel introduced its patent pending and Ex certified ATEX VIS brake modules. This solution allows users to mount the Ex VIS brake module to IEC Ex motors, or to any power transmission unit, “without structural modification or extension of the certification,” it said.

It was the first CeMAT show since Demag was floated in the Prime Standard section of the Frankfurt stock exchange. Its stand had a corporate feel to it, without a product in sight.

In June 2006, the business activities of Demag Cranes & Components GmbH and Gottwald Port Technology GmbH were brought closer together under the umbrella of a joint stock corporation by the name of Demag Cranes AG. The newly formed industrial group has three segments – namely industrial cranes, port technology and services.

Peter Hering, head of the Demag Cranes & Components’ German sales organisation, said: “For some time, we have been participating in the continuing economic upturn and can refer to the good capacity utilisation of our plants.”

FELS showed its new Mobilis Elite electrical supply rail. A patented principle of self-breaking screws “ensures optimum tightening torque for each fixing,” according to FELS. Put simply, when torque is achieved the screw breaks. When the screw breaks, a second hexagonal end appears, thus making subsequent removal easier using a key-like tool.

Industrias Electromecanicas GH SA showed, among other things, its electric wire rope hoist. Foot mounted, low headroom, double girder crab and double girder crab with end carriage models are all available.

“The helical teeth in all the gears are cut with precision, in cemented steel, assuring silent running, great reliability and long life,” it said. The drive from the motor to the gearbox is direct, avoiding coupling devices “which have a tendency to fail,” it added.

All of the gears are lubricated by an oil bath in the interior of a closed casing, while machining of the gear locations is made by “high precision” machining tools.

The hoist has a cylindrical short circuit motor with an incorporated electromagnetic brake. The motor and brake have been designed for continuous service with high duty factors and cycles.

All GH units are fitted with a security limit switch, while the drums are manufactured to FEM 966 standard.

GH also supplies equipment for the marine industry, where its product range includes rotary jib cranes and pneumatic gantries.

New to the Hetronic range is its hand held Ergo remote control for industrial applications. The company has four manufacturing facilities and sales representatives in 45 countries.

One of the talking points of the show was Kito‘s Advanced 3D Crane Control System. Operators simply mount the control (which arguably looks like a Nintendo Wii controller) on their arm and use the angle of their arm to direct the crane. A demonstration was in constant use on the stand. A single button controls the start, speed and stop motion.

The operator determines the crane’s travel direction with the horizontal angle of their forearm, while the hoisting operation is controlled with the vertical angle of their arm.

Kito also showed its ER2 electric chain hoist, offering innovative inverter technology, a new electromagnetic brake, newly developed load sheave, carbon friction clutch and upgraded load chain.

“The frequency inverter achieves a considerably smoother movement than the pole-change motor, thus reducing load swing,” according to Kito. The standard speed ratio is present to 6:1 in the factory but can be individually adjusted to 12:1 (traversing speed 10:1). This enables the operator to position the load even more precisely, Kito added.

If a speed different to that offered as standard is required, customers should state the requested ratio at the time of placing the order, Kito advised.

Jaso showcased its EOT crane range in addition to a raft of other lifting equipment including gantry cranes and carriages and transfer cars.

Jaso also designs hoists from 1-80t capacity in accordance with FEM.

Hitachi Europe GmbH exhibited its range of electric chain hoists, targeted at a wide range of applications from primary to tertiary industries including warehouses and retail stores. Units are fitted with helical gearing, used where practical to ensure quiet operation. “A patented automatic adjusting brake ensures easier maintenance and added safety,” it said.

Additional features include reverse phase inspection relay, limit switch, auxiliary brake system, plug-in cables, pushbutton cable and pushbutton switch.

The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) stand attracted visitors all week.

Motorman showed its new weighing hook block system for bridge cranes, “with no height loss,” it said. The unit is adaptable for all crane capacities and applications.

Its TP weighing pulley, meanwhile, has the same configuration as a conventional pulley but it incorporates a highly reliable load cell with a precision of 0.1%, it said.

Motorman also exhibited its range of grabs with motorised rotation and opening for handling of all kinds of coils. Its 860 system was also on show, the newest of its radio remote control systems with homologated emergency stop, as was its joystick option, able to control a maximum of 60 functions simultaneously.

Pewag, a leading chain manufacturer, unveiled its latest innovative chain system in G12 quality, the Winner Pro range. This year marks the fifth anniversary and the European premiere on the CeMAT stage of the G12 programme.

“After the sucessful product launch in 2003 in USA, the programme was relaunched and expanded to fullfil the specific requirements of the European market,” said Karl Heinz Fuchsbichler, Pewag key account manager – industrial chains.

