5. Mai 2020

The knuckle boom crane: large working radius and a variety of load attachment

Aktualisiert: vor 3 Tagen

The knuckle boom crane is a special design of the jib crane with an additional joint in the jib. The joint allows to reduce the radius of the boom, for example to avoid obstacles and to work behind the crane column to a limited extent as shown in the following sketch. The gray area of the drawing shows the large working area of the knuckle boom crane:

The working area of the outer boom of the knuckle boom crane.

The position of the joint can be adjusted to specific working areas, allowing optimal and smooth operation. In contrast to the jib crane with trolley, the load pick-up of the knuckle boom crane is always located at the end of the outer arm. This is particularly advantageous when a wire rope hoist or a rope balancer is used. The drive unit of the balancer is then mounted on the outer arm or near the column, and the rope is guided to the end of the outer arm via rollers. This arrangement saves the operator having to move the mass of the rope hoist along with it and accordingly reduces the amount of force required to move the articulated arm. The elimination of the hoist increases the available hook height by the dimension of the hoist, which is particularly advantageous in low spaces and thus allows the use of a lifting aid.

Positional accuracy as well as the ability to join, assemble and handle highly sensitive goods are ensured by the knuckle boom crane ezzLINKeco in conjunction with the balancer ezzFLOWsmart.

With its combination of the ezzFLOWsmart balancer and the ezzLINKeco knuckle boom crane, Best Handling Technology offers a proven compact handling system. The ezzFLOWsmart is electrically operated and ideally suited for handling, assembling or joining sensitive products with positional accuracy. This intuitive handling system adapts perfectly to the needs of the user and his activity.

The balancer ezzFLOWsmart has got a display and can be combined with a knuckle boom crane.

Areas of application for the ezzFLOWsmart are therefore primarily in the field of handling during the joining and assembly of components, such as the assembly of machines, apparatus and vehicles, component and subassembly assembly, the loading of machine tools as well as assembly assistance for engines, gearboxes and couplings and in tool changing. In addition, in many other, mostly precise handling tasks.

Because the balancer holds the workpiece in suspension, the operator can focus his full concentration on his job and precision by guiding the workpiece directly with his two hands.

Fine tuning of the balancer, such as programming of deceleration times, returns and speeds, can be done directly on the display. No need to connect a PC, no waiting times, etc., thus the ezzFLOWsmart offers maximum flexibility.

In addition, there are no jerky movements during the lifting and lowering process, and no shock load. In addition, vibration-free running is guaranteed.

The programming of the electrical control of the ezzFLOWsmart is developed and produced in Germany. This allows maximum flexibility for customer-specific adaptations. A wide range of programming options allow integration into the higher-level control system of the production line and precise adaptation to the handling task.

All variants of the ezzFLOW are equipped with the optimized load handling devices according to the customer's requirements for the respective task. To ensure that the relevant components can be picked up safely, intuitively and quickly, the right load handling attachment (LAM) is of crucial importance. For example, if products with smooth surfaces are to be moved, load handling devices with vacuum suction cups are ideal. One or more suction cups are optimally arranged for lifting the load.

Fig. 4: If the balancer ezzFLOWsmart is attached to a knuckle boom crane, goods with a weight of up to one ton will be lifted so easily.

Electric and pneumatically driven systems are available for vacuum generation. In addition to the available resources at the user's site, energy costs are a selection criterion.

Pneumatic vacuum generators are only activated during the lifting process and only then consume compressed air. The energy costs for electric vacuum pumps are generally lower, but they must be operated continuously. The right choice of vacuum generator therefore depends on the application.

Fig. 5: Flexibility and adaptability with regard to many industrial sectors and areas: a load suspension device like a vacuum suction cup for handling cartons is mounted to the balancer ezzFLOWsmart and the knuckle boom crane ezzFLOWeco.

Fig. 4 shows a vacuum load pickup using an electric vacuum pump positioned in the area of the crane boom. Figure 5 shows a pneumatically operated vacuum suction cup. The vacuum generation is integrated in the suction cup, and only a compressed air connection is required on the customer side.

The recommendation of the optimum handling system should be worked out in consideration of the application by our specialists, who will take into account all the conditions on site when choosing the right handling system.