THE PRODUCTIVITY GIVE THE CUSTOMER HE REQUIRES

The size of the system is dependent upon the height and outreach of the crane as well as the desired speed chosen by the operating terminal. Essentially, it is determined by the speed the operating terminal believes it can safely maintain its operation at, but most importantly, provide their customers with the productivity they require.

The spreader bar cables must be able to accommodate the discreet power conductors required for their system as well as the control wires or fibre optic conductors utilized to pass data between the spreader bar and the trolley platform. These conductors should be encased in a jacketed cable that will withstand the continual tension that is placed on the spreader bar cable in any operation. The number of conductors in a spreader cable, to include any fibre optic conductors, should be kept to a minimum. The number of conductors used in the spreader bar cable will determine the diameter and weight of the cable. Excessive weight and a larger cable will require the cable reel, the reduction gearbox and the motor size to be larger as well.

Because of the increase in weight, the cable reel system will also have to be designed so that all the torque requirements of the system can be satisfactorily managed without putting undue stress onto the cable reel system. The use of a smaller spreader cable and a smaller cable reel system will eventually reduce the overall cost of the system.

There are a number of different methods to communicate data between the spreader bar and the trolley platform. For example, an operating terminal can either select a two-wired communication system or an RF type of communication system. These methods of passing data between the spreader bar and the trolley platform enable the spreader bar cable to be smaller in size. As mentioned, a smaller cable is more cost efficient both in terms of the cable itself and the overall size of the system.

Obviously the primary concern when selecting the proper cable reel system is to ensure that the required production levels are maintained during an operation. The cost of the system must be reasonable in order to reap a return on an operating terminal’s investment. Hence, it is not just a matter of considering the initial cost of the installation, but the maintenance aspects that will be required over a period of time. Maintainability, accessibility, and the ability to easily change components in the system must be considered with some foresight as to all future maintenance tasks in an effort to keep overall maintenance costs to a minimum.