Both units have a very quick high end speed that is typically much faster than a typical air or electric hoist. The intelligent hoist has speeds up to 275 fpm in the 150 lb capacity range, while the air balancer top end speed is typically in the 150 fpm range.
Air balancers typically don't come with a posted top end speed because it varies based on air pressure and flow. If your plant air pressure is lower than 100 psi, not only will you not get a good high ends speed, but you will not get the full capacity out of the hoist as well.
Special Features -
The special features on the intelligent hoist is where the money goes when comparing the two products. As the intelligent hoist is typically $7,500 and an air balancer is typically around $2,500, this is where you have a decision to make. As the two features above are somewhat similar, these hoists differ very much when it comes to special features.
1. The air balancer does not really have any special features, and is limited by the ability to set up custom pneumatic controls. While you can make these hoist a little more intelligent by adding these custom control and pressure sensors, they are still subject to the variable of your plant air. So what you see is what you get, a fast hoist, with above average precision at a lower cost.
2. The intelligent hoist is loaded with custom features that can make some lifting applications much easier to perform. The first feature would be float mode. This allows an operator to press a button and make any load virtually weightless. You could handle up to a 165 lb load with just your pinky finger. This is ideal when an operator is loading an expensive or awkward part into a fixture.
The second feature that separates the unit is the ability to set virtual limit. The intelligent hoist allows for an operator to set upper speed reduction points, lower speed reduction points and upper and lower stop points. This allows the operator to utilize the speed of the hoist while not having to worry about product damage at the set down point.
The last feature would be the ability of the hoist to output information. The unit has digital outputs that allow the hoist to tie into an assembly line. These outputs give the customer the ability to track weight lifted, shut down a conveyor and select zones for lifting. Hence, if you can program it, the unit can control it.
So now you know the difference, and you can decide what hoist is right for you.
