Abstract: A packaging container for an elongate object has a base and a protective sleeve to be pushed in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the protective sleeve onto the base. The protective sleeve can be secured at the base. The base has a receptacle for an end of an elongate object and the protective sleeve covers an elongate object received in the receptacle. The packaging container has a primary part of a first external coupling device and the primary part is detachably connectable to a secondary part of a second external coupling device that is provided on a further packaging container.

Abstract: A method for shipping live plants that require illumination during shipping including steps of selecting an illuminated shipping container that includes a lower pot configured to hold soil and a plant, and an upper lid with pendent side wall and an upper closed end made of material that allows light from an illuminating light source attached to its upper closed end. Soil is placed into the lower pot and a light requiring plant in embedded in the soil with the stem, branches, and leaves extending above the soil. Next, an elastic seal is places around the stem of the plant and pressed against the soil to hold the soil in the pot during shipment. Next, the lower edge of the upper lid is attached to the upper edge of the lower pot. A tamper resistant indicator then disposed between the pot and lid. Next, the illuminating source is activated. The shipping container containing the plant is then shipped to the desired destination.

Abstract: A container for food or beverage preparation has walls defining at least one compartment adapted for containing at least one precursor ingredient, the walls including at least one fluid connection portion for fluidly coupling to a cooperating fluid connection portion of a food or beverage preparation machine having at least one source of a fluid mixing ingredient, whereby a food or beverage product is prepared within the compartment by mixing the mixing ingredient with the precursor ingredient. The container further includes at least one food or beverage delivery wall, and the container includes built-in pump means suitable for pumping the mixing ingredient from the source when the container is fluidly connected to the machine and for generating a fluid circulation within the at least one compartment, such that a food or beverage product is prepared and expelled through the delivery wall.

Abstract: A liner L has a liner body 11 with a front wall 12, rear wall 16, bottom wall 13, a top wall 14. The top wall also includes a tubular excess liner material or chute 19 located close to the rear wall and which includes a filling fitment 20 with a fitment cap 21. The liner also has a cylindrical, hose content inlet/outlet port or bottom fitment 23. The liner may include a gap-filler or filler strip 70 of foam material extending outwardly from a position closely adjacent the outlet fitment. The filler strip is mounted to the front wall directly over and closely adjacent the outlet fitment. The filler strip may taper so that at least a majority of the strip's longitudinal length or height so as to increase in its lateral width as it approaches the outlet fitment, thereby increasing the material volume of strip material.

Abstract: A shipper bag having at least one fluid chamber to facilitate fluid-assisted container evacuation from a product discharge zone of a product chamber. The product chamber is formed by at least one inner ply, and the least one fluid chamber disposed between the at least one inner ply and at least one second ply. The at least one fluid chamber has at least one seam connecting the at least one inner ply to the at least one second ply such that, when in the inflated state, the at least one seam comprises a first seam that extends from a location proximate the product discharge zone to a location proximate a location opposite the discharge zone. The bag may have two or more fluid compartments.

Abstract: A lightweight shipping container includes two parallel side walls each having a top rail and secured on the opposite side to bottom rails of a floor frame, both bottom rails being coupled to one another by a floor, which is secured to and resting on a multiplicity of cross-beam members of the floor frame. A front end assembly is secured to one end of the top and bottom side rails and a door end assembly opposite the front end assembly is secured to an opposite end of the top and bottom side rails. The container further includes a roof secured to respective ones of the top rails of each of the two side walls. The floor includes a metallic cellular sandwich panel formed by a frame defining an interior portion of the panel and including a metallic cellular core of a multiplicity of metallic polygonal cells, and a skin covering both the frame and the metallic cellular core.

Abstract: Specially-designed rack and plastic bag, and methods of use. The bag is mounted on the rack with a lower portion of the bag disposed inwardly and downwardly of the top of the rack, and an upper portion of the bag disposed outwardly and downwardly of the top of the rack. Workers place thin-section waste material into the bag. When the bag is full, the bag is replaced with an empty bag. The bag has holes, which enable air to escape through bag side walls while the bag is being compressed in a baler. Because air escapes through the side walls, more of the air can be removed for a given baler compaction force thereby the resulting bale weighs about 10% to about 25%, or greater, more than a bale made with the same materials and the same baler conditions, without use of the rack and bags of the invention.

