Overview
AFE Crane engineered and delivered an innovative telescoping bridge crane solution to address a specialized manufacturing challenge. The customer required a crane system capable of reaching beyond the typical crane runway footprint to access parts and equipment in a tightly configured workstation. This project showcased AFE Crane’s innovative approach, incorporating advanced technology to enhance safety and efficiency in a complex manufacturing environment.
Project Challenges
The primary challenge was designing a crane system that extended beyond the standard runway footprint while maintaining precision, safety, and operational efficiency. The facility’s layout required a solution that allowed for extended reach without interfering with existing structures. Additionally, the system needed to incorporate collision avoidance technology to ensure safe operation in the confined workspace.
The AFE Crane Solution
AFE Crane developed a customized telescoping bridge crane with an Under Hung Single Girder, Motorized Crane, and Motorized Hoist-Trolley. The crane featured a 500 lb capacity and an overall length of 28 feet. The telescoping bridge assembly allowed the hoist-trolley to extend 17 feet beyond the crane’s runway footprint, providing the necessary reach and flexibility. An integrated limit switch system ensured precise and controlled operation. When traveling west, the hoist-trolley moved to its endpoint until a limit switch was triggered, prompting the telescoping bridge to extend fully. On the return to the east, the bridge retracted until it reached its eastern limit switch, after which the hoist-trolley completed its movement.
Project Execution
All crane components were fully assembled and electrically tested at AFE Crane’s state-of-the-art fabrication facility in Cedar Falls, Iowa. This pre-assembly process streamlined on-site installation, ensuring a seamless integration into the customer’s facility. The installation was coordinated with the customer’s team, and AFE Crane conducted final commissioning, including startup, function testing, and load testing to verify system performance.
Conclusion
