Motion Control & Drives


New smart, connected crane

June 2024 Motion Control & Drives

Konecranes has launched its flagship Konecranes X-series industrial crane, the successor to its popular CXT model. It has a new compact design and safe, reliable technology that, thanks to its wireless upgrade capabilities, can adapt to customer needs now and in the future.

“The new flagship crane builds on a quarter century of success for the CXT, which was launched in 2000 and to date has sold well over 100 000 units globally,” said product manager, Jussi Luokomaa. “We expect to see good demand for the Konecranes X-series across multiple industries, making it a core product for the company for years to come.”

Connectivity for enhanced performance

The Konecranes X-series stands out not only for its lean, state-of-the-art electrical architecture, but also for its connectivity. Designed to be safe, compact and reliable, it can flexibly adjust to future customer requirements, maximising the investment value. This adaptability is enabled by smart, connected components, allowing seamless software upgrades ‘over the air’ − a first in the standard crane industry.

Customers have the option to purchase the crane initially and easily upgrade to additional smart features, enabling seamless incorporation of functionalities as business needs evolve. Additionally, troubleshooting and software updates can be conveniently conducted from floor level, minimising potential downtime. With a focus on user-friendly design, the crane features a new ergonomic CANMAN radio with an integrated display, providing operators with freedom of movement and essential information at their fingertips, while also offering stepless control for safer and more precise lifting experiences.

Equipped with TRUCONNECT remote monitoring, the Konecranes X-series provides vital insights into crane usage and operation. This data, combined with maintenance information, empowers businesses to make informed decisions regarding maintenance schedules, safety, and productivity enhancements. This innovation in connectivity underscores Konecranes’ commitment to enhancing productivity and reducing downtime, reflecting the growing importance of connected equipment in material handling. To date, Konecranes has 53 600 pieces of connected equipment globally.

A great crane needs a great hoist

What further distinguishes the Konecranes X-series crane is the new Konecranes S-series low headroom hoist. This compact hoist features excellent approach dimensions and smooth, stepless lifting with a load-dependent lifting motor, enhancing the user experience and reducing cycle times. The use of strong, lightweight, durable synthetic rope improves safety and handling compared to steel wire rope.

Commitment to sustainability

The X-series shows how Konecranes is shaping next-generation material handling for a smarter, safer and better world. Through sustainable design and material choices, such as a more compact and efficient motor, and synthetic rope, the X-series drives efficiency improvements. Features like a thrust rocker reduce steel consumption, and an optimised belt drive reduces wear, minimising the overall environmental impact. The optimised design, with synthetic rope and guide rollers, enhances performance and extends equipment lifespan, while also reducing maintenance needs. Additionally, the implementation of inverter lifting technology ensures precise motor speed control, minimising energy waste. With the X-series, Konecranes delivers a reliable solution, emphasising sustainability. The Design for Environment (DfE) approach guided product development, aiming to minimise environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle.

A strong focus on customers, and commitment to business growth and continuous improvement, make Konecranes a material handling industry leader. This is underpinned by the company’s investment in digitalisation and technology, to make material flow more efficient with solutions that decarbonise the economy, and advance circularity and safety for its customers.

For more information contact Tanja Wilson, Konecranes, +971 56 414 1878, [email protected], www.konecranes.com




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Taking reliability to the trenches
SKF South Africa Motion Control & Drives
SKF’s maintenance-free Y Bearing Unit has significantly extended equipment uptime for key customer Gibela, a leading level 5CE CIBD-rated civils company with more than ten years of experience in the field.

Read more...
Adjustable chocks support extremely large telescope
SKF South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Adjustable chocks from SKF will play an important role in the world’s largest visible/near-infrared telescope, the ELT, which is currently under construction in Chile.

Read more...
Safe handling in all sectors
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG is committed to ensuring optimum safety standards in all sectors, and encourages and assists customers to adhere to stringent safety legislation during bulk handling. Tsubaki backstops and cam clutches, which have been developed and manufactured in Japan for high efficiency and optimum safety in high- or low-speed applications, meet the requirements of current legislation.

Read more...
Motion control solutions for better machining results
Motion Control & Drives
NSK Europe is shining the spotlight on its latest solutions for machine tools. Innovative NSK bearings, ball screws, and linear guides can deliver significant gains for both machine users and builders.

Read more...
Drive technology for tunnel construction
Motion Control & Drives
Compact, robust, and reliable - these are the advantages of RUD’s Tecdos drive technology, which is a gamechanger in tunnel construction.

Read more...
Modernising for productivity
SEW-Eurodrive Motion Control & Drives
Making its debut appearance at NAMPO Cape in Bredasdorp in September this year, geared motor specialist SEW-EURODRIVE is all set to excite the farming community with even more solutions to drive productivity and efficiency.

Read more...
Cost-effective machine health monitoring
SKF South Africa Motion Control & Drives
The easy to use SKF QuickCollect Bluetooth-enabled, handheld sensor monitors the health of rotating machinery via mobile iOS and Android apps, identifies developing issues, and mitigates potential failures by enabling customers to initiate predictive maintenance.

Read more...
Beer brewers avoid grease contamination
igus Motion Control & Drives
A study by RWTH Aachen University and igus recently quantified the financial and environmental benefits of using lubrication-free polymer bearings over traditional metal bearings. The study revealed that users can save millions of rands annually in lubricant costs, significantly reducing their environmental impact.

Read more...
Supporting the low-carbon steel movement
Motion Control & Drives
With a legacy of pioneering safer, more productive, and sustainable equipment and services, Konecranes is committed to advancing a decarbonised and circular world for customers and society.

Read more...
Harnessing robotics for a sustainable future
Motion Control & Drives
Yaskawa South Africa stands at the forefront of the green revolution, leveraging advanced robotics to drive sustainable manufacturing practices.

Read more...