Automation specialists Kinesys are showing two new products at PLASA 2008 - Libra, a loadcell system and Pulse, a powerful but easy to use pendant controller.

Libra

Libra comes in the form of a Crosby shackle with a load sensing pin. Currently 3.25 tonne and 4.5 tonne versions are offered, both with a 5:1 safety factor. A Libra loadcell can either be connected directly to a Kinesys Elevation 1+ giving feedback about the motor being controlled by the Elevation, or daisy-chained together with other Libras and connected to an interface unit positioned on the floor.

A PC is connected to the interface via USB or Ethernet, and all the loads can be clearly viewed onscreen using Libra's free software. The software package also contains numerous other useful features including the logging of weights, warning and overload settings for both underload and overload, multiple grouping options and the option to select several different views for live load monitoring.

Pulse

Pulse is a pendant controller, designed for use with any Kinesys product. It sits between the basic Rigger hand controller and the full version Vector and K2 software automation packages, working on a Windows CE platform specifically developed for mobile applications. This includes a very simple to use touch-screen interface.

Safety devices include an inbuilt Emergency Stop and a 3-position Enable switch that must be pressed and held down to allow movement.

Kinesys also presents its well known K2, Elevation 1+, Vector and Smart 8 products, and will also be displaying and controlling one of Unusual Rigging's new Revolution winches on the stand.