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CRANIUM: Device for Improving Crane
Productivity and Safety
The Need
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Cranes are the most important pieces of
equipment on many construction sites. While technological advances have been made in crane
hardware, the communication system used to coordinate the crane operator’s actions
with other craftsmen has not changed in decades. Crane operators frequently cannot see the
loads they are moving, so they rely on hand signals relayed among craftsmen.
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CRANIUM Camera Housing with Damped Gimbaled Mount and Angle Adjustment Mechanism
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The Technology
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CRANIUM is a video system designed to improve
productivity and safety of crane operations by improving communications. A video camera
mounted on the crane bottom transmits an image to the television monitor in the crane cab.
The operator has a real-time picture of the loads and craftsmen that might otherwise be
out of the direct line of sight.
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The Benefits
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CRANIUM Camera Unit Mounted on Crane Bottom |
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Reduction of delay in communications leads to
productivity improvements. Reduction of errors in communication leads to safe
improvements. Experimental results show that for moderate and high precision lifts,
productivity can be increased 16-21%. Crane safety is also improved. Both signal delays
and signal errors can be reduced by using CRANIUM. The cost of the prototype CRANIUM,
including all the components, is approximately $3,200. This figure is based on the retail
prices for individual components, but does not account for labor to fabricate and assemble
the components. Mass producing the CRANIUM would certainly lower the unit cost.
In addition to direct labor and equipment savings, the
CRANIUM may produce large indirect economic benefits. Crane operations are frequently
found on the critical path of construction projects. By reducing the duration of critical
path activities, the overall duration of the project is shortened. Improved safety also
provides major economic, humanitarian, and social benefits to the contractor and the
owner. |
Status
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A full-scale fully-operational prototype
CRANIUM has been designed, fabricated, and extensively tested in the field. |
Barriers
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Up to the moment the primary consideration was
to establish the technical feasibility and operational practicality of the CRANIUM.
However, before the CRANIUM can be commercialized, it would require additional
development. |
Points of Contact
- Everett, John G.,Asst. Prof. of Civil and Envir. Engrg.,
Univ. of Michigan, 2352 G. G. Brown, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125, Email everett@engin.umich.edu
- Slocum, Alexander H, Flower Carrer Development Assoc. Prof.
of Mech. Engrg., Room 35-008, Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA 02139. Phone:
(617) 253-0012, Email slocum@mit.edu, Research
References
Everett, John G. and Slocum, Alexander H., Cranium:
Device for Improving Crane Productivity and Safety, Journal of Construction
Engineering and Management, Vol.119, No. 1, March 1993.
Disclaimer Statement
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Neither the Construction
Industry Institute nor Purdue University in any way endorses this
technology or represents
that the information presented can be relied upon without further investigation. |
IRA14/CHC
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