Cable Reels – Things to know

Cable Reels – Things to know

The crane industry is one that forms the base of all other industries. Whether it be construction, towing or building business, none of them can do their work without cranes. And the heart of the crane is the cable reel. As the motherboard to the computer, so is the cable reel to the crane – it cannot function without it.

What does the cable reel do?

The cable reel can be found on the side of the lowest boom section. It is wound in round circles over a reel structure. The function of the cable reel is to take measurement of how long the boom is extended out. The end of the boom is the highest section of the boom. The cable is attached to this end. When the crane is in operation and the crane operator boom out, which means s/he extends the boom, the cable that is wound around the cable reel spools out. This is what tells the computer how far the boom is. How does this happen? When the crane operator pulls the boom back, the cable spools itself back. Think of how a yo-yo extends and retracts. This function is quite similar to that. This informs the computer when the crane boom is back in.

Why is cable reel important?

Why is it so important that the computer should get information regarding the crane boom and the cable? The answer is safety. A crane is a heavy machine that is used for extremely heavy loads. This process, if not monitored properly, can cause accidents and injuries to person, cargo and machine itself. Therefore a regulating system is needed. The usage of a crane wearing system or a load moment indicator is to prevent such accidents – it prevents the crane from tipping over by preventing it to pick too much load at a wrong angle. The capacity of the crane, that is, the maximum limit till which it should be allowed to lift is determined by the manufacturer of the crane. This is decided on two parameters – one is strength testing; and the other, engineering. Engineering simply refers to the making and the structure of the crane, that is, how much it is designed to hold under the laws of physics without tipping over or causing harm. Strength testing is a practical aspect in which the crane is tested under controlled conditions to check its ability to carry certain amounts of loads. After both these considerations, the maximum value of safe weight that the crane can carry is decided. It is different for different cranes. This data is then programmed into the LMI computer, which on the basis of three sensors - the cable reel tells length or how far out the load is, the angle sensor tells the angle to the load, and the load cell tells how much the weight is – detects whether the load is safe.

LSI Wireless

Seeing as how important cable reel is to the safe operation of the crane, it is important that it be of the best quality. You can ensure it by shopping from LSI Wireless, which has a huge variety of quality cable reels suited for every kind of crane.

Mike bode, the founder of lsiwireless.com, a global dealer of lsi-robway™ products.