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Made-to-fit customized operation joysticks for offshore cranes

Utforska projektet

At Althen, we make great things! We fully understand that we are not always allowed to share certain highly confidential customer and product information. Nevertheless, we would like to tell you something about the made-to-fit joysticks used to operate our customer's heavy-lift cranes in the energy industry. Because of an ingenious intervention the joysticks have been made narrower. As a result the controllers fit seamlessly into the slim armrests of the operating seat in the crane's modern, ergonomic operating cabin.

About the company and its heavy-lift cranes

Our client has been in the energy market for a long time. With their innovations the company enables their customers to support energy production locations in every region of the world. Our client provides the expertise, operational support, equipment, and resources such as heavy-lift cranesfo r example. The cranes are suitable for carrying out all kinds of construction projects. Besides being widely used to safely handle cargoes in a demanding offshore environment, they are also very well suited to unload for example: supply vessels, material transfer, and offshore construction. With capacities up to 1,500 MT these cranes use state-of-the-art drive and control systems to carry out lifting operations safely and efficiently.

Ergonomic crane operating cabin

An ergonomic cabin with a good overview over the entire terrain and goods to be moved is crucial. Despite the often harsh outside conditons a pleasant indoor climate keeps the operator alert and fit. In the crane cabin the sight lines are integrated with all the window pillars in the right place. In addition to the correct working position, the design of the ergonomic operator seat also takes the optimal arrangement of the controls into account. Including the two joysticks.

ATEX joysticks integrated in the operating seat

As you probably know, ATEX is an EU directive that applies to electrical equipment which is used in a potentially explosive environment. A joystick with ATEX components has one or more potentiometers and/or switches that are ATEX certified. This ensures that these Joysticks can be used safely in hazardous environments, such as oil rigs, mining and chemical plants. Our joysticks with ATEX components can be customized to your demands. Normally you can choose between a 1-, 2- or 3-axis joystick and two different sizes. Proportional signals are archived by potentiometers with a special conductive plastic element. There are different configurations available. One with only switches, the other with only potentiometers or the combination of potentiometers and switches. The potentiometers and switches used on these joysticks are ATEX and IECEX approved.

Customized Althen joysticks

In addition, the joysticks we supplied had to be customised to our customer's individual requirements. Our challenge was whether we could get the joysticks integrated into the slim armrests of the ergonomic operating chair. Using a special gearbox we were able to significantly reduce the built-in width of this joystick and make it fit. Also, the potentiometers are activated by a 1:1 ratio connection with the mechanics from the joystick. As a result the joystick moves with a great feelability. The right joystick controls crane lifting up or down from the control seat. The left joystick provides horizontal luffing and vertical movement.