Encoders for position and speed monitoring in port and crane technology
Hübner Giessen develops and manufactures heavy-duty rotary encoders and encoder systems for port and crane technology. Our systems monitor rotational speeds, positioning, speed limits, and velocities—for example, on crane trolleys, hoists, gantry trolleys, booms, and slewing mechanisms.
They are designed to withstand the extreme mechanical and climatic conditions found in port and crane applications. These include, among other things, vibrations and shocks, temperature fluctuations and humidity, as well as salty ambient air. As a result, our encoder solutions ensure that cranes and port facilities operate precisely, safely, and without failure over the long term.
Depending on the application, incremental and absolute encoders, magnetic encoders, speed and position switches, as well as complete encoder systems for position, speed, and velocity monitoring are available.
Rotary encoder systems for container cranes, gantry cranes, and other specialty cranes
Encoders and encoder systems from Hübner Giessen are used worldwide in many types of cranes at ports and loading terminals to move containers and bulk cargo.
Typical applications in cranes include:
- STS cranes / container gantry cranes (Ship-to-Shore) for loading and unloading container ships
- RTGs (rubber-tired stacker cranes / terminal gantry cranes) for flexible container handling
- RMGs (rail-mounted gantry stacker cranes) for automated container handling with highly precise positioning along a fixed track
- Swing cranes / mobile harbor cranes for handling bulk cargo
In addition, we offer encoder systems for the following applications in port and crane technology:
- Offshore cranes, Oil rig cranes, Coil cranes, Overhead cranes, Casting cranes, Goliath gantry cranes, Double-quay cranes, Ship cranes, Heavy-duty cranes, Cranes for installing wind turbines
- Gantry lift trucks
- double-lever luffing cranes
- Ship loaders and unloaders
- Dumpers/reloaders
- Railcar tippers
Discover our encoder solutions for port and crane technology
Where Encoders Are Used in Cranes and Port Facilities
Hübner Giessen encoders and encoder systems are used in moving components of cranes and port facilities where rotational speed, position, or velocity must be precisely monitored. These robust encoders provide highly accurate data and ensure that components can be controlled correctly and moved safely.
Typical applications for encoders in cranes:
- Crane travel gear: Monitoring the horizontal movement of the crane
- Hoisting mechanisms: Measurement of load position and speed during lifting/lowering of loads
- Booms: Angle and position determination for safe speed and maximum speed monitoring
- Trolley travel mechanisms: Control of the trolley’s horizontal movement
- Slewing mechanisms: Measurement of rotational movement in slewing cranes
- Drive motors: Speed control for smooth movements
What Matters Most When It Comes to Rotary Encoders in Cranes
Cranes and crane systems in ports are massive machines that must move extremely heavy loads with the utmost precision. To ensure error-free operation, the encoder systems used must be robustly built and optimally adapted to the specific operating conditions.
Typical challenges for encoder systems in cranes and port facilities:
- Severe vibrations and shock loads caused by travel, lifting, and handling movements
- Moisture and salty ambient air in port and offshore applications
- Wide temperature fluctuations during year-round outdoor operation
- High mechanical stresses caused by heavy loads and dynamic movements
- Difficult installation conditions due to long distances, limited installation space, and hard-to-reach locations
- Long signal transmission paths between the encoder, drive, and control system
How Do Crane Manufacturers Benefit from Hübner Giessen Encoders?
Hübner Giessen equips crane manufacturers (OEMs), port facility operators, and suppliers to the port and crane industries worldwide with encoder systems for their machines and equipment. We provide guidance on selection and customize the systems to meet individual needs. In addition, we offer engineering support and supply suitable electronic components, mounting parts, and solutions for signal transmission, such as via fiber-optic cables (FOC).
Benefits for Crane Manufacturers (OEMs):
- Application-specific solutions: customized to crane models, mounting conditions, and measurement tasks
- Easy integration: compatible with common control systems
- Engineering support: consulting, planning, and commissioning—all from a single source
- Certified components: compliant with international norms and standards (ISO, DIN, SIL, ATEX)
- Complete system solutions: including electronic components, motors, mounting parts, and transmission paths (e.g., fiber optics)
Benefits for port and crane operators:
- High system availability: Heavy-duty encoders for extreme operating and environmental conditions
- Precise control: through highly accurate, reliable data acquisition
- Lower maintenance costs: durable components with minimal wear
- Improved safety: certified to SIL 2 / PL d for functional safety
- Effective modernization: customized retrofit solutions for existing systems
The Benefits of Crane Modernization with Encoders from Hübner Giessen
Aging cranes and port facilities can be efficiently modernized using encoder systems from Hübner Giessen. We replace old mechanical components with custom-designed electronic solutions. These provide significantly better signal quality. This improves productivity, enhances functional safety, and simplifies commissioning after rope replacement and maintenance work, for example.
Typical modernization projects:
- Replacement of mechanical tachometers with digital encoders
- Retrofitting of absolute encoders for automated crane systems
- Integration of safety functions (e.g., emergency stop, overload protection, Safe Limited Speed (SLS), Safe Speed Monitoring (SSM), Safe Direction (SDI), Safe Limited Position (SLP), Safe Position (SP), Safe Torque Off (STO), Safe Stop 1 (SS1), Safe Stop 2 (SS2), Safe Operating Stop (SOS), Safe Brake Control (SBC), Safe Brake Test (SBT)
U-ONE: Our System Solution for Crane Applications
Our U-ONE / U-ONE Safety universal encoder system is used in many areas of port and crane technology. Take a look at the example of an STS crane to see the advantages the system offers in both new plant construction and modernization projects.
For more information, please feel free to contact our experts.
Case Studies: Hübner Giessen Solutions for Crane and Port Technology
Our case studies offer you in-depth insights into the solutions we have developed for various common challenges in port and crane technology. In these studies, we demonstrate how we address specific industry challenges and showcase selected products.
Through detailed analysis and real-life examples, you can understand how our innovative solutions have helped to increase efficiency, reduce costs and optimize operational processes.
Case study – Hoist / Drum: easier and more precise positioning following a position switch retrofit
Picture the situation: four, or even six, containers, all stacked as tall as a h…
Case study: Protecting people with high-precision crane positioning
To minimize the risk of accidents when using coil handling cranes, it is essenti…
Case study: More precise switching for a crane hoist
They are up to 70 meters wide and can lift a similar weight in tons, but despite…
How to Contact Hübner Giessen
Do you need a rotary encoder system for a new crane, or would you like to modernize an existing port or crane facility? Hübner Giessen develops heavy-duty rotary encoder solutions tailored to the crane type, measurement task, mounting conditions, environmental conditions, and existing control technology.
Simply contact us using the contact form.
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We look forward to your challenges.