| Collision Avoidance for Overhead Crane |
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Material Handling - Overhead Cranes
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| At an iron fabrication plant, two overhead cranes
operate on one runway. At times, the manufacturing
process requires the cranes to operate in
overlapping areas of the bay. If an operator becomes
distracted or is concentrating on the load being
transported, a collision with the opposing crane is
possible. |
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Automation Products Group, Inc. provides a complete system utilizing noncontacting
ultrasonic sensors for the purpose of
material handling system collision avoidance.
The main advantage of using ultrasonic sensors
is price. Other alternative technologies, such as
laser sensors, can be used but at twice the
price. |
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The addition of ultrasonic sensors to the cranes
provides the operator with an audible warning when
the crane comes within forty feet of the opposing
crane. The warning alerts the operator that the
cranes are in close proximity. If the operator
continues movement toward the opposing crane, the
braking system will activate at ten feet.
The DCU-1100 sensor is equipped with
specialized filtering to eliminate false tripping due to ambient factory noise. The trip points may also be
configured in a fail-safe mode to alert operators of
sensor failure.
Proper mounting of the sensor ensures reliable
performance and reduces the potential for false
echoes. In this application, a mounting clamp (ACC-
1003) is used to mount the DCU-1100 sensors. To
prevent false echoes caused by cross talk, the
sensors are mounted on opposite sides of the crane.
They are pointed at a portion of the opposing crane
that provides a large, flat and smooth surface from
which to reflect the ultrasonic pulse.
Although nothing can replace a cautious operator,
the addition of ultrasonic sensors to the cranes has
provided a margin of safety previously not available. |
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| Self-Contained Ultrasonic Sensors |
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Maximum range from 2 to 50 ft. (0.6 to 15 m) |
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Works on solids or liquids |
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Analog, digital and trip point outputs |
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AutoSense software available on most sensors |
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Internal temperature compensation available |
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Many models are serial interface programmable
with free software for Windows, DOS or Palm
Operating System
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