Overhead Cranes in Industry

Overhead cranes are used in a wide variety of industries from the automotive industry to waste water treatment. One of the reasons overhead cranes are used so frequently is because they are effective as well as being relatively safe, as long as safety guidelines are adhered to. What are those guidelines? That begins with the design of the cranes themselves, which is closely regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Next, overhead cranes must meet the specifications of the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Safety Code for Overhead and Gantry Cranes. Once in service, overhead cranes must have an initial inspection before use, then frequent and periodic inspections are conducted to determine extent of wear, deterioration or malfunction on critical components. Additionally, there are specific maintenance requirements that must be met. Not only must the cranes meet stringent safety standards but so must crane operators. OSHA requires specific safety training for all crane operators, especially concerning electrical hazards and proper loading procedures. Read on to discover just how overhead cranes are used throughout various industries.

• Automotive industry. Overhead cranes are used in a number of ways in the automotive industry from engine construction to the construction of the entire vehicle. Cranes are an integral part of the assembly process and are able to function as freestanding tools, capable of lifting several tons.
• Aviation. The construction of airplanes requires lifting large parts on an assembly line. Cranes are used in multiple ways such as trolley transfers from one workplace to another, bridging large building spans, rotating trolleys for best use of available space, turbine maintenance, and for overhauling, maintaining and applying paint finish.
• Concrete product manufacturing. Cranes are used in the concrete pouring process and to manufacture concrete pipe, load prefabricated components, provide precise positioning, and can be used to eliminate the need to balance or rotate panels during the lifting process. Cranes can also be used to handle protective concrete casings for telecommunication equipment.
• General industry. A wide variety of specialized cranes are available for very specific jobs throughout general industry. For instance, a jib crane with a chain hoist and air vacuum device, a double girder crane with a coil handling device and a single girder crane with a sheet lifter are all used to manufacture aluminum structural plates for the highway construction industry. In the manufacture of roll forming equipment, over a dozen structural girder cranes with varying capacities are used as well as five bridge crane runways with varying lengths. A double girder crane featuring box girder construction can be used in a high heat application over a furnace.
• Heavy equipment repair. Cranes can be counted on to do the heavy lifting - even if that heavy lifting is up to 35 tons. Double girder cranes can be used for precise placement of large equipment for heavy duty industrial equipment at rewinding and repair facilities. To help rotate loads, one crane has a 20-ton auxiliary hoist.
• Metal service centers. Thirty-ton cranes are made to handle double shifts of moving large coils as well as for precisely turning and positioning loads. A slightly smaller crane is used for the erection and maintenance of galvanizing furnaces.
• Waste water treatment. A freestanding bridge crane system is perfect for outdoor use, lifting and changing filters at water treatment plants.

Because cranes in the above industries receive such heavy use, it's important to have frequent crane inspection and parts replaced in a timely manner.

About the Author: Thomas M. Bird is a contributing writer and an expert in the use and maintenance of overhead cranes. Bird enjoys pairing the right crane with the right job.

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