The SMIE AC30 system, designed to prevent crane operators moving hooks and trolleys out of pre-programmed zones, has been installed on a Wolff 7031 tower crane working at the BP Sunbury site in London, England.
The micro-processor controlled AC30 system, supplied and installed by SMIE’s UK agent Cranesafe, is designed to bring the crane to a controlled stop if it approaches buildings that it has been programmed to avoid.
It can also, says Cranesafe, be used to control several cranes to ensure that they do not collide with each other.
Warren Watts, site agent for main contractor Schal, explained why the program was necessary: “BP [the client] wanted an absolute assurance that the crane would not lift anything above particular buildings, and the AC30 system was able to meet that requirement.” The AC30 uses sensors mounted on the crane that constantly tracks its motion, and gives the operator a continuous supply of information about hook and trolley position, to protect against human error.
