In a copper refinery process the tankhouse cranes are one key element in improving the plant performance. While the cranes move anode and cathode plates the electrolytic process must be stopped. Every second saved in crane operations means increased production.

ICRAS load sway control was installed 1994 into this 20 ton overhead crane at Outokumpu Harjavalta Metals Ltd copper refinery in Pori, Finland. ICRAS decreases the load positioning time several seconds. Since the crane is positioned 340 times every day a few seconds saving for each cycle means significantly reduced crane operating time and increased production rate. At the same time operator fatigue is decreased. Operators also report improved working conditions. ICRAS system has now operated 4 years with extremely high availability.

Innocrane has developed with Outokumpu Wenmec Ltd several automation tools to improve performance of tankhouse cranes.