Intelligent CXT wire rope hoists increase productivity, safety and service life of cranes

Konecranes frequency converters ASR and ESR: hoisting speeds that adjust automatically according to the current load of the wire rope hoist

When crane drivers have only one or two speeds for lifting and lowering available, the current peaks and numerous changeovers can lead to wear and tear and high energy consumption. Such a situation requires stepless and adjustable hoisting speeds. They provide better operating comfort, increase productivity and the crane’s service life even as they reduce energy consumption. There is, however, one problem: conventional frequency converters require an elaborate equipping of the crane leading to high investment costs. To overcome it, Konecranes has developed two converters with ASR (Adaptive Speed Range/Adaptive hoisting speed) and ESR (Extended Speed Range/Extended hoisting speed) that enable advanced solutions for stepless adjustment of the hoisting speed.

Stepless and adjustable controls for all movements -- lifting and lowering as well as trolley and crane travelling -- are very often used in heavy process cranes. Light industrial cranes, on the other hand, are often not so well equipped. Konecranes has pioneered this technology: All Konecranes industrial cranes are equipped with stepless trolley and crane movements, enabling superior operating comfort and ease of use.

Quality and product features

Since lighter industrial cranes still mostly have the conventional control with only two-speed hoisting in the ratio of 4:1 or 6:1, the engineers at Konecranes -- world specialists in crane and lifting technology -- have now gone one step ahead. They have developed two new converters for hoisting with ASR (Adaptive Speed Range/Adaptive hoisting speed) and ESR (Extended Speed Range/Extended hoisting speed):

• The convenient ASR technology provides stepless control of the hoisting speed in the ratio of 10:1. Owing to the optimized model sizes of the components, the ASR technology does not require any elaborate electrical equipping of the crane. The speed with full load automatically touches a third of the maximum speed with empty hooks. The hoisting speed with empty hook, on the other hand, is 50% faster than with two-speed hoisting.

• The ESR technology offers extremely fast hoisting speeds using more powerful engines and providing an extended speed range of up to 37:1. When operating with the maximum load, the hoisting speed with ESR is automatically two thirds of the maximum hoisting speed. However, hoisting speed with empty hook is 50% faster than with traditional frequency converter.

Both the models have varied uses because of their intelligent operation: for instance, the hoisting speed with empty hooks can be up to 50 percent quicker than the corresponding two-speed hoist engines. This saves time and increases productivity. The smooth speed acceleration provided by the converter minimizes strains on crane bridge, crane runway and building, while preventing current peaks at the same time. This ensures a longer lifetime, lower energy consumption and lesser maintenance costs throughout the service life. The crane driver can freely concentrate on safe operating, because the hoisting speed is monitored by the frequency converter according to the load. When summarizing both technologies, the conclusion is that the smaller the load is, the faster the hoisting speed is.

Applications

ASR technology: The adaptive hoisting speed is mainly for cranes and hoisting units that usually lift small or medium loads and occasionally maximum loads. The experience shows that most hoist units are usually loaded with light weights. Owing to quicker speeds in empty hooks and partial load, ASR hoist converters offer higher productivity, safety and service life for these applications (see Info graphic 1/ASR). Owing to the converter technology in the hoist unit, the CXT wire rope hoists with ASR technology are also suitable for a quick and easy modernization of existing crane systems.

ESR technology: The extended hoisting speed comes useful mainly when medium or maximum loads are moved regularly. An investment in ESR is recommended if the hoist unit is to be used for quick hoist speeds even in full load or if very high speed range is desired (see Info graphic 2/ESR).

Image captions and info graphics/sources: Konecranes

Konecranes_CXT ASR/ESR Image 1:

Compact and easy to integrate: The ASR technology offers a compact solution for stepless adjustment of hoisting movements since the frequency converter is integrated to hoist electrical cubicle without extensive electric installation in the CXT wire rope hoist. © Konecranes

Info graphic 1/ASR:

Load range and area of application in which the ASR frequency converter is recommended. © Konecranes

Info graphic 2/ESR:

Load range and area of application in which the ESR frequency converter is recommended. © Konecranes

Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment and machine tools of all makes. In 2011, Group sales totaled EUR 1,896 million. The Group has 11,900 employees, at 609 locations in 47 countries. Konecranes is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (symbol: KCR1V).

www.konecranes.com

Further information for the Middle East:
Konecranes Middle East
Ratan Biswas
Sales Manager – Industrial Cranes
ratan.biswas@konecranes.com
Phone +971 4 815 6816 | Mobile: +971 50 423 6452

Lena Ansorge
IMEA Marketing & Communication
Lena.ansorge@konecranes.com
Phone +49 6103 7333-235 | Mobile +49 162 2824233

For more information for South Africa and Southern Africa:

Konecranes PTY LTD South Africa
5 Jurie Street, Alrode, Alberton
P.O: Box 11713, Randhart 1457
John Macdonald, Sales and Marketing Director
E-mail: John.macdonald@konecranes.com or phone +27 11 864 2800

Lindy Nauta
E-mail: lindy@houtbaypr.co.za
Tel. +27 21 790 1198
Mobile +27 83 269 9545

Press release images

Compact and easy to integrate: The ASR technology offers a compact solution for stepless adjustment of hoisting movements since the frequency converter is integrated to hoist electrical cubicle without extensive electric installation in the CXT wire rope.