Lift planning goes mobile

Liebherr’s Crane Planner 2.0 helps users find solutions to successfully master lifts. The latest feature is Crane Planner’s mobile app that delivers lift planning data directly to a mobile device.

According to Liebherr, Crane Planner 2.0 combines highly detailed, interactive 3D models with all the relevant planning data, based on the Load Moment Limiter (LML) of the respective machine.

“Every change in the crane geometry activates a new calculation of all planning data,” Liebherr said. “The software gives a warning as soon as the risk of a potential collision between machine, load or surroundings exists, or if safety distances are not observed. Parameters such as ground pressure, utilization, center of gravity and erectability are constantly monitored. Information such as lifting height or radius can be activated and user-specified measurements (metric or imperial) can be appropriately defined. After planning, the results can be printed or shared with others in a cloud.”

Crane Planner 2.0 can deliver precise 3D models of the machine configuration. Using current machine data, configurations of all available Liebherr crawler cranes and duty cycle crawler cranes in all positions can be selected.

Using “Quick Config” the user can quickly alter various crane configurations during the planning stage, (for example, the length of the main boom from 62 meters to 71 meters), and then let the system recalculate the complete lift.

New features

The Rigging Editor feature enables a general definition of the lifting devices. Users can choose from six different models and specify heights, lengths, breadths and weights of the chosen lifting devices as required. Based on these criteria, the system calculates the consequential forces, angles and lengths. At the same time, the resulting geometry is considered to assess possible collisions.

Planning data such as load capacity, distribution of the ground pressure, and specific information about the geometry can be exported to a lifting plan for all defined working processes. Additionally, the Report Designer allows combined export of technical drawings and relevant planning data in PDF format. The measuring functions and the various import and export options are purposefully tailored to meet the requirements of modern lift planning.

Virtual Reality is an enhancement of the existing Crane Planner 2.0, allowing users to experience the planned project, including crane, load and surroundings, in virtual 3D.

During the planning phase, it is possible to survey the whole project, to operate the machines and to directly experience the planned working processes from lifting to setting down the load. In Ego Mode, the observer can move freely in the virtual area and view the project from all angles. Thus, a completely new spatial understanding of the jobsite and the technical interdependencies can be achieved.

Important data about the lift is quickly and easily available with the new CP mobile app, which features all Liebherr LR and HS machines built in or after 2002, including all lift charts available in the field. After selecting the appropriate crane and relevant load, ground pressure calculations can be quickly and easily carried out without costly planning. As well, this data can be prepared and exported as a report.