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| Cranes for flexible manufacturing  Optimum material flow is crucial in modern manufacturing. At their newly relocated Mechanical Drives division of Industry Automation and Drive Technologies in Leeds, Siemens called on Street Crane Company for a variety of cranes to meet their different handling needs. Street Crane managing director Andrew Pimblett noted, "Manufacturers like Siemens are seeking more flexible and comprehensive answers to their handling needs to maximise productivity and return on capital investment. Overhead cranes are still the best way to give whole bay access. However, where there is a need for high frequency transfers at the lower end of the lifting range, then the Street Crane light crane system complements overhead and gantry cranes for maximum efficiency."The Siemens Leeds manufacturing site produces drives and power transmission components for industry. These include geared motors, couplings, gear units and drive train assemblies with a comprehensive service and repair facility. Manufacturing processes involve component handling, assembly and advancing product through key stages until final test and shipping. In the high volume manufacturing cells, where light assembly takes place, six one-tonne Street Crane light crane systems, with up to six metre span, have been installed. These incorporate the latest LX chain hoists from Street Crane for safe, adaptable lifting of lighter loads. The light crane systems uses roll formed light steel profile sections to create crane tracks and beams that have both rigidity and a high strength to weight ratio. Light crane tracks can be attached easily to existing building structures and impose little additional load. This option was not available at Leeds, so the installation is supported by floor standing gantries that were supplied as part of the Street Crane package. The light crane systems give complete access to the work area with full vertical movement and full movement in the horizontal plane. These systems were built to handle one tonne safe working load but light cranes are available for loads of up to two tonnes. In the adjoining projects and service bay heavier lifts are demanded and Street Crane has installed three semi Goliath cranes without rails. These units ensure high crane availability so that work can be progressed without waiting for a crane. All these cranes have a safe working load of 12.5 tonnes. Two semi Goliath cranes operate together on one side of the bay. Each can service the full length of the bay but with an anti collision system installed to prevent accidental contact when operating independently. The need for extensive and disruptive civil engineering work to install floor rails has been avoided by using polyurethane tyred wheels at the leg end of the cranes. The heavy assembly workshop is also serviced by a new 25 tonne double girder overhead crane spanning the full 24.5 metre width of the bay. This has two Street Crane ZX hoists of 12.5 tonnes to provide maximum flexibility. The ZX hoist has an open barrel design to give true vertical lift, protecting the load from sideways pull and potential damage. The ZX hoists can operate in tandem to give additional security in handling large or difficult loads. Inverter control on all motions ensures that load drag and swing are virtually eliminated giving still greater load stability. Control by a remote radio control device, allows the crane operator to work from a position that assures greatest safety and visibility. Heavy assembly areas at the plant are also supported by jib cranes that permit smaller components to be handled efficiently and safely for transfer between processes. This maintains production flow ensuring that capital assets are more effectively deployed. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Construction News :: home page |