Overview
A Cedar Falls, Iowa, manufacturer needed an overhead lifting system for use inside a paint booth. However, the available space created significant design constraints.
The crane needed to fit within the booth while preserving as much vertical lifting space as possible. In addition, the application required materials and components appropriate for the paint booth environment.
AFE Crane developed a custom freestanding workstation crane for the application. The system included a double-girder bridge, low-headroom components, and a 2-ton CM Budgit air hoist.
Project Challenges
Limited space was the primary challenge. The workstation crane had to fit within the existing paint booth without reducing the lifting area more than necessary.
Headroom was especially important because the customer needed to handle large and heavy parts. Therefore, the bridge and hoist arrangement had to make efficient use of the available vertical space.
The paint booth environment created another design consideration. The customer required spark-resistant materials and components for the lifting system.
Finally, the crane needed to support a 2-ton air hoist while fitting within the booth and integrating into the customer’s existing operation.
The AFE Crane Solution
AFE Crane designed a custom freestanding workstation crane system using Unified workstation rail for both the runway and bridge.
The system used a double-girder bridge with low-headroom end trucks and a low-headroom hoist carrier. This configuration positioned the hoist within the bridge girders. As a result, the crane used less vertical space than a more conventional arrangement.
AFE Crane also selected spark-resistant materials and components for the paint booth application.
A 2-ton CM Budgit air hoist provided the required lifting capacity. The air-powered hoist also fit the operating requirements of the paint booth system.
Project Execution
AFE Crane supported the project from initial concept through installation.
Applications and Product Engineering developed the custom crane configuration around the booth dimensions, headroom, lifting capacity, and operating environment.
AFE Crane then fabricated the required components locally and completed the onsite installation. The project also included system startup and load testing before the crane entered service.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates how a low-headroom workstation crane can provide overhead lifting capability in a confined manufacturing space.
The paint booth application required more than simply selecting a crane with the correct capacity. AFE Crane also had to account for limited vertical clearance, the operating environment, and the need for spark-resistant components.
The final system combined a freestanding workstation crane, double-girder bridge, low-headroom trolley arrangement, and 2-ton air hoist. Together, these features allowed the lifting system to fit within the existing paint booth while meeting the application’s lifting requirements.
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Contact AFE Crane
If your facility needs overhead lifting equipment for a confined production area or specialized operating environment, AFE Crane can help. Our engineering team can evaluate available space, required capacity, headroom, equipment layout, and environmental requirements.
Whether your application requires a workstation crane, low-headroom hoist arrangement, air hoist, or another custom lifting system, AFE Crane provides engineering, fabrication, installation, startup, and long-term support.
Contact AFE Crane to discuss your next workstation crane project.