Development of a Software for the Calculation of Payloads of Cranes

Manitowoc is a specialist in lifting solutions such as mobile telescopic and superstructure cranes with headquarters in the USA and subsidiaries worldwide. The aim is to design a crane in such a way that it offers as much performance as possible, but still remains roadworthy or capable of being used on full terrain.

The customer required software from SWMS to calculate the load that can be lifted when telescoping the crane boom using load tables. 30 years ago the possible combinations were limited to several hundred, today they exceed this number by a multiple. For example, different outriggers, counterweights and support variants must be taken into account. The system must therefore be able to process huge amounts of data reliably. Locations in other parts of the world should also be able to use the software and all departments involved should be integrated.

Basically agile and with much direct, partly daily communication with Manitowoc employees, also via digital tools like Skype and the Team Foundation Server. The customer represents the development scenarios, from which realistic work packages are laced. This procedure prevents that it comes to a work queue, and enables, to react fast to changes . In addition it means a reduced expenditure for the enterprise, because the coworkers of Manitowoc can test changes directly. So there is no need for a large dimensioned acceptance. A comprehensive meeting is held every six months to plan the long-term approach. The view for the "big picture" is essential, also with regard to the interaction of software and product.

SWMS developed software specifically tailored to the needs of the customer. It brings together several tools that had previously been set up in different departments of the company and independently of each other. Now there is only one data source from which the software draws the basis for its calculation. Depending on the user's query, specific insights can be gained into components and loads, for example.

The new software accesses existing data from a single source. They also have significantly better quality. In this way, much larger amounts of data can be mapped and the calculations can be significantly accelerated by the solver. All changes in the system are traceable, which offers the customer security. A further advantage: Partial components can be reused. A clearly arranged user interface simplifies work with the software.