Abstract: A waterproof induction container includes a container body and an induction actuated container cover. The container body includes a storage cavity and a container opening. The induction actuated container cover includes a control housing, a cover panel, and an automatic driving arrangement. The control housing has a side concealed compartment and a cover opening. The cover panel is pivotally mounted to the control housing to pivotally move between a closed position and an opened position. The automatic driving arrangement is concealed in the side concealed compartment of the control housing in a waterproof manner to prevent any contamination of the automatic driving arrangement by moisture, corrosive gas, and trash residuals.

Abstract: An object handling and retrieving system and method are described. A storage system is described suitable for storing multiple product lines in an automated warehouse environment. The storage system includes a plurality of load handling devices disposed above a frame and independently moveable to access different stacks. The load handling device can retrieve and transport a target container to a sequencing and temporary storage portion having a sorting frame for taking delivery of the target container and moving it to an output port of the sorting frame.

Abstract: A storage system having crash barriers is described. The crash barriers are mounted on separate structures, the structures being mounted adjacent the storage system. The separate structures include tracks such that robotic load handling devices operating on the storage system may over run without causing damage to the main part of the storage system.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system is provided and includes a transfer deck having a longitudinal axis, a first storage section and a second storage section. The first storage section and second storage section are located on opposite sides of the transfer deck and are substantially symmetrically opposed to one another about the longitudinal axis, where each of the first and second storage sections includes storage aisles that are in communication with the transfer deck.

Abstract: An order picking system includes an automatic guided trolley for picking objects for an order in at least one shelving and having at least two running wheels and gear wheel supports cooperating with two pairs of uprights so as to allow the trolley to rise along the uprights. A stretched roller chain is fixed on each of the uprights, the chain extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upright to which it is fixed to receive a tooth of the gear wheel cooperating with the upright to which it is fixed. Two adjacent rollers of the chain are spaced apart by the pitch value of the gear wheel. Each movable support has a securing element with one of the four uprights to maintain a predetermined distance between the axis of the gear wheel mounted on the movable support and the chain receiving the teeth of the gear wheel.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to coordinating warehouses and supply chains are provided. Respective first and second estimated times of arrival at a loading dock of a warehouse are determined for respective first and second vehicles, where the first estimated arrival time is before the second estimated arrival time. A pallet arrangement at the loading dock is determined that includes a first pallet for the first vehicle and a second pallet for the second vehicle, where the first pallet is closer to the loading dock than the second pallet. The first estimated arrival time later changes to be after the second estimated arrival time. After the first estimated arrival time changes to be after the second estimated arrival time, a robot is instructed to modify the arrangement so that the second pallet is closer to the loading dock than the first pallet before the second estimated arrival time.

Abstract: A quality control system includes a control device, an output device, and an input device placed at at least an end point of a distribution channel of articles; the input device includes an input unit for receiving data on a changed environment portion and a communication unit that transmits the data, information about an input location, and an input time to the control device. The control device includes a storage unit for storing the mode of packing of the articles in the distribution channel, a reception unit for receiving the information from the input device, an arithmetic operation unit that calculates the number of articles deviating from the storage environment and estimates the stage of the distribution channel deviating from the storage environment, and a transmission unit for transmitting calculation result to the output device that is provided with a display unit.

Abstract: A conveyor used with a harvester such as a wind rower has a chute at its discharge end with a deflection surface which controls the throw trajectory and thus the throw range of crop being cut. The orientation angle of the deflection surface relatively to the conveyor may be varied as a function of the particular crop throw characteristics to change the throw range of the conveyor as needed to form merged windrows of a particular crop while avoiding windrow widths which are too wide for efficient harvesting.

