Safety first

Sensors work overtime to improve safety

The latest inroads into sensor and laser technology have paid dividends when it comes to collision prevention for rubber-tyred gantry cranes. Sensitive, precise, reliable: these new systems are highly effective.

Take Banner’s R-Gage Q120RA-AF2 sensor. It can detect the presence of any obstacles and prevent resulting collisions. The advanced technology features a narrow beam pattern, high sensitivity and long range which come together to alert the operator of anything in the way. The sensor gives off a beam of high frequency radio waves from an internal antenna, with some of that energy reflected back to the receiving antenna. Based on that signal, it’s possible to judge the distance between the sensor and the object, thus alerting the operator of any obstacles.

SICK, meanwhile, have introduced laser measurement systems (LMS III) to alert operators of any obstacles and prevent collisions. This technology is in use at the MSC Terminal in the Port of Valencia.

The system is placed on the lower side of each crane leg. The scanning fields are adjusted to the speed of the crane, which means that the scan field is small at low speed, and grows as the vehicle’s speed increases.

If an obstacle is present, the operator receives a message. The operator or system can then either slow down or stop the gantry before the collision occurs.

These devices not only mean fewer collisions and safe operation, but also lower repair costs, increased systems availability and greater efficiency.