The product supplies remote monitoring of crane health, real-time data logging and alarm notifications through constant monitoring of critical components. The system provides access to a customised, secure website as well as email alert notification of pre-defined faults and failures.
Acco Material Handling Solutions showed a range of overhead lifting products. Its electric chain hoists, for example, offer a range of standard features, including dual brake system, upper and lower limit switch, overload alert and push-button control.
Avtron Industrial Automation exhibited its ACCel500 AC crane drive.
Cervis, Inc. showcased its DC crane packages, which are used in many of north America’s largest mills, including AK Steel, Jersey Shore Steel and ArcelorMittal Steel.
Each DC package features mill duty contractors and relays and is manufactured to “stringent quality assurance procedures,” it said. The systems meet EU directives 99/5 and 98/3.
American Crane & Equipment Corporation has expanded its current product line to include standardised industrial hoist machinery meeting Class D and E requirements. All equipment is designed per Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) specifications.
Its built-up hoist is available in capacities up to 300 tons and is designed for high speed and heavy duty service. The hoist features, among other things, hardened steel wheels, helical travel drive gearing, forged steel hook, hardened steel sheaves, and double grooved drum for true vertical lift.
Coel Motori exhibited for the first time at this show, showing its complete line of crane motors, including its explosion proof units.
Coel acts as an engineering company, targeting OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) forced to evolve in the wake of economic uncertainty, supplying induction motors into the States sometimes for supply back into the European market.
Coel said: “We will study case by case the best way to supply drive units for the crane industry.”
Gorbel, Inc. launched a higher capacity Easy ArmÆ Q/iQ Intelligent Lifting Arm, integrating patented G-ForceÆ Q and iQ lifting technology and processor controlled servo-drive system into an articulating jib design.
It also unveiled a tool solutions product line which features new 50 and 150lb jib cranes, along with a new tool trolley. The new Tool Solutions jib is the latest addition to Gorbel’s enclosed track work station jib product line. It was designed to be a smaller, lighter, and more cost effective solution for applications with suspended tools.
Also on the booth was the new Tether Track fall arrest anchor systems, “a reliable, cost-effective way to reduce the risk of injury in elevated work environments,” it said. Standard systems are designed to support multiple workers, each weighing up to 310lbs with tools. Heavier worker systems can also be custom engineered.
MGM Electric Motors NA Inc. showed two lines of brake motors, namely BA and BM.
The BA series main features include:
– high brake torque
– high brake duty cycle
– high Ts/Tn rate (up to 2.9)
– manual brake release
– easily adjustable brake torque
– precise and consistent reliable braking
– incredibly fast brake reaction time
BM series motors are standard brake motors equipped with a DC brake, which it said “leads to compact and silent units”.
Demag Cranes & Components showed its DC chain hoist, and also used the show to raise the profile of its DR20 wire rope hoist.
Configurations range from the standard DR COM unit with contactor control or the individually customised DR PRO with electronic control.
The DR20 PRO hoist extends the DR line to capacities up to 50 tons and features wireless infrared control.
Its booth was well populated all week.
Harrington Hoists Inc. showcased its recently launched NER/ER three-phase electric chain hoists modified with “many enhanced features,” it said.
For example, these hoists are now equipped with ‘The Guardian’ smart brake technology, a failsafe maintenance-free brake with a 10-year warranty. All standard models are UL listed. Capacities, ranging from from 1/8 to 20 tons, are offered in standard single speed and under-the-cover variable frequency drive dual speed.
Hitachi America, Ltd., which is targeting the north American overhead lifting market, showed its variable frequency crane and hoist drives, namely the SJ700 and SJ200 Series. A Detroit Hoist and Crane Co. unit, fitted with Hitachi control equipment, was on the booth.
Hitachi outlined advantages of the SJ200 system, such as compact size, ease of installation, powerful function set and built-in PLC-type logic and timing functions.
The SJ700 is a large capacity, high torque drive with a powerful function set, offering advanced vector control technology, providing high starting torque or 200% or more at 0.3Hz.
The unit also provides closed-loop capability with optional encoder feedback board, sophisticated external brake control and, like the 200 Series, advanced trip avoidance functions.
Both series are empowered for crane and hoist service by means of a unique Hitachi pendant interface board. Inverters feature easy programming via the removable standard keypad, or using the advanced PC-based ProDrive software.
The newly formed Overhead Alliance (OA), a Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) group entity, exhibited for the first time at ProMat.
The OA was formed to serve member companies organised under certain MHIA affiliated trade associations: CMAA (Crane Manufacturers Association of America), HMI (Hoist Manufacturers Institute), and MMA (Monorail Manufacturers Association). The three groups faced common opportunities and challenges, and determined they could compound the results of their efforts by joining forces and pooling resources.
A range of literature was available from the booth, where visitors were randomly selected for hourly giveaways of member companies’ merchandise.
OA also hosted educational workshops.
Canada-based, O’Brien Installations Ltd., a licensed partner with Vetter Foerdertechnik GmbH, and one of North America’s leading jib crane manufacturers, exhibited its line of German-engineered, high capacity, multi-purpose jib cranes.
Power Electronics International, Inc. celebrated its 40th anniversary. It exhibited a working control panel with high temperature crane and hoist drives, in addition to its new Page-Swap programming features.
Yale showed its Shaw-Box crane kit, complete with new end trucks, which, it said, will allow it to be “more competitive” in the marketplace.
The economical kits can reduce build-time and enable crane builders to quickly and easily produce a wide variety of cranes.
With capacities up to 15 tons (single girder) and 20 tons (double girder), the kits can be quoted using online estimating software available to all Yale Shaw-Box distributors.
Shepard Niles exhibited from a neighbouring booth to Hoist, where steady traffic was welcomed all week.
Spanco, Inc., a manufacturer of overhead material handling products, as well as Rigid Lifeline fall protection systems, gave distributors and end users the opportunity to view and interact with a wide range of products. It also used the show to expand its distributor network.
Tele Radio America LLC showcased its T70-Jaguar system, the first unit it has specifically designed for the American market.
Vitali International Lifting Equipment Ltd. exhibited a range of chain and lever hoists, including its so-called K-V Type lever hoist. The model is available from 0.8 to 9t units.
Kundel Industries showed its do-it-yourself modern light crane system, a complete floor-supported crane.
Fomotech International Corp. showed a range of remote control products for overhead lifting equipment, including its A Series industrial radio controls, Twister 2X, MA 100, Alpha 600, 4000 and two- and three-speed 3000 Series units.