Abstract: A linking system adapted to link a plurality of products comprises a supply device having a tray with a slide slot adapted to load a first row of products therein, a gripping device having a gripper adapted to grip the first row of products and a moving mechanism adapted to move the gripper, and a holder adapted to hold the first row of products. The gripping device is adapted to move the first row of products from the supply device to a holding position on the holder and the holder is adapted to hold the first row of products at the holding position. The gripping device is further adapted to grip a second row of products from the supply device and link the second row of products to the first row of products held by the holder.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a conveying system for conveying an item to be conveyed. The conveying system comprises a conveying track which comprises a conveying surface on which the item to be conveyed is placeable, wherein the conveying track comprises a coupling surface formed adjacent to the conveying surface, wherein the coupling surface comprises a first coupling profile. The conveying system further comprises at least one conveying drive for driving and/or braking the conveying track, wherein the conveying drive comprises a second coupling profile. The first coupling profile is coupled with the second coupling profile in such a way that the conveying drive is coupled with the conveying track in an interlocking manner for transferring a conveying force.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a buffer device and a method for buffering piece goods, in particular containers, bottles or packages, with a buffer area, a feed device for supplying piece goods to the buffer area, a discharge device for discharging piece goods from the buffer area. The device additionally comprises several circulating, independently drivable row pushers which can transport the piece goods in the direction of transport through the buffer area.

Abstract: A method for transporting manufactured products from a first production machine to a second production machine via a conveying apparatus comprises receiving, at one end of the conveying apparatus, manufactured products produced by the first production machine. The manufactured products are transported at a speed of the conveying apparatus. The manufactured products are spaced apart from each other along the conveying apparatus such that an empty space is created between each manufactured product. The first production machine is stopped in response to a stoppage of the second production machine and the conveying apparatus is actuated to a second operating state that is configured to allow a manufactured product last output by the first production machine prior to the stop to be received by the conveying apparatus in the empty space nearest to the first production machine. The conveying apparatus is then stopped.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein relate to a flipper table for manipulating an item from a first orientation to a second orientation. The flipper table includes a body rotatable about an axis. The body includes an end configured to be mechanically attached to an actuation unit. In this regard, upon an actuation of the actuation unit, the body is configured to manipulate the item. The body further defines a top surface configured to support the item positioned thereon. The body also defines at least one tab disposed on the flipper table and configured to extend relative to the top surface. Furthermore, the body of the flipper table defines one or more suction cups disposed on the top surface of the body where the one or more suction cups are configured to engage to a surface of the item positioned on the top surface.

Abstract: The system and method for sorting products include a device comprising a frame, carriers for products, pusher members which are displaceable along a carrier, guide means with a guiding member for guiding the pusher member in a conveying direction during transportation of the carriers in order to move it in a length direction of the carrier, for the purpose of laterally moving a product off the supporting surface at a discharge location, a presorting switch device with a presorting switch member in order, in an active presorting position, to move or keep the pusher member to or in a second transverse position, a switchable switch device with a switch member in order, in an active position, to move the pusher member in such a way that the guide member is subsequently guided by the guiding member.

Abstract: Articles of laundry, such as towels, of different sizes are sorted. The articles are clamped from a jumble. The clamp moves upward for sensing a size. For sorting, different size articles are blown to different tracks, such as different conveyors. The articles, resting on the conveyors, are conveyed to different exits for the different sizes.

Abstract: A paddle bracket with superior durability and a grain elevator chain including such a paddle bracket are disclosed. The paddle brackets are used to connect paddles for moving the grain to the chain. Each paddle bracket has a brace portion for giving additional support to the intermediate portion of the bracket between the portion of the paddle bracket that connects to the other links in the chain and that portion of the paddle bracket that attaches to the paddle. An austempering process for forming a bainitic microstructure in the paddle bracket to further enhance the strength of the paddle bracket is also disclosed.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes: a source lane configured to move a first die container between a load port and a source lane staging area; an inspection sensor configured to produce a sensor result based on a die on the first die container; a pass target lane configured to move a second die container between a pass target lane out port and a pass target lane staging area; a fail target lane configured to move a third die container between a fail target lane out port and a fail target lane staging area; and a conveyor configured to move the die from the first die container at the source lane staging area to either the second die container at the pass target lane staging area or the fail target lane staging area based on the sensor result.

