Workstation Cranes

Workstation Cranes

A workstation bridge crane is an ergonomic tool used to support manufacturing activities, and can also transport loads from one part of the facility to another. They are the perfect solution to production lines and vastly improve work cell functions. They are designed to lift and move loads in smaller sized work areas, typically lifting materials from less than 100 lbs. up to 5 tons. This reduces your need for an overhead crane, which is optimized for larger loads while a workstation enables a worker to move more loads from one workstation to another.  Workstation bridge cranes allow workers to perform multiple handling tasks with far less risk then allowing workers to move materials by hand. A worker can move heavy components using a hoist manually without holding the weight of the load. The workstation crane allows the operator to stay productive without worrying about the enclosed track system failing. Once installed, a workstation bridge crane can directly move leads either horizontally or backwards and forwards, allowing for a rectangular area of movement in your facility. Another advantage of a workstation crane is that you can set up one nearly anywhere there is a concrete floor that will support the anchor bolts required for assembly.

Types of Workstation Cranes

There are many different types of workstation cranes to choose from, depending on your needs. Your facility may require a select workstation crane because of limitations such as floor space, required lift, required span, required hook travel, and runway. There are many different designs available for our cranes to fit the job!

Free Standing Workstation Bridge Cranes

A free standing workstation bridge crane allows for loads to be moved vertically and horizontally because of a series of tracks, involving either monorails or curves, into the closed system. The Workstation can be installed to the floor by bolting the bridge crane into the building. These cranes are an affordable solution when you need smaller coverage in your facility, and a free standing system requires reinforced concrete of at least 6 inches to be installed. Because it is floor supported, free standing workstation cranes do not put stress on the building. The capacities of a free standing workstation crane ranges from 150 to 4000 lbs. This type of work station crane is different from overhead bridge cranes because the modular design does not rewire a single girder or double girder for the crane.

    Ceiling Mounted Workstation Bridge Cranes

    Ceiling-mounted bridge cranes are the best application when there is limited floor space, or in facilities with mobile equipment. This system has no support structures that obstruct work areas and the supporting structures do not obstruct with the handling operation of your business. We offer ceiling mounted bridge cranes in both steel and aluminum.  By removing the columns, this design allows for more valuable floor space in your facility. Ceiling mounted workstation cranes also require a building with a sufficient overhead structure to maneuver the crane and its loads. Ceiling mounted bridge cranes can be either a single girder because of support columns or double girder bridge cranes for bridges that have a wide variety of applications, such as needing longer spans and loading heavy capacities.

     

    Monorails

    Monorail cranes are push and pull systems that enhance production and create a safer work environment. A monorail workstation crane is ideal for handling linear and overhead materials from one place to another because the product requires repetitive movement within a restricted area. Monorail cranes are highly cost-effective and can be operated manually or electrically operated. A monorail can be ran in enclosed track systems Also, depending on the path the monorail crane has to travel, it can run on a straight path or curved path if required. A monorail can be either semi-automatic or fully automatic systems. Monorails increase worker safety by increasing ergonomics. The suspended load eliminates the physical exertion from the operator and significantly reduces the effort required to push and pull loads along the runway. Monorails safely move loads overhead that are far above floor level and can be used to pick up and drop off loads.

     

    Options and Components

    Workstation cranes have many different options and components that separate them from overhead, jib, and gantry cranes. Because of it’s smaller size, workstation cranes are normally selected by the total load weight and runway or monorail length required. Manufacturers of workstation cranes have different dimensions of the track used and support structures. A workstation crane can be constructed and installed using Steel or Aluminum, both having different advantages and disadvantages for the industrial lifting industry. A steel workstation bridge crane can weigh 2 to 3 times more than aluminum. This significant difference in weight means aluminum workstation cranes have a lower overall weight than steel workstation bridge cranes and can be easier to move around the facility. This lower weight also allows the operation of aluminum cranes to be easier to manually handle than steel. This will increase the lifting needs because a work station is specifically designed for one worker to improve productivity. The easy movement of the aluminum bridge allows for the crane system to move heavy loads side to side. This will certainly have an affect on the overall strength on the crane, steel structures do not deflect like aluminum beams and have higher capacities because of this strength advantage. Deflection, which is a curve in the beam while under load, only occurs in aluminum cranes while steel will remain stiff and level while overloaded. This is why steel workstation cranes can be configured in much larger and longer capacities, heights, and beam lengths. A steel workstation can be available from 0.5 ton to over 10 tons while the greatest aluminum workstation crane has a maximum capacity of 5 tons.  If the installation of a bridge crane needs to run in a assembly line while moving heavy loads, end trucks can be located on either side of the work station crane to house the wheels on and they carry the hoist and crane up and down the crane runway.

    Manufacturers of Workstation Cranes

    Manufacturers of workstation cranes include Spanco, Gorbel, and Demag. These crane company's have a complete line of crane systems, such as jib cranes, gantry cranes, bridge cranes, and other overhead cranes. A work station bridge crane may need overhead space or require a motorized bridge that other cranes such as a gantry crane, do not have. These manufactures produce mixed capacity systems that have a long life span and comply with osha standards. The installation of these crane systems depends on the type of work station, lifting requirements, and rated capacity.

    Spanco Cranes

    • FREESTANDING
    • CEILING-MOUNTED
    • MONORAIL
    • HEADERLESS
    • ALU-TRACK

    Gorbel

    • Free Standing WorkStation Bridge Cranes
    • Ceiling Mounted WorkStation Bridge Cranes
    • Stainless Steel WorkStation Cranes
    • Monorails

    Demag

    Manufacturers of Workstation Cranes Hoists

    Electric Chain Hoist

    Lever Hoist

    Hand Chain Hoist

    Industries using Workstation Cranes

    • Aircraft
    • Automotive
    • Chemicals
    • Construction
    • Food and beverage
    • Machinery and equipment
    • Metal processing
    • Pulp and paper
    • Rubber and plastics
    • Ships and boats
    • Waste management
    • Wood and wood product
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