The Morey Corporation Chosen to Design, Build Manitowoc's CraneSTAR Telematics Control Unit
Woodridge, Illinois, USA - The Morey Corporation, America's leading ODM manufacturer of advanced hardened electronics and telematics systems technology, has been chosen by Manitowoc Cranes to design, build, and supply the Telematics Control Unit (TCU) that forms a vital part of its ground-breaking new CraneSTAR* asset management system. CraneSTAR constantly collects vital data related to the crane's operating condition in real time and transmits it to a central database where managers can then monitor it from any on-line device.
Scott Blair, Director of Global Telematics at Manitowoc, said the company looked at both technological and practical advantages when selecting a provider. "We chose to work with Morey for the TCU because we were impressed with the capability and durability of the technology," he said. "The unit is extremely rugged and able to withstand even the toughest of environments that our customers put their cranes into. Plus it can tap into more data than equivalent units and offers better communication."
The CraneSTAR TCU is based on Morey's model MT-30SQ, a powerful new ruggedized asset management product that employs the latest wireless communication technology to access status and location data of mobile and portable assets worldwide. Other applications of the MT-30SQ include fleet and trailer management; industrial automation control; marine; security and asset management; and asset diagnostics and prognostics.
The TCU is fitted to the crane and connects to its CANbus or R232 system to obtain information on the crane's position and activity from its major operating functions. This information is then transmitted, via either cellular or satellite communications, to a central hosting server where users can access it.
In addition to offering the dual wireless communication capabilities (GSM and satellite) the TCU also features GPS technology allowing users to see the exact location and recent working positions of their Manitowoc cranes. They can also use this function to 'geofence' the equipment, limiting the areas in which the crane can travel. This is a useful feature if owners are concerned that equipment may be transported across unsuitable terrain or into environments that could be detrimental.
Greater processing power and multiple inputs/outputs are two further benefits of the Morey TCU. The unit has multiple digital/analog inputs allowing it to collect more data from the crane. Having multiple I/O also means that a single TCU can be used on a variety of different crane designs.
Emad Issac, Chief Technology Officer at The Morey Corporation, said that utilizing a single component was much easier than trying to have tailored devices for different cranes. "Manitowoc was very committed to have one standard TCU for its cranes," he said. "It's clear that for ease and speed of maintenance a single TCU is necessary, but the company also needs that unit to cover the diverse product range it has. The beauty of the Morey component is that its flexibility means it is suited to the company's full range."
The TCU has a hardened, sealed aluminum enclosure and measures 168 mm x 225 mm x 55 mm (6.85 in x 9.15 in x 2.25 in). It has a total of 12 inputs and two outputs and a 32-bit processor at its system core.
*CraneSTAR is a service mark of Manitowoc Crane Companies, Inc.
About The Morey Corporation
The Morey Corporation is a Leader in Advanced, Reliable Hardened Electronics. For more than seven decades, Morey has been and continues to be at the forefront of innovation in electronic product development and manufacturing for the Telematics, Display and Controller markets. The company has long-term manufacturing relationships with top-tier industry leaders in the Commercial Transportation, Aeronautical, Agriculture, Construction, Military, and other Heavy Equipment Industries. For more information, please visit www.moreycorp.com.
About The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is a multi-industry, capital goods manufacturer with over 100 manufacturing and service facilities in 27 countries. It is recognized as one of the world's largest providers of lifting equipment for the global construction industry, including lattice-boom cranes, tower cranes, mobile telescopic cranes, and boom trucks. Manitowoc also is one of the world's leading innovators and manufacturers of commercial foodservice equipment serving the ice, beverage, refrigeration, food prep, and cooking needs of restaurants, convenience stores, hotels, healthcare, and institutional applications.
Press Contact:
Ross Clark,
Marketing Manager
Tel: (630) 754-2166
Email: rclark@moreycorp.com
