An industrial gantry crane is a crane that is supported by standing legs that might be fixed or movable. Gantry cranes are flexible in design because they do not need to be mounted on the support structures of buildings or industries. Therefore, the cranes eliminate the need to construct end tracks for supporting their girder beams. The legs of industrial gantry cranes can be fixed on the ground, they can move on rollers or wheels, or they can be constructed along a rail system. Smaller gantry cranes can be used under bridge cranes to transfer loads from one location to another.
Main Types of Industrial Gantry Cranes
There are different types of gantry cranes depending on the design of the supporting legs and the overall configuration of the crane design.
1. Full Gantry Cranes
These are the most common designs of the gantry cranes. The cranes are composed of two supporting legs that ride on a rail. The cranes run along straight lines in designated work areas. These cranes are advantageous because other industrial machines such as forklifts can operate under them comfortably.
2. Adjustable Gantry Cranes
These gantry cranes have been designed with heights and spans that can be adjusted. The feature helps the crane operators alter the spans and heights of these cranes to meet the requirements of the activities at hand. The adjustability of the cranes allows them to be used in many locations in the same industry.
3. Portable Gantry Cranes
These gantry cranes are used in industries to perform lightweight duties such as carrying generators and small transformers to the storage stores or to other locations. Another striking advantage of these cranes is that they are stable and rigid.
4. Semi-Gantry Industrial Cranes
These cranes are composed of one supporting leg. The other end of the crane is mounted on the end truck runway system that is connected to the support structure of a building. These cranes are cheaper and more flexible than the bridge cranes because they only require one runway system.
5. Single and Double Girder Cranes
A single girder gantry crane has one beam and is used for light-duty applications in industries and manufacturing plants. On the other hand, a double-girder gantry crane is composed of two girder beams and is used for heavy-duty industrial applications.
Essential Components of Industrial Gantry Cranes
1. Motors- Motors are used to provide the mechanical force that is required to move loads up and down. Motors also provide the force that moves the girders along end trucks.
2. Control Systems- Control systems are composed of braking systems, acceleration systems, and security systems that ensure that the crane performs the intended operations effectively and efficiently.
3. Electrical Systems- These systems are used to provide power for energizing the motors and for powering the control systems. Electrical systems are also composed of sensors that monitor the weight of loads, speed of motors, and efficiency of the crane.
4. Mechanical Systems- These systems ensure that the cranes are well reinforced with robust materials that will not break down under intense loading conditions.
5. Emergency Systems- These systems ensure that the crane operations are brought to a complete stop in case of electrical or mechanical failures.
Applications of Gantry Cranes
Gantry cranes are used in the following areas:
1. In manufacturing industries.
2. In ports for loading/offloading activities.
3. In construction sites to hoist heavy construction materials.
4. In scrap metal industries.
5. In aircraft and shipbuilding industries.
Advantages/ Benefits of Gantry Cranes
– Gantry cranes are flexible and can be used for both indoor use and outdoor applications.
– Industrial gantry cranes can be assembled and dismantled quickly.
– Some gantry cranes have customizable heights and spans that make them useful in most industrial applications.
– Most gantry cranes are mobile and can be moved from one point to another in the industrial setup.
– Gantry cranes are cheaper to install than overhead bridge cranes.
Working Principle of Industrial Gantry Cranes
The working principle of gantry cranes is similar to that of overhead cranes only that the supporting structures are mobile. Most gantry cranes are not mounted on supporting structures of buildings because they have standing legs that support motors and the hoisting systems.
Precautions While Working With Industrial Gantry Cranes
1. All the electrical, mechanical, and security systems of the crane should be inspected before operation of the crane.
2. Adjacent gantry cranes should have enough clearance from one another to avoid accidents.
3. Operators should not overload the industrial gantry cranes to avoid mechanical breakdowns.
4. Periodic maintenance should be conducted on the crane to ensure effective working of the electrical, mechanical, and emergency systems.
5. Only trained and certified operators should be authorized to work with the gantry cranes.
Leading Manufacturers of Industrial Gantry Cranes
1. JASO Industrial Crane Manufacturers
2. Konecranes Manufacturers
3. Demag Overhead manufacturers
4. ABUS Crane Systems Manufacturers
5. CMAK Crane Manufacturers
Gantry cranes are essential in the industrial setup because they are portable, occupy smaller spaces than most overhead cranes, and are cheaper and more affordable.