Abstract: A tubular or cylindrical unit that creates a vortex effect with externally supplied pressurized fluid injected angularly within a transport structure is provided. Such a unit is utilized to either accelerate the vacuum and/or air conveyance of liquids, solid aggregates, and gases, reduce the energy required for such materials transport processes, or both. Such a result is achieved through the introduction of pressurized fluid via a plurality of injectors situated evenly around the circumference of the subject tube, pipe, and/or cylinder, and angled uniformly for an even pressure injection of fluid within the conveyance component thereof. In effect, through such injection of pressurized fluid, the overall transport system may be operated at significantly reduced cost while increasing the efficiency of overall vacuum and air conveyance systems simultaneously. The method of utilization of such a device is also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an applicator having an agricultural product conveying system which transfers particulate material from one or more source containers to application equipment on demand, and meters the material at the application equipment. The conveying system includes an inline metering system including a number of metering devices associated with each compartment of a particulate material tank on the applicator to meter the particulate material disposed within each compartment. The individual metering devices include gates to initially enable the particulate material from a compartment to enter the metering device, and a rotary metering shaft to meter the flow of the particulate material into the conduits while limiting the passage of pressurized air through the metering device and into the compartment.

Abstract: Apparatuses for precision loading of packages for last-mile autonomous delivery are provided herein. An example apparatus includes a base; a platform rotatably supported on the base, the platform comprising at least one slot; an armature configured to protrude through the at least one slot when the at least one slot has been aligned with the armature through rotation of the base; a translating member that is configured to traverse above and across an upper surface of the platform; and a controller having at least one processor coupled to at least one memory, the controller being configured to place a package on the platform into a selected orientation through selective control of at least one of rotation of the platform, extension of the armature, translation of the translating member, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.

Abstract: A process is for the maintenance of a belt conveyor, which includes a longitudinal conveyor belt and a number of support stations for the conveyor belt distributed along the conveyor belt. Each support station includes a cradle on which the conveyor belt rests. The process includes inserting an inflatable pad in a deflated state below the conveyor belt, in a lifting position near one of the support stations, inflating the inflatable pad to an inflated state in which the conveyor belt rests directly on the inflatable pad and no longer rests on the cradle of the support station, performing a maintenance operation on the support station, and deflating the inflatable pad to its deflated state.

Abstract: An elastic body portion includes an inner circumferential portion and an outer circumferential portion which serves as an outer circumferential side with respect to the inner circumferential portion and a space portion between the inner circumferential portion and the outer circumferential portion, and a plurality of joining portions which join the inner circumferential portion and the outer circumferential portion to each other in the space portion, in which at least a portion of each of the joining portions has a curved shape, and in which the joining portions are each joined to the inner circumferential portion and the outer circumferential portion such that connecting portions between the joining portions and the inner circumferential portion and connecting portions between the joining portions and the outer circumferential portion do not form acute angles in the space portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a corrugated paperboard box making machine which comprises a sheet feeding apparatus, a processing apparatus, a folder-gluer, a counter-ejector for stacking the box-structured corrugated paperboard sheets and separating them as a batch, a speed setting unit for setting a sheet feeding speed, and a control apparatus. The control apparatus is operable to execute a sheet feeding control processing of the sheet feeding apparatus such that a sheet feeding operation of feeding one corrugated paperboard sheet is successively repeated a number of times corresponding to the number of the given number of box-structured corrugated paperboard sheets in the batch, and a sheet feeding stop control processing of, when the sheet feeding speed is greater than an allowable speed, the sheet feeding apparatus such that the sheet feeding operation is stopped at least once after execution of the sheet feeding control processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of threading a fibrous web (W) onto a circular cylindrical object (3, 19) in a reel-up (2) for a paper-making machine (1). The reel-up (2) comprises an endless flexible belt (6) mounted for rotation along a predetermined path of travel. The endless flexible belt (6) is positioned adjacent the circular cylindrical object (3, 19) during winding and the fibrous web (W) residing on the outside surface (8) to engage the circular cylindrical object (3, 19) during winding such that the endless flexible belt (6) is deflected from the predetermined path of travel. When a fibrous web (W) is to be threaded onto the circular cylindrical object (3, 19), the circular cylindrical object (3, 19) is placed at a distance from the endless flexible belt (6) such that the endless flexible belt (6) is no longer deflected from the its path of travel.

