Autonomous Positioning System (APS) consists of a spanset beam which houses 2 hubs with pitch propellers, 2 15kw electric motors and a control unit. The APS is attached to the crane hook as normal using slings, chains or shackles of a suitable SWL attached to lifting points on the top of the spanset beam.
The blade is then slung using lifting points on the underside of the spanset beam. The blade is lifted as normal however the APS operator works in tandem with the crane operator and uses a remote control to counter any wind movement or rotation and is able to precisely align the root end of the blade to the hub without the use of tag lines.
The APS is a simple solution which has multiple benefits including less risk to personnel, more production due to improved wind speed limits and potential cost savings due to less downtime. The APS can be configured multiple ways but ultimately is just an additional lifting accessory so can be used by all suitably sized cranes therefore is accessible to all.
Risk to personnel is greatly reduced if using the APS. There is less reason for people to be in the lifting zone as there is no requirement for tag lines when using APS, the operator can control the APS from outside the lifting zone using the remote control. As the APS rids the requirement of tag lines, lifts can be carried out on much smaller/tighter hardstands, without the risk of personnel having to move around off of the hardstand when using a tag line, again reducing the risk of injuries to personnel.
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Monitor Report. Farrans Construction. Scotland. March 2025.
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