Crane technology with fieldbus radio links

Modern cranes have long since evolved from traditional lifting equipment into highly automated transport systems. Today, they are a central component of internal material flows and are used across a wide range of industries, from the metal and construction sectors through to mechanical engineering, port facilities and waste management.

This development has been made possible primarily by advances in drive, control and communication technology. Radio technology, in particular, plays a crucial role here, as it creates flexible and reliable connections between moving parts of the system.

The demands placed on these systems are high: maximum availability, the highest reliability and absolute safety are fundamental requirements for day-to-day operation – particularly when lifting and moving heavy loads.

In crane technology, numerous components must work together precisely. Communication usually takes place via fieldbus systems such as PROFIBUS or PROFINET, which connect all system components to the central control unit.

Traditional transmission solutions such as trailing cables or slip rings quickly reach their limits. They are subject to mechanical stress, require frequent maintenance and represent a potential weak point in the system.

At the same time, communication faults must not lead to bus errors or system downtime. Continuously stable data transmission is essential, particularly in automated operation.

DATAEAGLE wireless systems enable wired links to be reliably replaced with wireless communication solutions.

The DATAEAGLE 3000 series enables the transparent transmission of PROFIBUS data and integrates seamlessly into existing systems. The DATAEAGLE 4000 series is available for PROFINET and Ethernet-based applications.

A key advantage is the patented filter technology, which ensures that lost or corrupted telegrams do not cause bus errors. This keeps communication stable – even under difficult conditions.

The wireless technology used is predominantly Bluetooth with frequency hopping. This technology offers particularly high availability and is specifically suited for industrial use with real-time requirements.

• PROFIBUS wireless data transmission system
• DATAEAGLE 3712 radio module

The use of wireless solutions completely replaces mechanically vulnerable components such as cables or slip rings. This leads to significantly higher system availability, reduces maintenance requirements and minimises downtime.

The systems also operate reliably and stably in automated mode, as communication faults no longer lead to bus errors.

The high performance of DATAEAGLE wireless systems is demonstrated by numerous successful installations worldwide. Renowned manufacturers such as Scheffer, Demag and Terex have been using the technology successfully for years and benefit from a safe, low-maintenance and future-proof solution for modern crane applications.