November 4, 2014
Automatic Route-Planning System for Crane Transportation of Large Components in Large-Scale Plants
Hitachi, Ltd. today announced the development of an automatic route-planning system that speedily plans routes for cranes to transport large components, such as pipes and apparatus, into plants during construction or maintenance work. Hitachi plans to further enhance the system and apply it for reactor decommissioning work at nuclear power plants in the future.
The system uses three-dimensional (3D) models of large-scale plants prepared using CAD (computer-aided design) or other instruments. Simply by designating the starting point and ending point of the component installation or replacement on the model, the system automatically searches for the optimal route within a minute. The system also mitigates the risks of components colliding with building structures and other objects. Thus, the system shortens construction periods and enhances workplace safety as well as significantly reducing the time required for route-planning.
Image of system generated route for transport by crane
