Baldor Helps To Make Crane Training More Realistic

A three-axis motion platform based on Baldor Electric's Ethernet-compatible drives is increasing the realism of crane training by moving a replica operator cabin in synchronism with computer images. The specialist machine manufacturer Electropneumatics and Hydraulics developed the motion platform for the leading training solutions and services supplier Applied Research International (ARI). Based in New Delhi, India ARI produces a comprehensive range of simulators for marine and allied applications.

Its products include a variety of offshore, quay side and gantry crane-simulators to provide safe, cost-effective operational training for container movement and bulk-handling operations. ARI's simulators emulate the visual, behavioural and operational characteristics of their real-world counterparts to create a fully immersive environment in which the trainee can gain true hands-on experience. A typical crane simulator comprises a modular PC-based control system, a replica operator cabin and seat, a high-fidelity audio-visual system and an instructor station equipped with CCTV for monitoring the actions of the trainee.

When ARI decided to add an optional motion platform to its line of crane simulators, it approached Electropneumatics and Hydraulics for assistance. Electropneumatics and Hydraulics makes metalforming equipment, such as hydraulic presses and tube-bending machines, and also designs and builds special-purpose machinery including different levels of automation with total indigenous content and capability. Electropneumatics and Hydraulics based the motion platform for the crane simulator on Baldor's Powerlink- and Ethernet-compatible drives and servomotors.

'Baldor's Microflex e100 AC servo drives are very cost-effective for this type of application because they can be controlled via TCP/IP direct from the simulator's host PC, without the need for additional hardware,' according to the company's technical director, Ashley Rasquinha. The three-axis motion platform provides X, Y and Z movement of the replica operator cabin, synchronised to the computer-generated images being presented to the trainee. Since it is designed to accurately emulate the movement of a real-life gantry crane, the platform's drive axes are only required to handle relatively simple motion-control tasks such as point-to-point moves and homing sequences and do not require interpolation.

As a consequence, the Microflex e100 servo drives can be used in their basic Ethernet mode, without any additional complexity of real-time control. Each axis is driven by a Baldor BSM three-phase servomotor equipped with an incremental encoder for position and velocity feedback, controlled by a dedicated Microflex e100 servo drive. All three drives are housed in a separate floor-standing control cabinet and are connected via a D-Link 10/100Mbps Ethernet switch to the simulator's host PC. Ashley Rasquinha also said that Baldor's ActiveX development tools for its Mint motion-control language helped to minimise programming effort.

'The tools hide the complexity of Ethernet messages and provide a simple interface to all the Mint programming commands and functions; in conjunction with the excellent libraries of routines that Baldor provides, these made it very easy for us to create and validate all the motion-control sequences,' he added.

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Altec Develops Crane For Prinoth Vehicle

Altec Industries has partnered with Prinoth to install cranes on its Go-Tract range of vehicles, including the Altec AC38-127S on the GT4500 tracked vehicle. Altec can install 18 to 38ton telescopic cranes, high reach isolated man lift booms up to 46m, pressure washers and digger derricks on Prinoth track vehicles. These features will allow for work in places previously not accessible by trucks, offering a significant cost reduction on operation and gain on time.

Typical uses include construction of remote transmission lines and oil field applications in both boggy and permafrost conditions. Prinoth launched the versatile payload tracked vehicle which easily adapts to the user's needs. From 20tons of payload on the big Go-Tract 4500, to 4.5tons of payload on the Muskeg, it can meet the demands of any work environment, where power, toughness, traction and safety are essential.

The Altec AC26-103 crane on GT3000 offers a front and rear climbing capability of 60 per cent and 40 per cent on side hilling. The technology on the undercarriage gives the user a ground pressure lighter than a human footprint at maximum load and has a result of outstanding traction on sand, rocks, mud and snow. The larger Altec AC38-127S mounted on GT4500 is ideal for transmission line construction projects. With a 58.5m sheave height the crane can handle pylon construction and line placement, plus with the optional two man platform allows it to double as an aerial platform.

Post construction, the insulated jib and platform options on the AC38-127S provide live line working capability to 58m for maintenance crews, which can replace the more costly means of access by helicopter commonly seen in the UK. These savings are further compounded, both during construction and maintenance periods, as the low ground pressure vehicle does not require temporary roadways and reduces ground reinstatement works after access.

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