Magnetic Scale Read Head | Application in a Large Gantry Crane (Dongguan Manufacturer)

Project Background:

A Dongguan gantry crane (large gantry) manufacturer supplies cranes widely used in docks and shipyards for heavy lifting. Their automated systems can programmatically control the crane for material handling. However, customers reported lateral positioning drift over long-term operation, causing positioning errors. To improve lateral accuracy, the customer decided to install a Magnetic Scale Read Head on the crane beam and rail.

Challenges:

Long detection distance: the gantry spans 5–32 m, requiring long-range sensing with strict displacement accuracy.

Harsh environment: outdoor use exposes equipment to wind, sun, and rain, and the moving crane produces significant vibration, requiring robust sensor protection.

Solution:

(Atonm MRR-H500 Read Head + Atonm magnetic tape)

This solution uses the Atonm MRR-H500 read head paired with magnetic tape. The read head mounts in the gap along the crane beam edge while the magnetic tape adheres to the rail. As the read head moves relative to the magnetic tape, the PLC receives real-time position updates.

Compared with other solutions, this Magnetic Scale Read Head offers high precision, fast response, strong stability, and simple operation.