Workstation cranes play a vital role in a wide range of industries, from aerospace to farming to manufacturing. They facilitate the lifting and moving of heavy loads within the workspace, making it easier and safer for workers to position materials and equipment where they need them to perform their tasks. As a result, they help eliminate worker injury, protect products, and boost productivity.
This article provides an overview of workstation cranes, highlighting the types available, the key benefits, and the cranes available at Air Technical Industries.
Types of Workstation Cranes
There are many types of workstation cranes available, each of which offers unique advantages and disadvantages that make them suitable for different work applications. Below, we highlight some of the most commonly used.
Gantry Cranes
A gantry crane—also referred to as a freestanding crane or floor-supported crane—is a type of crane consisting of horizontal girders supported by two or more freestanding legs that rest on the floor of the facility. Unlike bridge and overhead cranes, they do not need to be attached to the building when they are installed. Depending on the needs of the facility, they can be designed as stationary or mobile units. In the case of the latter, they are placed on caster wheels or a fixed rail/track system.
Workstation gantry cranes come in a variety of configurations to suit different lifting requirements and restrictions, such as single-girder or double-girder and cantilevered, single-leg, or double-leg. Typical industrial applications for these systems include machining facilities, parts assembly lines, and truck servicing centers.
Jib Cranes
A jib crane is a type of crane that is designed to be mounted to the wall or floor of the facility. It consists of a cantilever
ed bridge supported by a vertical beam on one end. While the beam is stationary, the bridge can rotate up to 180 degrees or 360 degrees, depending on the crane design. The hoisting element is mounted on a horizontal boom. Together, these components allow the payload to be moved up, down, and across the facility.
Workstation jib cranes can be mounted in several ways. For example, some are mounted to a column, either a freestanding mast or a structural component within the facility. Others are mounted to a facility wall or a runway attached to the wall, which allows for lateral movement.
Overhead Bridge Cranes
An overhead bridge crane is a type of crane designed to be mounted overhead to the columns, frames, or trusses of the building or attached to a freestanding column structure. It features a moving single-beam or double-beam component (i.e., the bridge) that runs across parallel runways. The bridge typically has an attached hoist or another lifting device that travels across it, which allows for a load to be moved up and down and/or side to side. This solution is ideal for unloading and loading operations in rectangular workspaces.
Benefits of Workstation Cranes
There are many benefits to using workstation cranes. For example:
- They increase productivity. Workstation cranes are much easier to move than traditional crane systems, which helps improve productivity within the workspace.
- They improve ease of movement/positioning. Workstation cranes accommodate heavier loads than traditional crane systems, making it easier for workers to move materials where they need them.
- They enhance working conditions. Since workstation cranes easily move and position loads, there is less risk of damage to goods and injury to employees. Additionally, they reduce the number of workers and amount of physical strength needed for material handling operations.
- They facilitate expansion/relocation. Many workstation crane systems feature a modular design that facilitates relocation or expansion when the needs of the facility change.
Workstation Cranes From Air Technical Industries
Looking for quality workstation cranes for your facility? Turn to the experts at Air Technical Industries! We offer a range of standard and custom workstation crane solutions to suit different customer needs. Our product offerings include:
- A-Frame Gantry Cranes
- Floor-Mounted Jib Cranes
- Telescopic Mast Jib Cranes
- Portable Jib Cranes
- Free-standing Overhead Bridge Cranes
Have a unique lifting or handling application challenge? We can help you find the right solution. If you want to learn more about a specific product or pricing details, request a quote.