Konecranes and Aalto University have recently agreed on cooperation within the area of the Industrial Internet, where Konecranes will install a smart CXT NEO-based crane on the Aalto University Industrial Internet Campus (AIIC) in Otaniemi, Finland.
The crane will be equipped with Truconnect remote monitoring technology, which enables large Industrial Internet ecosystem integration and further full-scale research and innovation work. Delivery is scheduled for autumn 2016.
Martti Mäntylä, Professor at Aalto University, said: “The ambition of Aalto’s Industrial Internet Campus is to catalyse innovations in close co-operation with leading companies from technology and ICT industries.
“We welcome the new opportunities for studying the future of Industrial Internet with Konecranes Corporation enabled by their generous offer. The smart crane will be put in good use by Aalto’s researchers and students, and likewise our innovation partners from the entire Industrial Internet ecosystem.”
Mikko Uhari, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Technology at Konecranes, said: “This is an excellent way for Konecranes to deepen our cooperation with Aalto University. The Industrial Internet is one of our key strategies and represents a great potential and enabler of the future business conducted by us and our customers.”
Read more about Konecranes in our Supplier Directory
The CXT NEO-based crane will be equipped with many smart features, such as target positioning, which means that from the push of a single button, the crane brings a load to various predefined targets.
It will also include sway-control, which limits load swing and allows for safe and precise load movement, as well as hook-centring, which automatically eliminates side pull when a load is lifted.
The crane’s control system, intelligent components and sensors will be connected to the Konecranes Truconnect platform.
Through Truconnect, the students will have access to the crane interface, and it will enable establishing communication with other systems, like high-level production management systems, analytics tools and new applications to be innovated.
Konecranes Truconnect Remote Monitoring uses sensors to collect data, such as running time, motor starts, work cycles and emergency stops, providing visibility for crane usage.
After the data is analysed, insights can be gained to help optimize operations and maintenance.
Mikko Uhari concluded: “Through the cooperation, Konecranes can be an active partner in the community that creates the future of the Industrial Internet. Opening crane data interfaces to researchers and other developers enables innovations that, in the long run, will benefit everybody in the ecosystem.”
