There was a clear sense of optimism in the air at March’s Hannover Fair in Germany. Visitor numbers at what is billed as the world’s largest industrial show, at least met expectations, with approximately 270,000 attendees at the six day event. Content of the fair is changing due to the rapid rate of development in the industry. The amount of hardware on show has decreased, but software expanded to fill a whole hall this year. New products and services, including entire new equipment ranges, were present in abundance. New technology, particularly for remote control, is pushing back the boundaries of possibility – Mannesmann Dematic’s design study of a voice controlled hoist, currently in development, is a good example.
In the field of remote control Mannesmann Dematic also showed its new RC-J joystick radio control, primarily aimed at more complex triple axis crane applications. It has pulse width modulated output signals and complements the range of push button controllers.
New products from Spanish remote control manufacturer Ikusi include the TM60/3 and TM60/4 joystick console tranmitters for tower cranes, and the TM60/7 and TM 60/8 paddle type console transmitters to control loader cranes that operate hydraulically using proportional valves.
Ikusi also has a new range limitation system which it claims has advantages not yet offered by any competitors. The LA 60 detects if the remote control transmitter is outside a predetermined working area and if so disconnects the controls. The main contactor however, remains on so that a radio link is maintained and operational control resumes automatically when the operator returns to the working area.
The system uses one or more LA 60 transmitter units that emit an infra-red beam in which a receiver, mounted on the remote control console or pendant, has to be present to operate the system. The accessory can be added to existing Ikusi remote controls and can be used instead of an infra-red key system.
Italian manufacturer Ravioli SpA showed a new radio remote control unit, called the Dual. The IP 65-rated model, which features joysticks and push buttons, can change working frequency directly from the console with the receiver automatically aligning with it.
Ravioli claims that the small receiver unit is protected against knocks and leakages, and is easy to install thanks to a removable terminal board. It is equipped with interface cards, including relay outputs, proportional outputs and outputs for inverters.
The design of a new range of enhanced safety push button remote controls from Jay Électronique allows adaptation for a diversity of applications including tower cranes, factory lifting and handling equipment, industrial vehicles and other factory machinery. Many different configurations are therefore necessary. There is a choice of four, six, eight or 10 button units, the functions of which can include single or double speed, and rotary switches with two or three positions and automatic return. The number of output relays can be specified as either nine, 15 or 21 units.
Ergonomic transmitter design is to allow one-handed operation and mechanical protection prevents inadvertent operation of the function buttons. A trained operator can switch between 64 frequencies in the 433MHz band and the system has infra-red start up validation, electronic key access and a monitoring function.
HBC showed its Micron 3 push button system designed to control small bottom slewing tower cranes. It has 10 two-step push buttons, a key switch, E-stop button and 16 commands. A rubber protective kit to prevent impact damage is also available.
A new roll bar design of the Spectrum series of joystick controllers makes handling more comfortable for the operator, HBC says, and allows even the smallest Spectrum model to be fitted with a display.
