INTERNATIONAL ANDSPECIALIZED TRANSPORT
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APRIL 2015
41
REMOTE CONTROLS
controlsÅkerströms, for example, is fitted
witha tilt switchandactive stop,which
means that theunits stop immediately
if theyaredropped. The Jupiterwaist
transmitter series ispart of theRemotus
family. The Jupiter rangewill be available in
three standardmodels: a transmitterwith
eight buttons (Remotus JupiterEra8B), one
with sixbuttons (Remotus JupiterEra6B),
andonewith fourbuttons (Remotus Jupiter
Era4B). The eight-button transmitterwill
alsobe available in theMercury range,
where symbols and functions are tailored
to customer requirements. Inaddition,
thebuttons aredesigned tobeusedwith
gloves. Theunits are fittedwithagraphical
light emittingdiode (LED)displayand
have anoperatingbattery lifeof about
40hours. Poweroutput is adjustable and
the transmitters communicateon radio
frequencies 433-434MHz, 863-870MHz,
and902-928MHz. Theyare
IP67
ratedand
are suitable for indoor and
outdooruse.
AndreasHedström,Åkerströms sales
manager, says, “Wenowoffer threewaist
transmittermodels inour standard family
JupiterEra: JupiterEra90, JupiterEra100,
and JupiterEra150. JupiterEra100and
150havegraphical displays as standardand
JupiterEra90 comeswithout adisplay. The
waist transmitter is alsoavailable in the
customisable rangeunder themodel name
MercuryEra100.”
From radio control systems
manufacturerTeleRadio is thenew
PLd rated robust transmitter. Part of the
Panther industrial remote control system,
W
hen it comes toworking inoil
andgas andotherhazardous
sectors, operatingmachinery
by remote control canbe akey element
inkeepingoperators safe and increasing
site efficiency.ManufacturerCavotec, for
example, hasbeenworkingwith suppliers
and endusers inhazardous industries for
several years andhas found that safety is a
main factor for endusers.
Michael Scheepers,Cavotecmediaand
investor contact, explains, “Our customers
in theminingand tunnelling, andoil and
gas sectorshaveperhapsbeenmost ready
to introduce remote control technologies
for liftingandother tasks. Thekeydrivers
of this trendare steps takenby customers
to improve safety foroperators, improve
operational efficiencyby reducing
downtime andmaintenance costs, and to
minimise environmental impact.
“[Remote control] systems enable the
control ofmachineryandvehicles froma
safedistance, sometimesmanykilometres,
thereby reducing the riskof physical injury
or lossof life,minimising equipment
damage and improvingoperational
efficiencyand ergonomics.
“Removingpersonnel fromhazardous
or arduous environments also improves
working conditions.”
Tohelpmeet these customerdemands,
Cavotec isdevelopingahumanoperator
interface (HOI),which combinesboth
remote control technologyand the ability
to ‘see’ systemdata formobile and
static liftingapplications.
“OurHOI systems
giveoperators the
ability toaccurately
seeoperations in real time and receive
informationabout system status, as
well as controlmachinery remotely,”
Scheepers says.
Improving site safetyandoperational
efficiencyhas alsobeenadriving factor
in thedevelopment of remote controls
for tower cranes.Manufacturerof remote
controlsHetronic, for example, has
introduced several systems for self erecting
tower cranes and top slewing tower cranes.
The remoteunits aredesigned tohelp
operators attach,move andplace the load
with thehighest accuracy, themanufacturer
says. Theunits showdataonagraphic
display, allowing theoperator tomonitor
the statusof the crane in real timewhile
using the remote. Tower cranes are typically
operatedwith theGL,GL-3,GR, Ergo-
MFSHL,Nova-L,Nova-XLandNova-M
transmitters.Hetronic alsooffers remote
controls forhydraulic cranes. The controls
are compact, lightweight andoperator
friendly, themanufacturer adds.Models
used forhydraulic cranes includeGL,GL-3,
HandHeldMFSHL,Nova-L,Nova-XLand
Nova-M transmitters.
Healthand safety laws are also
driving change in thedesignof
remote controls. Tomeet
stringent regulations,
includingE
N ISO
13849-1
, remote
controls are fitted
with emergency
stop functions. The
waist transmitter from
manufacturerof remote
>
Stayingconnected
Frequency, datadisplay
and ergonomics are just
some of the latest focus
points shaping thedesign
and function of remote
controls. LAURAHATTON
finds outmore
TheThorB4 transmitter
offeredby remote control
systemmanufacturer
IMET from Italy
The3.0 versionof the
I-Kontrol range
from Ikusi