Abstract: An unwinding assembly comprising first and second unwinding and handling units comprising respective robots having respective wrists movable under the control of at least one electronic control unit, wherein each of said unwinding and handling units comprises a respective unwinding device mounted on the wrist of the respective robot. The present invention also relates to an unwinding and handling unit capable of handling the reel carried by it with high freedom of movement, while maintaining small dimensions.

Abstract: A media registration system including an accumulation region and a transport track to receive and transport each media sheet of a series of media sheets forming a media job in a transport direction from an intake end to a registration end proximate to the accumulation region, and to stack the media sheets of the media job in the accumulation region to form a job stack. A translator adjusts a position of the registration end of the transport track in a direction lateral to the transport direction for each sheet to align edges of each sheet of the job stack in the lateral direction. A media sensor indicates a position of each sheet along the media path to facilitate a controller to determine an accumulation status of the job stack.

Abstract: A controller of a sheet stacking device executes tray elevating processing and sheet stacking processing. The tray elevating processing is processing in which when a sensor detects an uppermost sheet, the controller once lowers a stacking tray, and lifts the stacking tray until the sensor detects the uppermost sheet. The sheet stacking processing is processing in which the controller arranges a guide arm at an advanced position to guide the sheet, arranges the guide arm at a retracted position before a rear end of the sheet passes the sheet discharge portion, and stacks the sheet on the stacking tray after the rear end of the sheet passes the sheet discharge portion. The controller executes the tray elevating processing in a state where the guide arm is disposed at the advanced position during the execution of the sheet stacking processing.

Abstract: A reel includes a first flange, a second flange, and a plurality of segmented structures each including a plurality of links pivotably coupled to a bracket of the first flange by a first end pivot rod and to the a bracket of the second flange by a second end pivot rod. The plurality of links is configured to have a first stable arrangement and a second stable arrangement different from the first stable arrangement. In the first stable arrangement, the first flange and the second flange are separated by a first distance with the reel being configured to support a first maximum load of cable, while in the second stable arrangement, the first flange and the second flange are separated by a second distance less than the first distance with the reel being configured to support a second maximum load of cable less than the first maximum load of cable.

Abstract: A coil deployment system and one or more methods of manipulating a coil deployment system, is provided. The coil deployment system has a trailer frame of one or more frame components including a pair of support brackets, a first pair of lower support arms, a second pair of lower support arms, a first pair of upper support arms, and a second pair of upper support arms. The trailer frame is adjustable such that the width and height of the trailer can be adjusted to manipulate and accommodate various sizes of coil drums of spoolable pipe deploy, collect, transport or store the spoolable pipe.

Abstract: An elevator system includes at least one elevator car, and an elevator drive system configured to drive the elevator car in a first direction and a second opposing direction based on at least one drive command signal. The elevator system further includes an electronic elevator control module that determines a first servicing route and a second servicing route. The first servicing route services a first floor located along the first direction in response to at least one first call request. The second servicing route overrides the first servicing route so as to dynamically service at least one second floor located along the second direction based on a comparison between at least one parameter of the at least one elevator car and at least one interrupt criteria.

Abstract: Elevator control system including an elevator car, an elevator controller, and an occupancy detection system configured to detect an occupancy level within the elevator car, the occupancy detection system comprising at least one camera. The elevator controller and the occupancy detection system are configured control the elevator car to prevent additional passengers from entering the elevator car when the occupancy detection system detects an occupancy level above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of operating an elevator system is provided. The method includes powering, using a battery, the elevator system when an external power source is unavailable. The method also includes controlling, using a controller, a plurality of components of the elevator system. The controlling comprises operating at least one of the battery, an elevator car, a drive unit, and a brake. The method further includes determining, using the controller, a run profile of the elevator car in response to a selected deceleration. The method yet further includes operating, using the controller, the elevator car in response to the run profile determined, and determining, using the controller, an actual velocity of the elevator car.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to an elevator display system which provides the illusion of observing a visual narrative of an elevator trip which is made to appear as if the actual elevator has glass walls and one is observing a fanciful elevator trip. The elevator can have a variety of different fanciful rides which are not restricted by the constraints of time, location or physics.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a conveyance apparatus within a conveyance system including: detecting a first atmospheric air pressure within the conveyance system proximate the conveyance apparatus; detecting a second atmospheric air pressure within the conveyance system proximate the conveyance apparatus; determining a change in atmospheric air pressure proximate the conveyance apparatus in response to the first atmospheric air pressure and the second atmospheric air pressure within the conveyance system; and determining at least one of a location of the conveyance apparatus and a direction of motion of the conveyance apparatus within the conveyance system in response to at least the first atmospheric air pressure and the second atmospheric air pressure.

