-Can your system be used efficiently since it is working without load sway angle measurement, and does initial sway and wind effects cause problems?
-Are the cranes with ICRAS slower to operate, because it avoids the load sway by smothering the crane accelerations and decelerations?
-Can ICRAS control sway in a crane with 2 or more hooks?
-Why the operators do not use anti-sway control systems?
-Isn’t it difficult to make small, accurate movements with anti-sway system?

Can your system be used efficiently since it is working without load sway angle measurement, and does initial sway and wind effects cause problems?
We have years of experience of anti sway system development using also swing angle measurement. Swing angle feedback has certain advantages, but it also has a number of disadvantages. All feedback control systems can operate only as long as the model of system remains relatively unchanged. Unfortunately in practise many cranes handle varying types of load. Changing the load requires also tuning of the control system for a new model.

Feedback control can become unstable. We have experiences 10 tons overhead crane with unstable feedback control.This is not something you would have in your or your client’s factory.

In normal industrial environment, ICRAS control without sway angle measurement operates well. Initial sway is mostly caused by off central lifting, which is result of the fact that the crane and lifting attachment are difficult to position exactly above the load. With ICRAS off central lifting easily avoided. Another reason for a good operation in practice is, that initial sway is damped during the transportation by friction in the rope system. Since ICRAS control does not add sway to the system result is that the load sway is damped during the transportation.

Are the cranes with ICRAS slower to operate, because it avoids the load sway by smothering the crane accelerations and decelerations?
With ICRAS control can be accelerated using all available motor torque. In practise this means shorter acceleration times and faster works cycle. Our customers have measured up to 50% faster crane operations with factory cranes and 18% faster coil handling times with cabin controlled process cranes. Computer simply can make it every time optimal way.

Can ICRAS control sway in a crane with 2 or more hooks?
We have about 50% of our ICRAS systems installed in cranes with 2,3 or even 4 hooks. Please see our references. There no problems as long as the hooks are approximately on the same level.

Why the operators do not use anti-sway control systems?
We have a number of happy ICRAS users in cabin controlled cranes, but also we have noticed the problem. In some cases where other anti.sway systems have failed we have found it difficult to motivate the operators to start using ICRAS. The key to our success can be found from both our technical solutions and motivation to make good products. Also our over 14 years of experience on commercial applications is a strong plus. Contact us, and we make a solution for your peoples or customers needs. Yes, we also have training courses and operator´s manuals available.

One of the main reason why operators like to use ICRAS is that it´s response to the operators´s control signal is always similar. This makes it easy for the operator to predict how ICRAS works. If the anti-sway system does not respond logically the operator will feel unsure and the work efficiency is decreasing rapidly.

Especially in cabin controlled cranes the shape of crane speed pattern affect to the operator’s working conditions. ICRAS generates clear, predictable speed patterns without oscillating accelerations. None of the ICRAS crane operators have ever complained car sickness or similar problems. Instead the operators who have used ICRAS for years report decreased stress in work and reduced work related illnesses like pain in back, shoulders and hands. This is because in ICRAS control crane makes smoother movements and umber of operator controls required is reduced.

Isn’t it difficult to make small, accurate movements with anti-sway system?
Some cranes are difficult to position with or without ICRAS. If your crane accelerates and decelerates slow because the drive system is simply too small to your crane it is difficult to use. Or if the motors, brakes and gearboxes are a bad condition, crane does not follow controls accurately. With ICRAS cranes can be build to react fast and accurately. With ICRAS, you can move the load easily only 2 centimetres (less than one inch) on time. Many of our installations are in places where the load must be positioned with a accuracy of few millimetres only. See our references to find applications close to yours or send us an e-mail. We would be pleased to give you more detailed information.