Evaluation and integration of a wireless touchscreen into a bridge crane control system

Human manipulation of suspended payloads using cranes can be difficult. Cable sway is easily induced into the lightly damped system, which inhibits efficient, safe, and accurate payload manipulation. This problem is compounded when the payload forms a double-pendulum configuration. To aid operators, a wireless touchscreen controller was integrated into the control system of a 10-ton industrial bridge crane. This touchscreen allows an operator to move freely around the workspace and drive the crane with a simple graphical user interface. The operational effects of the touchscreen was compared to that of a standard pendent interface through a series of human operator performance studies. An oscillation suppression algorithm was used in conjunction with each interface. The touchscreen provides greater operator mobility while producing comparable manipulation performance.