He highlighted key advantages of the profile chain including 20% higher load capacity compared to G10, weight reduction, optimised bending resistance and longer service life. The Winner Pro chain system can be used in a wide range of applications, including overhead lifting and load securing.

Latin-French firm Sorelex Ltd., which has distribution in more than 20 European countries exhibited its range of lifting and lashing products. On show were its webbing slings where, in addition to colour coding, the number of black lines indicates the SWL/WLL. One particular range on show comes with safety factor 7:1.

The company also manufactures flat endless polyester slings to various safety factors and widths. Also on show were tubular roundslings, side-stitched roundslings and cargo lashings.

Airpes showed its electric load limiter ALM-100/CNE, which can control up to two lifting devices. Also on the stand was its mechanical load limiter ALM/M-100, available in 250-8,500kg capacity.

Commercial director Josep Compte said: “We also came to some agreements with a lot of people around the world and our guard systems for overhead cranes were well received by a number of engineers at key crane manufacturers.”

Stahl CraneSystems GmbH unveiled its new STK chain hoist, offering capacities up to 5t with an extra short headroom trolley. Benefits include bigger chain and drive and increased lifetime, it said.

Stahl also highlighted the double hook chain hoist with adjustable distance between the hooks, capable of transporting different lengths of material with one chain hoist. Notably, there is no more use of a cross beam, thus better headroom dimensions are achieved.

It also showcased its explosion protected chain hoists, wire rope hoists, including explosion proof versions, a single girder top running crane and a range of wheel blocks.

The twin drive concept (TDC) from Stahl CraneSystems “is the uncompromising solution for hoists in accordance with DIN EN 14492-2, Appendix B,” it said. Hoists in TDC design “are suitable for transporting molten metals and other goods with similar risk potential,” it added. Wire rope hoists on the TDC are equipped as standard with two motor-gear units. Both motors are always synchronously controlled.

Spanish remote company Itowa showed its Winner and Tunner remote controls, both of which come with new receivers. The Winner’s main feature is an advanced data feedback system, while Itowa hoped to tempt the overhead crane market with the Tunner.

It also showed its so-called supervision and control interface (SCI) units, which “control any machinery or industrial process without the necessity of displacement,” Itowa said. It added, the data can be managed and monitored from any computer through the company website, thanks to GPRS technology. Also on show were new receivers, “totally compatible with the whole line of controls.”

Tele Radio showed its full range of Lion, Leopard, Jaguar and Cougar remote controls, complete with brand new marketing material.

The Jaguar range, for example, is designed for use with overhead crane applications. “The design focuses on sturdy construction using premium components which makes it a durable yet easy to handle remote control solution,” it said.

Jaguar uses the license free 433-434 MHz narrow band, FM modulation. With a total of 64 different channels to choose from, finding an available operational frequency is easy, even with other radio remote controls close nearby, it added.

Taiwan-based Yoke Industrial Corp. presented a range of products, including its hoist ring, “providing dependable lifting and lashing means for ease of use when lifting heavy loads of different materials and shapes,” it said.

Due to its ball bearing construction, Yoke hoist rings rotate freely through 360 degrees and are available for loads from 4-40t with a designed safety factor of 5:1.

The rings have been proof tested to 2.5 times working load limit. Yoke added that units are “easy to install (need only one tap hole) and are available in bushing and ball bearing” versions.

In Brief

Forjas Irizar showed its range of forged hooks and lifting components.

The firm manufactures lifting components with capacities ranging from 1-1,000t, including single and double steel forged hooks, laminated hooks, sheaves, standard hook blocks and hook blocks according to drawings.

It also used the show to market its load testing service, which it can provide for lifting hooks, hook blocks, chain links, shackles, shafts and braces.

Industrias Galarza SA showed a range of flexible energy supply systems through cable trolleys and its LM-4 Modular Conductor System, a PVC insulated 4-pole conductor system for mobile power feeding.

The LM-4 “channels electrical protection with the use of current displacement,” Industrias Galarza said, suitable for use on cranes, hoists and other moving electrical machinery.

The system can be installed in or outdoors with service temperatures between -30 and 60 degrees C. For outdoor installation, it explained, the system components are specially treated, while screws are made of stainless steel.

Irugasa Italia Srl showed its full range of wheel assemblies, suitable for use on travelling cranes of any kind, it said, “even those intended for heavy and intensive duty.” The company is also an agent for Spanish firm Gosan SA, which itself exhibited from its range of mechanically welded sheaves, made from rolled steel. It also supplies solid (forged bar) cast or plastic sheaves.

Gosan’s complete range of hook blocks are designed in accordance with the latest technical advances, it said. “We adapt the designs to the demands of each sector,” creating blocks for chain hoists, for example.

Teodoro Hernandez Martin, commercial manager, and Marta Galarza Echaburu, commercial staff, represented Ramon Galarza.