Competent and innovative

Crane technology and lifting gear at Siemens have a long tradition. As far back as 1891, Siemens had equipped a 1.5 t slewing crane with regenerative feedback into the line supply.

With our drive technology today we can achieve a lifting capacity of much more than 14000 t and a hoisting gear speed in excess of 180 m/min.

Trends and requirements

We create significant customer benefits through savings in fuel costs and reduction of CO₂ emissions with our rubber tired gantry cranes thanks to our ECO concept. With our automation and safety concepts we implement automatic guided crane operation.

The rapid growth of worldwide container transport with ever shorter cargo handling times places new demands on crane manufacturers, system integrators and operators of harbor cranes. Mastering large dimensions, high speeds and heavy loads despite highly demanding precision and safety requirements and all imaginable climatic environmental conditions is a characteristic challenge for this field of application.

The industrial environment is characterized by a wide variety of crane types and load suspension devices. Precision and safety are paramount here, but throughput of goods and availability are also important factors. Depending on the type of goods to be transported, careful transport and damage prevention can be a decisive factor. Industrial cranes are often part of a process chain (e.g. ladle crane) or are integrated into system landscapes of a logistical type (e.g. warehouse management).

Siemens is setting standards in energy efficiency and energy management

Rising energy costs and reduction of CO₂ emissions are also concerns that demand innovative economical and environmentally sound solutions. Regenerative systems, energy‑efficient motors, as well as hybrid drives with intelligent energy management system are today's solutions for the future.

Platform concept

In order to meet these requirements, Siemens has developed the SIMOCRANE crane technology platform. With the solutions developed by Siemens we master the challenge of shorter and shorter handling times for loads combined with reduced energy requirements.

Standardization and specialization

As one of the leading experts in the industry, Siemens offers innovative SINAMICS drive and control systems for this purpose. On this platform, the modular, maintenance‑friendly drive and control components of SIMOCRANE form the basis for controlling the motion of a crane.

The portfolio is supplemented with a series of technology options of SIMOCRANE Advanced Technology which, in a suitable combination, optimize operation of a crane and increase the availability.

The concept of a modular technology platform also contributes to the shortening of the configuring and commissioning times.

Pre‑configured crane control modules for controlling and automating all types of crane

Scalable in hardware and software

Our products and solutions cover the requirements of cranes in dockside applications (container loading and unloading, stacking mode and grab mode), as well as in industrial applications in the steel and paper industries (ladle cranes, winding applications), in shipbuilding (Goliath cranes) and in numerous other industrial applications. Due to their scalability they support customers both in the implementation of complex large cranes with high drive outputs of up to several 1000 kW and demanding functional scope (sway control, automation), as well as simpler crane types with lower outputs of just a few kW and a low degree of automation (manual operation).

Continuous consulting

We accompany you over the complete life cycle with engineering and mechatronic support for the creation of the optimal solution for your crane. During the implementation, installation and commissioning phases as well as during servicing work this is achieved by provision of spare parts, on‑site service (local) and the appropriate maintenance contracts. In the creation of the optimal solution for your crane through to implementation and handover to the plant as well as during servicing work on‑site or via teleservice. In cooperation with you, we also develop concepts for modernizing and retrofitting old crane systems.

Siemens offers products and solutions for all crane applications

Section "SIMOCRANE application examples" demonstrates what is involved in a complete crane application. It illustrates what is covered by standard products and where the application component is relevant in the application.