Straightpoint’s loadcell weighs offshore wind station

The weather station is being used in Europe's first commercial floating offshore wind measurement project, overseen by Dong Energy and Flidar.

The load test was carried out to ensure the station, which weighs 6.5t, could be safely lifted and transported to its final location in the Irish Sea, and that it would be balanced when at sea.

The loadcell recorded all test weights, including those of individual components and the complete station.

John Dodgson, senior rigging and inspection engineer at Larkin, said: "The Flidar equipment consists of a marine buoy equipped with a state-ofthe- art buoy-adapted Leosphere Windcube c2 Lidar, held in a passive mechanical stablisation system. The Straightpoint loadcell was used to take load test measurements on the lifting points on Flidar.

"I used Straightpoint's Handheld Plus to take measurements of the marine buoy and the windcube. Once Flidar was assembled, the loadcell's peak load function was used to record the total load, so that calculation could be set for the proof loads to be applied.

"Finally the peak load function recorded the total proof load applied to the single lifting point. The digital read-out is always photographed and forms part of the certification documentation of the proof loading tests."

Brigade Electronics
The latest camera from Brigade Electronics offers the widest viewing angle in the company's portfolio, and is suitable for use in most positions on vehicles.

Part of the VBV-3XXC series and called the Eyeball, the camera is said to be designed for side, front, rear and internal applications, with a viewing angle of 102° x 78° x 145°.

The wide view enables the driver to see more potential danger zones, says Brigade, and the adjustable ball and socket lens allows installation in almost any position.

The camera features five LEDs to assist performance in low light conditions, and an integrated microphone provides an audio stream.

DICA
A rack which enables outrigger pads to be transported on rough terrain cranes has been introduced by DICA.

Called the ZeroLift Pad Rack, the accessory fits onto the front or rear of an RT crane and provides 1,000lb of capacity for outrigger pads in sizes up to 48in x 60in.

The rack, made of high-strength steel, weighs 60lb and does not affect the crane's load chart. It can be folded away when not in use.

The development reduces the risk of injuries to operators or damage to cranes caused by manual lifting of outrigger pads, says DICA.

HookCam
HookCam Europe, a manufacturer of wireless camera systems for use on the hook block of cranes, has appointed James Desira as national sales manager for the UK.

The HookCam system delivers a live video stream of an aerial view from the crane's hook to the operator in the cabin, enabling safer and more efficient operation, says the company.

James Desira joins the company from his previous role as regional sales manager at Nationwide Powered Access.

Inspection Toolbox
An online system for managing the inspection life cycle of cranes, designed to eliminate the associated paperwork, has been launched by Inspection Toolbox.

The system is accessible through devices with internet connection, and enables operators to use inspection data for strategic analysis.

It is suitable for small-scale asset portfolios through to the operations of multi-national companies, says Inspection Toolbox, as well as for equipment across the crane, hoisting and lifting industries.

The system was developed as an alternative to paper-based inspection programmes to streamline the inspection life cycle and lower associated costs, adds the company.

Intercomp
Minnesota-based Intercomp has upgraded its CS750 crane scale with extended battery life and the company's RFX Wireless Weighing Technology.

The CS750 is available in a range of capacities from 50- 500kg, and now has a battery life of 800 hours, or 5,000 hours in standby mode.

The RFX Wireless Weighing Technology is available as an optional feature, and the system also incorporates a range of keypad functions such as calculating accumulated weight and setting tare.

LCM Systems
Load cell specialist LCM Systems has launched an online ordering facility through its company website.

The company's portfolio includes its CDIT compression load cells, the RILL Load Link series, DCE tension/compression series, Telshack-B load shackles and the aluminium alloy S-Type load cells, all of which can now be ordered online.

LCM, based on the Isle of Wight, UK, is currently offering a 5% discount for online orders, as well as free UK delivery, typically within 48 hours, says the company.