A gantry crane uses its own legs for support rather than a beam or other fixture within the facility. Indoor gantry cranes may have a single or multiple girders, with multiple girder models better suited to heavy-duty work. There are four primary styles of gantry crane, each suited to specific applications:
It’s important to choose the right crane for the job. Depending upon your application, you may require a custom gantry crane design. This ensures the crane suits its intended working conditions, facility layout, and load requirements. The following factors impact gantry design:
When determining arm and span length, first consider the size of the work area and the size and weight of the maximum load. This is where gantry crane design begins. Determine how big the crane needs to be, and how much weight it must support or lift reliably.
The operating environment of the crane will determine the ideal materials and finishes used to fabricate its various components. Consider temperature extremes and fluctuations, weather exposure, and harsh operating conditions to help guide the selection of the proper materials and finishing processes.
Indoor cranes typically use fixed axle end trucks because they largely stay in one place. Outdoor cranes may need to move across yards where they can gather dirt and debris that will impact performance. Rotating axle end trucks have fewer parts and use lubrication to block dirt and debris.
Gantry cranes are versatile, cost-effective, and easy to maintain, but they move loads slowly. If speed is a priority within your operation, you may need to consider a different type of crane. Attempting to move a load more quickly than a gantry crane allows could cause an accident or damage the load or equipment.
Cable reels are a common choice for supplying power, as the spring-loaded or motor-driven design can release and retrieve cable as you need it. Mounting the cable reel on a swivel provides an ability to work in multiple directions, but the downside is that the cable will sag when long lengths are in use. This may cause problems for foot and motor traffic on the ground. Custom solutions may include a series of poles and beams designed to keep wires off the ground. For portable gantry cranes, a longer extension cord may be sufficient, or it may be possible to simply position the crane closer to a power source.
Some indoor gantry crane models can lift up to five tons, making them useful in a range of applications such as shipyards, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, forges, and more. Gantry cranes offer versatility and reliability when lifting large and heavy components, raw materials, and heavy finished parts.
Like other heavy equipment, gantry design is based on specific standards for function and safety. These standards cover design, fabrication, material selection, and even painting.
The Operational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers guidelines for the safe operation of gantry cranes. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) provides guidelines for building gantry cranes, as does the American Welding Association (AWS). All cranes must comply with these standards.
When you work with a reputable crane supplier, you can trust your gantry crane design meets all regulations to keep your workplace OSHA compliant and your employees safe. All gantry cranes manufactured or sold by American Crane follow the requirements set forth by these organizations. We also adhere to the stringent quality requirements and standards of the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) in duty classes A through F. We factory test all of our gantry cranes before we ship to the customer.
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