Overhead Crane Safety Systems Variable Frequency Drives and Anti-Sway Technologies

Overhead Crane Safety Systems: Variable Frequency Drives and Anti-Sway Technologies

With the introduction of variable frequency drives, microprocessors now control all the components of the drive system, and provide smoother acceleration and deceleration curves. This allows for smooth starts, smooth transitions, and smooth stopping which greatly reduces the strain on the gear boxes, couplers, girders, and other essential crane components. This also greatly prolongs the life of the brake system as the microprocessor controls and slows down the motor, while the brakes mostly act as a control to keep the crane from moving.

Also, by eliminating the abrupt starting and stopping of the crane, you get far less load swing because the crane moves in a controlled manner—making it safer for everyone on the floor.

On the Columbus McKinnon Blog, they highlight some of the inherent safety features built into most VFD systems:

• Safe Torque Off – A redundant hardware safety circuit that guarantees motor and brake power are removed when an E-STOP switch or safety controller opens the drive input, eliminating the need for external disconnects.
• Torque Proving – On some older systems, the motor is pre-torqued to guarantee that the load can be held before opening the brake.
• Load Check – Continuously checks for hoist overloads and prevents the hoist from lifting when an overload condition is detected.
• Brake Checks – Monitors the opening and closing of a brake to ensure that it is safe and healthy.
• Micro-Speed – Allows the operator to make slow, precise movements.
• Electronic Programmable Limit Switches– Allows slow down and stop limits without physically geared limit switches.

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