materialfluss Round Table: Cranes - Safe and energy-efficient into the future

Andreas Hambrock, Senior Director Central Back Office & Distributor Management EMEAR at Demag, Thomas Kraus, Support Center Director at Stahl CraneSystems, Jochen Gallas, crane expert at Konecranes, and Klaus-Dieter Schwabenthan, Head of Business Development and Delivery Process Vacuum Handling Systems at J. Schmalz GmbH, took part in a joint discussion.

Konecranes takes over Demag, StahlCrane Systems has a new owner in Columbus McKinnon Corporation: things are happening in the crane industry. "How are customers reacting to the back and forth?" asked materialfluss editor-in-chief Martin Schrüfer, who moderated the round table.

Mergers in the crane industry: the customer differentiates

"With this company size, it is easier for us to remain independent in the market and not become a pawn in the hands of investors." Jochen Gallas, Konecranes

"The majority of customers are reacting surprisingly calmly," states Jochen Gallas from Konecranes. They look at the companies very closely, also in terms of their portfolio. This enables them to differentiate clearly. So far, there has not been a one hundred percent overlap in the product range of Konecranes and Demag. "We have different customers from different industries and focus on delivering according to demand. We have to stick to this differentiation," says the crane specialist. In his opinion, it will be important to benefit from the advantages of cooperation in the future. The new size of the company alone brings this with it. "It is easier to remain independent on the market and not become a pawn in the hands of investors." Gallas also sees opportunities in the more intensive research and development work. "This is very important for us, but unfortunately also cost-intensive. By joining forces, we can pool our knowledge and increase our commitment." Andreas Hambrock from Demag argued along similar lines. Although there are overlaps in the product portfolio, the customer is certainly able to distinguish between the brands. The components business, which both companies successfully serve, also plays an important role. In discussions with customers, he makes it clear: "We will remain on the market with Demag products."

From Stahl Crane Systems' point of view, the market has certainly noticed that there is a new owner. However, this has not caused any great unrest. "We are a high-performance component supplier and are involved in end customer sales," emphasized Thomas Kraus. This business model will remain in place, and the customer accepts this. Kraus also sees no weakening of the market position. "The Stahl name will remain a strong brand."

Trend topic number one: safety

"What trends are driving crane manufacturers?" This question from editor-in-chief Martin Schrüfer led to lively discussions in the expert panel. It quickly became clear that the number one trend topic is safety in relation to cranes and hoists. "You can't argue with that. We manufacture lightweight cranes that move loads of 1,000 kilograms and more. And there are always people nearby. That's why the handling process must be risk-free," summarizes Klaus-Dieter Schwabenthan from Schmalz. Energy efficiency is also becoming increasingly important. According to his observations, the market has become much more aware of the need to conserve resources. "With our lightweight cranes, we largely dispense with drives and thus save the user electricity."

"We must not overwhelm users with complexity." Klaus-Dieter Schwabenthan, Schmalz

To operate successfully in the industry today, crane manufacturers need to take a holistic approach. "It's not enough to simply put a crane in the hall. Customers demand systems that specifically optimize material flows," says Schwabenthan. In this context, investment protection also plays an important role. Companies provide their employees with operating resources with a high return on investment. In order to meet this requirement, close contact with users and precise project design are essential.

Schwabenthan identifies Industry 4.0 as another trending topic. However, a balancing act needs to be mastered here. On the one hand, users must not be overwhelmed by complexity. On the other hand, smart devices ultimately offer tangible benefits. "Condition monitoring, for example, shows the operating status directly, and predictive maintenance enables rapid intervention before expensive damage occurs."

"Loads must always be handled safely"

"Reliability and safety will continue to have top priority in the future," said Andreas Hambrock. "In a production hall, goods weighing several tons are transported by air and people work in close proximity.

The loads must be handled safely." Demag pays great attention to control technology. With Demag SafeControl, the company has developed a system that is widely used on the market. "This means we fully comply with the requirements of the Machinery Directive. For example, we have developed a reversing control system that also moves 20-ton coils safely." For Andreas Hambrock, one thing is certain: the trend towards automation only applies to cranes to a limited extent. "There may be a trend towards fully automated solutions in warehouse technology. However, this does not apply to production. I am sure that the operator will remain at the crane in the future. But they will be noticeably relieved by ergonomic assistance systems." Demag has developed a new joystick control system. The employee can operate it with one hand - without taking their eyes off the load. The joysticks are operated with the thumb - similar to a games console. Hambrock believes that the proportion of sensor technology will continue to increase. The systems record data, evaluate it and provide information on performance and wear - allowing maintenance tasks to be planned in advance. Maintenance tasks can be planned in advance. "Such information can also be used to optimize travel paths in the future, for example. It's all about using the recorded data sensibly."

"Assistance systems such as bypass control must be safe and also handle a 20-ton coil without any problems." Andreas Hambrock, Demag

"The topics of safety and reliability are extremely important," emphasized Thomas Kraus from Stahl CraneSystems. He believes that integrated control systems are increasingly being used in hoists to ensure greater safety and reliable processes. Just like Andreas Hambrock, Thomas Kraus sees assistance systems as an important support for the worker. He cites the load pendulum function as an example. The operator activates this and the load no longer sways as much because it is electronically readjusted in the upper crane area. Thomas Kraus sees clear differences in the safety standards in the various regions. While Europe is leading the way here, Asia, for example, is lagging behind. Kraus sees a strong trend in the ergonomic design of cranes and hoists. "This must be adapted to the application. This has always been implemented in our special construction and engineering departments." The collection and evaluation of data on the operating status of systems is another important topic for Kraus. "Such information gives the operator insight into the wear and tear of components, for example. They can react quickly to avoid system downtimes." Such solutions make the systems more complex. "Of course, this requires qualified maintenance personnel."

Simple solution or complex systems?

Jochen Gallas from Konecranes is confronted with very different customer requirements. "Some want components to be replaced quickly if necessary and prefer simple solutions, while others are more interested in technical progress and more complex systems." As a result, companies are increasingly having to design their systems precisely to customer specifications. This requires experienced sales staff and flexible development departments. Safety is also high on the agenda for Gallas. "It is our job to always keep the systems up to date with the latest technology and to comply precisely with the operating regulations." Gallas is also convinced that assistance systems can contribute to greater safety. If there are overloads or operating errors, they switch off before damage occurs. For Jochen Gallas, the human-machine interface is also a topic for the future. "We need to simplify the operation of our systems and make them faster and more logical. This increases the efficiency of cranes and hoists."