Precise load control, optimised productivity, and safe, easy operation are all critical assets for crane operators and owners involved in materials handling, maintenance and fabrication tasks. The Konecranes DynaPilot sway control system is engineered to deliver all of these, allowing users to optimise the use of their crane’s speed and acceleration while still being able to position the load accurately.

The Konecranes DynaPilot system, integrated into the crane’s travelling inverter, is available as an option for the whole range of lifting solutions from Konecranes, which is the world’s largest producer of overhead cranes and lifting equipment. By modelling the load swing, the integrated electronic system is designed to prevent the load from swaying because of crane movements. “DynaPilot is a cost-effective and reliable way to provide extremely accurate control over loads of all sizes and all kinds of environments,” says Konecranes national sales and marketing manager Warren Ashton.

Available for process and industrial cranes, with trolley or bridge movements, DynaPilot is integrated into the crane’s inverter drive and so requires no additional mechanical components. The product is designed to eliminate swing, to allow the operator to control and position loads with great precision and predictability. This precise control is very important in environments involving heavy and valuable loads, such as steel service centres, glass handling facilities, paper mills, the automotive industry, and the resources and energy sector.

Being able to operate at faster speeds and position loads more quickly helps to improve productivity. More load cycles can be achieved in the same timeframe and at a consistent flow, so DynaPilot helps to remove potential bottlenecks caused by slower load handling. The system allows faster crane speeds in the limit switch area, towards the end of the crane runway, and the end of the bridge girder, where the crane or trolley would normally have to operate at slower speeds. "This speeds up loading and unloading, while maintaining safe load handling, which saves both time and money," explains Ashton.

Because load movement is predictable, the environment around the crane is safer. “Traditionally operators have to switch their attention between crane movements and the actual load in order to anticipate potential sway – and therefore often run the crane at lower speeds to compensate for this. DynaPilot allows operators to concentrate both on the load and the environment around it. “The load can safely be moved a higher speeds, there is less stress on the operator, and the crane owner can optimise their use of available crane features,” notes Ashton.

Because motor torque usage is optimised, there is reduced wear and tear on the crane’s mechanical components. This translates into less maintenance and reduced unforeseen downtime. “Crane operators value highly predicable, accurate load handling and user-friendly operation. DynaPilot facilitates the combination of increased safety, improved productivity and precise control,” adds Ashton.