Design began when humans first used stone as a tool. In fact, true industrial design began with the first industrial revolution. In the history of industrial design for more than 250 years, countless excellent industrial products have been born.
For example, mobile harbor cranes.
The world’s first steam crane
Modern mobile harbor cranes
Mobile harbor cranes, commonly known as wharf overhead cranes, are referred to as MHC. Not to mention ordinary people, not many people in port know about this kind of port plane. So far, it has only 4 brands worldwide, 3 in Western countries and 1 in China. The Chinese-made MHC comes from Runbang Heavy Machinery, branded as Gemma/GENMA. Take a look at a few work photos first:
Of course, we are not talking about this kind of machine today, but through its details, we can understand the industrial design concept presented by the domestic port machinery.
1. Multi-tire design
We have seen many machines with multiple tires, but we must be rare to see so many tires with port machines, right?
As shown in the picture above, this MHC has 20 sets of tires, and the number of tires has reached 80. So many tires are certainly not designed to be spectacular and good looking.
Why is that?
Don’t hurry, look down.
Everyone wants to use good machines, but not all terminals have good terminal infrastructure facilities such as SIPG and Shenzhen-Hong Kong. The load-bearing capacity of many old terminals does not meet the standards. In order to reduce the pressure of the machine on the ground of the terminal, GENMA MHC will design different number of tire schemes according to the terminal load capacity, evenly share the machine’s dead weight, and reduce the cost of terminal transformation.
2. Full-angle walking design
“This behemoth must be clumsy to move around, right?”
If you ask that, all I can say is that you know nothing about the “flexible fat man”, and look at the picture:
During the movement, GENMA MHC can not only go straight and back, but also has the function of driving sideways and diagonally at any angle, and can also perform a 360-degree “Thomas spin” when necessary.
To put it bluntly, it means ” opening wherever you are”.
This design allows the GENMA MHC to have good passability and is suitable for docks with narrow and irregular terrain.
3. Ground-mounted boom design
The boom of the GENMA MHC can be lowered to the ground in typhoon weather, ensuring the safety of the machine. At the same time, this floor-mountable design makes it easier to maintain the boom.
It is worth mentioning that the cylinder of the GENMA MHC support boom is designed above the boom. This design makes the form of force on the cylinder more reasonable and, most importantly, effective enough to avoid cargo collisions with the cylinder
This kind of design seems to be just a simple position adjustment, but at a deep level, it is an industrial design thinking from the perspective of customers.
4. Design of engine outward moving track
The engine is the heart of the machine, what if the heart is going to be operated on and the “scalpel” outside can’t get in?
GENMA has designed a sliding track for the engine, which can be easily slid out of the machine compartment when repairs are required, making maintenance easier at a later stage.
5. Safe refueling control design
Some time ago, news reported that MHC of a certain foreign brand caught fire again…..
It is known that this was a spontaneous combustion accident caused by the crew filling the machine with fuel without turning it off. There are always unruly people in the world who are greedy for convenience and operate in violation of regulations. It is obviously unrealistic to just place hope on people to consciously abide by the operating procedures.
What to do?
GENMA designers designed a safe refueling system for MHC. This kind of system can ensure that when the workers fill the fuel, there will be no spontaneous combustion accident.
6. Elevator design
This design is more common in some ultra-high cranes, but it is less commonly used in machines of this height such as gantry cranes.
From a “people-oriented” perspective, GENMA has added an elevator design inside the new generation MHC tower, which has to be said to be a benefit for workers.
7. Other details that are amazing
(1) Vertical ground observation window
The GENMA MHC cab is designed with 180-degree panoramic windows and is equipped with video surveillance in key areas of the machine.
Do you think that’s the end of it?
The GENMA MHC actually opened a window in the floor, and the driver could turn his head to see the vertical ground, which is really amazing.
(2) Instant messaging system
This instant messaging system is distributed in all major parts of the machine.
In case the driver’s mobile phone or walkie-talkie is out of battery or the signal is not good, you can always pick up the instant phone at hand to contact.
(3) Wire rope rollers
The GENMA MHC wire rope pulley is made of nylon.
So, why not use steel?
Here it isMeticulous industrial design thinking by GENMA engineers. If the steel pulley is used, the wire rope and the pulley will have to be “stiff”, which will accelerate the wear of the wire rope and reduce its service life.
(4) Night lighting strips
This kind LED strip light design, so that the machine is very dazzling at night.
If you thought it was purely for aesthetics, that GENMA’s engineers are also too superficial.
This kind of 24V DC power supply waterproof flood light, moisture-proof and explosion-proof, wide lighting range, is installed in the electrical room, machine room, walkway and other areas, improving the efficiency of night operation.
(5) Machine wiring
This kind of industrial wiring design must be able to cure many OCD patients, right?
(6) Multimedia broadcasting system
The GENMA MHC driver’s cab is equipped with a multimedia broadcasting system, so that the driver can relay various information to the outside of the machine at any time.
The driver’s cab is designed with soundproof glass to create a quiet working environment in the room, and it is also equipped with a high-quality audio system, a first-aid kit, etc. These small details are all manifestations of GENMA’s industrial design concept.
That’s all. There are many core design technologies in the most superficial design of GENMA MHC, which can be seen from the current 30 patents related to MHC.
The essence of excellent industrial design is to make products better, more practical and more durable. In this sense, the industrial design of the GENMA MHC is undoubtedly outstanding.
