Automation is not just about the operation of equipment—it’s also about the status of the equipment. CLESCRANE new sophisticated technology tools have strengthened preventive maintenance and improve overhead crane safety. These systems alert workers to potential issues before they occur. This is a key contributor to improved safety.

“By adding technology to the crane and putting some level of automation in place, you can actually program a safety algorithm. Or, you can program a set of safety steps that an operator or a maintenance crew could run before the start of a shift or every so many days. This furher ensures the health of your system,” Beilfuss said.

Wood said preventive maintenance helps prevent very costly downtime in facilities, and it also makes for safer maintenance because the user can better control the conditions for repairs.

“By predicting ahead of time the items that you need to replace in your inspections, you can replace something that is starting to get worn out before it becomes an actual problem—so you get to replace it on your terms,” Wood said. “It’s not reactive. You are choosing when and what to replace, and that allows you to control the situation. It allows you to do it on a third shift, or it allows you to do it on a weekend during a scheduled maintenance. It doesn’t happen in the middle of production when you’re trying to get a critical item out.”