Abstract: Elevator systems are described that include a traveling component movable along a guide rail and an overspeed safety system. The safety system includes a safety brake connected to an electromechanical actuator. A safety brake element of the safety brake is operable to engage with the guide rail to stop the traveling component. The electromechanical actuator includes a frame, a first magnetic element operably connected to the safety brake, a second magnetic element movably attached to the frame, and a third magnetic element fixedly attached to the frame. The second magnetic element is movable to urge the first magnetic element from a first position toward a second position. In the second position, the first magnetic element is located proximate the third magnetic element. As the first magnetic element transitions from the first position to the second position, the safety brake element is actuated into engagement with the guide rail.

Abstract: Elevator landing door lock assemblies and elevator landing doors having a lock with a keyway accessible from a landing of an elevator system, the lock operable to lock and unlock a landing door and a disengageable link operably connected to the lock and configured to prevent unlocking of the landing door when the disengageable link is not engaged. When an elevator car is aligned with the landing door, the disengageble link is engaged and completed such that the lock is operable to unlock and open the landing door, and, when an elevator car is not aligned with the landing door, the lock is not operable.

Abstract: A unitized segmented sheave assembly is provided. The unitized segmented sleeve assembly includes sheaves arrayed in a side-to-side formation and respectively comprising bearings and an exterior running surface and spacers interleaved between neighboring sheaves. Respective inner races of the bearings of each sheave and respective interior portions of each spacer cooperatively form an interior annular surface. The unitized segmented sheave assembly further includes a sleeve disposable in abutment with the interior annular surface.

Abstract: A hook assembly comprises a hook member and a pin assembly. The hook member defines a base portion, a hook, and first and second pin arms. The hook extends from the base portion and defines a first, second, third, and fourth hook portions and a hook opening. First and second lock projections extend from the second hook portion and fourth hook portions to define a lock gap. The hook opening has a first hook opening dimension extending between the second hook portion and the fourth hook portion and a second opening dimension extending between the third hook portion and the lock gap. The first and second pin arms extend from the base portion. The pin assembly engages the first and second pin arms. The first rope segment engages the pin assembly and the second rope segment engages the third hook portion to place the hook assembly under tension.

Abstract: In an overhead transport vehicle, an elevator includes shock absorbers attached to belts, and a base including a holder. The shock absorbers each include a support below the base. The base is vertically movable with respect to each of the supports with vibration isolators. The shock absorbers are connected by a link that operates to ensure similarity of respective distances between the base and the support connected to each other in each of the shock absorbers.

Abstract: A load control apparatus and method for controlling movement of a suspended load is disclosed. The load control apparatus includes: a base for attachment to or forming part of a load; a support element pivotally secured to and extending from the base for receiving and/or connecting to a lift line; and actuation means connected to the support element and to the base at respective positions which are spaced from the pivotal connection between the support element and the base such that actuation, in use, of the actuation means causes the base to pivot relative to the support element.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a lift system for a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The lift system includes a lifting device having at least one cradle. The cradle has a profile that corresponds to at least one of the exterior surfaces of the rotor blade so as to support at least a portion of the rotor blade. Further, the lift system includes a positioning assembly having at least one distance sensor mounted to the hub and at least one visual sensor mounted to the lifting device. Thus, the distance sensor is configured to identify a distance from the hub to the lifting device and the visual sensor is configured to identify a position of the rotor blade in the cradle.

Abstract: A method for controlling a crane component of a tower crane in proximity of obstacles at a worksite by defining a forbidden volume is disclosed. In the method a distance from the crane component to an outer surface of the forbidden volume is determined and a computing device limits movement of the crane component based on the distance from the crane component to the outer surface of the forbidden volume to avoid entering the forbidden volume with the crane component while the crane is in operation. The crane component is one or more of a boom and a hook block.