Modern Materials Handling - April 2010

Free-standing workstation cranegives machine shop flexibilityAFTER RELOCATING TO A NEW FACILITY, Just In TimeCNC Machining (JIT) needed a flexible lifting system tomeet growing production needs. The company handlesparts in a range of sizes and weights, from large productionruns to smaller runs or prototypes.The facility, which the company leased, provided multiplechallenges: high ceilings, multiple columns, CNCmachines and loading bays. Due to the layout of the facility,the goal was to install one crane system to serviceseveral CNC machines.Ultimately the company purchased a free-standingworkstation crane with three, 23-foot long, 1,000 poundaluminum bridges (Gorbel, 800-821-0086, www.gorbel.com). System supports were staggered to allow 124-footrunways to cover the length of the building and remaincentered over each of the machines and work bays. Extralong headers help the positioning of the support columns.“It’s great having the multiple bridges, because if oneis busy, we’ve still got two available, and you’re not waitingon someone to finish,” says Jim Alexander, owner ofJIT. “The workers really liked the system since day one.Productivity is very good, and we haven’t had any liftinginjuries.”deceleration of the hoist and even step-less control, similarto the gas pedal on a car,” Paxton says. “The more you pushon the button, the faster you go, and as you let up, the sloweryou go. That gives the operator improved control for spottingand positioning.” This functionality results in improvedproductivity.A bigger trend in 5-ton and above cranes, says Paxton, isthe integration of smart controls to enhance safety and reducedowntime. “These controls monitor the hoist, store informationincluding warnings and error codes, and allow the datato be retrieved. By monitoring the load spectrum, users knowhow the hoist is being used and can schedule maintenance asneeded, both predictive and preventive.” This also improves