15 Jul Manitowoc Cranes Improves Product Safety And Cuts Costs With ANSYS

PITTSBURGH, July 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Manitowoc Cranes, one of the largest providers of lifting equipment for the global construction industry, is maximizing safety and minimizing design and production costs by using ANSYS engineering simulation solutions to validate complete virtual prototypes of its lattice-boom towers and mobile-telescopic cranes.

Manitowoc Cranes has standardized on the ANSYS® simulation platform at its facilities in France, Germany and the United States, replacing a mix of commercial and in-house programs. The company has been using ANSYS solutions in a limited fashion for more than 20 years.

“Standardizing simulation software across the company provides us with a number of significant benefits,” said Craig Kollar, senior manager of engineering, Manitowoc Cranes. “Those advantages include faster integration of multiple design options, the ability to simulate a sequential manufacturing process using load steps, as well as faster and more accurate modeling. We no longer need to depend on hand calculations and internally developed software alone.”

Manitowoc Cranes’ engineers use ANSYS® solutions during the feasibility phase to optimize concepts proposed by designers. They then depend on ANSYS to evaluate critical sub-assemblies for fatigue and static resistance against severe loads. Engineers also use ANSYS simulation to analyze stress and force of welded connections, as well as to measure the integrity of larger crane structures and components such as booms, chassis, turntables and hydraulic cylinders.

“In the world of heavy lifting, safety and quality are of paramount importance. As an industry leader, Manitowoc Cranes understands the importance of delivering the highest quality products at the lowest price for these customer requirements – on time and at a competitive price,” said Brad Hutchinson, global industry director, industrial equipment and rotating machinery at ANSYS. “By using engineering simulation from ANSYS, the company can ensure their safety and quality promises are met.”