Wifi, wireless crane control

Lalesse has developed a unique concept whereby a wireless broadband network connection is used to guarantee that the crane is always available without costly time loss whenever the crane changes between different senders.

The most important difference with the existing ‘traditional' TCP/IP network solution is that the chosen WiFi solution is permanently controlled from multiple WiFi access points. This system, as opposed to ‘traditional' wireless communication systems, does not use ‘roaming' which sometimes has the disadvantage that signal availability is occasionally temporarily disrupted. The system has multiple powerful senders that are equipped with different antenna types that are specially designed for working in large warehouses. The antenna types, the setup, and the assigned frequency are chosen specifically so that the metal in the warehouse surroundings causes the least possible disturbance for the control signal. The WiFi senders are controlled via a separate system computer. This system computer continually tests if both senders are still active and the best communication route to the crane. If a sender unexpectedly falls away, then the computer switches immediately over to another sender without losing any time. This is an important safety precaution to prevent unmanned cranes riding uncontrolled through the warehouse.

The broadband Wifi technique also allows the crane supplier to diagnose warehouse cranes remotely via the internet.