Technological University of the Philippines

Manila


Development of a Load Moment Indicator System for Heavy Load Crane




A Research Proposal


Presented to the Faculty of the
College of Engineering


In partial fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Engineering


by

Rafael A. Dimaculangan


July 2014
TOPIC
Industrial Control and Automation, Instrumentation and Process Control

TITLE
Development of a Load Moment Indicator System for Heavy Load Crane.

INTRODUCTION
Heavy load cranes play a vital role within the industry. They are used throughout the
world in thousands of shipping yards, construction sites, and warehouses and in a wide variety of
material handling applications. The main concern in operating heavy equipment such as crane is
the safety of both human operator and machine. Statistics indicate that a significant number of
construction injuries and fatalities are crane related accidents that also cost hundreds of
thousands of dollars in equipment damage and other related costs. Therefore, a more thorough
understanding of cranes, their capabilities and limitations is critically important for everyone
involve in the construction today. The crane can perform safely and economically when operated
within the design parameters set by the manufacturer.
However, maximum payload requirements depending on arm extension or boom length
and arm angle or boom angle of the crane makes it challenging for human operators to monitor
in order to manipulate payloads quickly, accurately and safely. This is where the Load Moment
Indicator System began.

RATIONALE
A Load Moment Indicator System provides a load chart based on boom length, boom
angle and radius to monitor the actual load the crane can handle. LMI Systems for mobile cranes
have been in existence for over 50 years (Sky Azul Equipment Solution). Nowadays, there are
many new Heavy load cranes that has built in LMI systems but it will costs hundreds of
thousands of dollars to purchased thatswhy many companies or contractors here in the
Philippines preferred to buy second hand cranes. This is where the problem arises. The LMI
System of those heavy load cranes were already defective. And based on the conducted research
by our company Samuel Pacsual Commercials, Inc. where I am connected with, it is more
practical to replace the existing LMI system using Programmable Logic Controller and Human
Machine Interface than to repair it.

OBJECTIVE


SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. To design a control system which measures and monitors the following parameters:
a. Boom length
b. Boom angle
c. Boom radius
d. Tip Height/ Vertical Clearance
e. Maximum Load
f. Actual load
g. Efficiency
h. Percentage (Actual Load/Maximum Load)

2. To program the programmable logic controller and the human machine interface based on
the requirements of the system;

3. To test the accuracy and precision of the system based on manufacturer rated lifting load
chart; and

4. To ensure that the system design meets industry safety standards;







DESIGN CONCEPT


MONITOR PLC



Figure 1. Functional block diagram of the proposed PLC training system
HUMAN
OPERATOR
HMI CONTROLLER CRANE
SENSORS