Die gripper cranes for the automotive industry

  • | Engineered for excellence

     

    In the press shops of the automotive industry, more than a million car body parts of various shapes and sizes for multiple models are produced every day. Due to this high variance press die set needs to be changed frequently requiring shorter press-cycles. Hence the slinging of the press dies with conventional slinging equipment such as chains or ropes is being replaced with die grippers enabling fast, compact, and multi-level storage of the pressing dies.

    Konecranes Die gripper cranes is custom designed for die handling application in automotive industry. Die gripper crane is available with trolley equipped with coupled winches, intelligent sensor technology, advanced smart features, precise positioning system helping in high-performance, efficient, and safe transport of press dies.

  • die gripper

die gripper 3D_1

Features

  • Trolley with coupled open winches
  • Design of all components considering a center of gravity eccentricity of 100mm, related to the max. die weight
  • Stable 4-point load suspension with balancing rocker
  • Millimeter-precise pendulum-free positioning
  • Redundant laser or barcode measuring systems
  • Sway Control
  • Die gripper with integrated slewing gear
  • Uniform utilization of the rope strands due to integrated compensating rocker
  • Ropes tested for this application with high structural stability and high breaking load
  • Optional rope drive
  • Synchronized sensors designed redundantly and are evaluated in a fail-safe programmable logical controller (PLC)
die gripper 3D_2

Benefits

  • Faster die change
  • Safer die handling (pick-up, transport and drop off)
  • Efficient, space-saving utilization of the available storage area
  • Cranes and die grippers are customized as per customer requirements
  • Optimized reeving with a minimum of rope sheaves gives a maximized rope service lifetime.
  • Different level of automation possible: From manual operation to semi-automatic to fully automatic in combination with the Konecranes Warehouse Managing System
  • Intelligent sensor technology recognizes safe load pick-up and detects the surrounding area of gripper to avoid collisions. 
  • All safety-relevant functions are controlled in performance level d (PL d), category 2, according to EN ISO 13849-1—this also includes bypassing restrictive areas and route-guided target positioning
  • Crane and WMS Status visualizations on mobile devices
  • Excellent accessibility to all components for maintenance and service activities
  • Remote monitoring capability for informed maintenance planning

Technical specification

die gripper technical spec table

 

Customer story

Volvo shortens cycle times and improves safety with die gripper

We chose Konecranes for a good overall package with quality and punctuality. Cooperation secured the original goals for safety and ease of operation.
Anders Boking, Manager, Production Planning, Volvo Car Corporation, Olofström, Sweden

Smart Features included in basic die gripper crane

SF_A_sway control

Active Sway Control

Sway Control limits load swing by controlling the acceleration and deceleration of the bridge and trolley, enabling faster load handling and more precise positioning. Active Sway Control automatically eliminates load swing during crane operations. Based on the continual measurement of the angle between the trolley and gripper, it fine tunes the speed commands and stabilizes load movement in trolley and bridge travel including rotational control and skew compensation.

The Sway Control system also provides functions that go far beyond simple sway damping:

  • Perfect control of the load oscillation in all driving situations
  • Simultaneous motion of hoisting, long and cross travel and slewing gear rotation without any restriction
  • Highest precision at maximum driving dynamics due to short internal cycle times
  • No overshoot - stop without reversing. Virtually complete elimination of sway at stop
  • No residual sway
  • Very high target accuracy of less than ± 10 mm at the load
  • Very high load rotational angle control accuracy of less than ± 0,2 deg. at the load
  • Automatic mode at any lifting height
  • Automatic circumnavigation of restricted areas
SF_hook centering

Hook Centering

The Hook Centering feature eliminates side pull and the resulting load swing. When the die gripper is coupled, Hook Centering ensures that the load can only be lifted when it is directly vertical under the trolley. The vertical angle as well as the rotation angle are determined by a camera-reflector system and compensated by the control system.

SF_target

Target Positioning - optional

Target positioning moves the load along a pre-determined route from an initial position to a selected target position. The operator selects the target position via the radio control, presses a button, holds it down and the crane moves to that position. This reduces work cycle times and the risk of human error in repetitive operations.

SF_protected

Protected Areas - optional

Possible obstacles, such as the press, try-out press, offices or work areas, are taken into account when determining the transport routes from the die storage to the press as a bypass area, executed in safe performance level d.

Expertise that makes a difference

By working closely with customers, Konecranes has developed a body of experience in automotive industry processes and material handling applications. By applying our expertise, advanced technology, and service offerings, we can make a difference in the safety and productivity of your operation. Get in touch with our experts to learn more about our smart die gripper cranes.

 

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Videos

Konecranes Die Gripper Crane with WMS 2: 4 + 4 3D animation

Konecranes Die Gripper Crane with WMS 1: 5 + 5 3D animation