If you are reviewing recent years, you will see that radio remote controls are increasing day by day. It has become more common in alternate to the corded pendant assembly. Specifically, when dealing with the material handling industry, they generally prefer using the radio remote control.
The wireless radio controls generally increase productivity and safety during operation while reducing downtime. However, during the field operation, the operators find them easier to use than corded pendant assemblies. With the continuous evolution of technology, radio remote controls are becoming more cost-effective than before.
Let us see the benefits of radio remote controls.
Increased safety and ergonomics
In the material handling industry, you will see the everyday use of radio remote controls while operating with hoists and control cranes. In applying these, the operators need to be aware of the surroundings where the operations take place. It would ensure that the crane can safely lift various loads and is free of any obstacles.
The radio remote control operation allows the operator to have control over the crane. They can control the system from any nearby location instead of being tethered to the crane with the help of a hardwired pendant cord. It enhances mobility during the operation. Due to the increased mobility, the operator can position themselves at various key locations. It provides the operator with the ability to:
- Find better vantage points. It ensures that the load part is free of any obstacles.
- Avoiding any trip hazards and pinch points while moving throughout the lift
- Checking the load from different angles to make sure that the rigging appropriately takes place. It can help to prevent snags and load shifts.
Using the radio remote control helps keep the operator safe and protects the other workers in that particular area. It also helps to prevent any damages to the various surrounding equipment and even the load itself.
The radio transmitters for the radio remote controls are designed by keeping the concept of ergonomics in mind. While it tends to reduce the fatigue on the operator's hand, it simply allows the radio to provide accurate and continuous control of the equipment. Even if one operates the machine for hours, the new remote control helps maintain a safe operation environment throughout the work shift.
Various applications require operators to control a variety of functions at the same time. During that time, if one tends to use the pendant control, it can become quite tricky as the process is less operator-friendly. But with radio, remote control, one can have ease of use. Even when operating with various controls, the operator can maintain proper spacing and size to accommodate a gloved hand.
Increase in productivity
It is a known fact that radio remote controls can help to improve the operator's mobility. It is also known to increase the safety officer operator while reducing the cycle times. While the operator uses the remote control, they are not tethered to the equipment with any pendant. Therefore the operators are free to move anywhere and everywhere throughout the facility. It helps them to keep the production taking place efficiently.
Operations that require the use of various machines to complete the job can be challenging tasks. However, with the introduction of radio remote controls, one operator single-handedly can operate multiple controls of hoists and cranes simultaneously. This process does not require any wired connections. One operator can effectively and safely perform all the operations requiring multiple operators and wired controls.
Decreased downtime
Using a pendant during the material handling application is quite a common thing that every operator goes through. But during this process, many times, the pendant tends to get damaged. Due to this, it often results in more extended downtimes. Unless the equipment is repaired, one will stop the production.
If the transmitter tends to get damaged during radio remote controls, then the square transmitter can immediately solve this situation without affecting much downtime. It becomes much easier to protect the transmitters from damage as one can store them easily in any secured location when they are not in use. But in the case of the pendant, they are continuously exposed to the workplace environment, which makes them get damaged easily.
Ideal for unique application
The radio remote control systems are ideal for various unique applications. When the installation of the operating system is time-consuming and cumbersome like the pitch and catch system, festoon-less crane system and multiple-unit control, then the radio remote control helps you a lot with the production.
Unless the operation is complete, no other individual can control the crane. It creates a safe environment for the operation and the other workers if one uses the radio remote control system. Moreover, you can control the equipment without wires between the units. However, with the cost of the conductors rising, the cost of radio controls can be on the lesser side. It eliminates the need for festooning as the conductor bar, bridge panel, hoist panel, and girder can control both the crane and the receiver.
