Manitowoc software

Positioning software for Manitowoc

Sunnyvale, CA, headquartered Trimble has developed wireless technologies and software for linking field and back office operations for clients in construction and government.

The system being developed for cranes on construction sites provides real time positioning data to the centimeter using non-contact sensors, and interconnects position and productivity data.

Crane operators can use the system to view the site, multiple working crane zones, forbidden zones, target locations and other site information on in-cab displays, Manitowoc said.

A local wireless network (WLAN) shares the crane position information with each operator and lift scheduler on the construction site, Manitowoc said.

By enabling an alarm or a halt in crane operation when sensors detect unplanned crane activity, managers can better monitor crane activity.

The system can receive constant updates of data from Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools and other site sensors to its intelligent environment database.

Manitowoc says that back offices can instantly check crane status against the BIM plan using the system’s wireless internet connectivity option.

The system is being designed to run on fat or thin client accessing software tools and capabilities, Manitowoc said.

As part of the Trimble Connected Community option, data will be viewable in 3D.

Manitowoc said, “The Connected Community is a Web-based set of networking tools that allow contractors to build information portals, share information and collaborate between head office management, site office teams, field crews, subcontractors, suppliers, engineers and clients on a project.”

Bob Hund, executive vice president, crane care, Manitowoc Cranes, said, “Manitowoc is committed to providing the most advanced and comprehensive range of lifting solutions.”

“Working together with Trimble allows us to access market leading technology to collaborate to develop innovative tools to increase crane operator awareness on a construction site,” he said.

John Cameron, general manager of Trimble’s integrated technologies division, said, “Trimble is already using much the same technology to deliver significant productivity improvements to the construction machine control market.”

Cameron continued, “By partnering with Manitowoc Cranes, a lifting industry leader, we expect to co-develop solutions capable of lifting and delivering materials on the construction site similar to a contract manufacturer who uses a pick-and-place machine to build an electronic circuit board. Our goal is add crane productivity as another key component of the connected site.”

*Article from Cranes Today Magazine

Bode Technical Services specializes in crane repair on Terex Cranes, Demag Cranes, Link-Belt cranes, Grove Cranes, Liebherr Cranes, and Krupp cranes. Beyond crane repair, Bode Technical Services also utilizes a global network of crane parts suppliers including PAT-Hirschmann, Load Systems International,Terex-Demag, Grove, Liebherr Cranes, and Greer, Demag Cranes