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Nov. 7, 2023 - Just a year ago, Wolffkran was first in the crane industry to introduce the High-Speed Positioning System (HiSPS).
Unveiled and demonstrated at the Bauma trade fair last October, the HiSPS lets an operator move loads on the crane hook virtually sway free and with millimeter precision.
Now the patent-pending technology can be ordered together with Wolffkran's latest addition, Wolff 6523 Clear.
Starting at the beginning of 2024, newly manufactured Wolff models will be equipped with the option of activating the HiSPS.
Also starting then, the HiSPS will also be able to be retrofitted to existing Wolff cranes.
The HiSPS assistance system uses two battery-powered sensors on the trolley and hook block.
Connected to a control unit in the crane’s switch cabinet, the HiSPS detects the rope’s movements and automatically adjusts the motion and speed of the slewing gear and trolley to it.
“Ultimately, the crane operator controls more than the crane – they control the load with assistance from the system,” explained Viktor Mosolf, head of Wolffkran’s Digitalization Department.
More Safety
Activating the HiSPS stops a swinging load in just seconds, and can also eliminate the effect of heavy wind.
Since the trolley always assumes its position automatically via the hook block when HiSPS is activated, it prevents the load from being pulled diagonally.
That’s because the trolley automatically positions itself precisely over the load when the hook is pulled manually or when the load is pushed by hand on the ground.
“HiSPS significantly reduces the risk of accidents and damage due to swinging loads or hooks,” summarized Mosolf. “Furthermore, the anti-collision system is optimized since not only the crane but also the load in the working range limitation is automatically stopped.”
Working Efficiently in the Digital Age
In addition to improving safety, the HiSPS also boosts operating efficiency because the crane can be operated far more easily and intuitively from the ground than before via remote control.
Previously, the crane operator had to move the load slowly to prevent a strong pendulum motion. With the system connected, they can move the crane significantly faster.
Moreover, the HiSPS allows to store hook positions and then automatically move to them.
As a result, the load can be positioned precisely even when the operator has a limited view.
Besides construction cranes, the ability to automatically travel to saved positions also makes HiSPS attractive for ground-controlled Wolff cranes without crane cabins at storage areas, in mines, and in industry.
“However, HiSPS is more than just a digital assistance system and the building block for the autonomous driving crane,” says Dr. Mohamed Abouelezz, head of product management and business development at Wolffkran. “The crane movement and position data that the HiSPS generates can be integrated into the modern digital construction site organization using building information modeling (BIM). With HiSPS, our cranes are ready for the progressive digitalization of the building industry.”
Soon Available for Entire Pack
After extensive testing, the HiSPS was introduced market-ready for the first time in Heilbronn at the end of September.
In the coming months, all current production trolley-jib cranes will be delivered with a pre-installed system as standard so that HiSPS can be used as an option anytime.
Also, it can be retrofitted to existing cranes.
Wolffkran also expects to eventually make the HiSPS available for Wolff luffing-jib tower cranes.
