An Upcoming Revolution In Overhead Handling Equipment



Overhead handling equipment might have been in use for several decades now, but the truth is it is on a continuous evolution. They have evolved in recent times to satisfy three critical goals: safety, efficiency and flexibility. And with these goals in mind, material handling equipment manufacturers are offering end users a wide array of options.

For example, manually operated closed track cranes and intelligent lifting devices are increasingly becoming popular in automation as they have significantly improved efficiency and safety in a way that is cost-effective. Lifting components are now redesigned to offer the end users the flexibility and safety they require while track crane systems can n now transfer loads in ways that are unique, efficient and safer.

Intelligent Lifting Devices Increase Efficiency And Safety

End users are always in the search for more efficient and cost-effective systems to improve their solutions. Nowadays, full automation is now more affordable than it was in previous years while most end users can now access semi-automation.

According to the Marketing Manager of Gorbel, Jeff McNeil, “intelligent lifting devices use servo power and control to provide precise positioning, along with ‘virtual limits’ that prevent movements that could result in damage to parts, machines or people. The devices can also ’learn’ where to allow operators to go (or not to go) by simply setting points of speed reduction along with upper and lower limits that the device can be moved to”.

New Alternatives For Transportation, Safety And Flexibility

Apart from combining the best of both full and semi-automation, companies are also considering overhead lifting about the whole production system, rather than just a means to lift and move materials merely. For a long time, end users had product systems that could only permit loads to be lifted from work cells via the crane system and are transferred to other cells via carts, forklifts or conveyors.

They never considered that it is possible for a crane system to transfer loads to all work cells throughout the manufacturing process all by itself.

Now, with the use of cranes, loads can be transferred in several ways: from one bridge crane to another bridge crane or from a bridge crane to monorails through switches and curves.

Ergonomics: Safety, Efficiency And Portability

Workstation bridge cranes and monorails are increasingly becoming popular because of their trussed enclosed tracks which significantly boost trolley movement and their V-shaped profiles that keep the tracks neat and free of debris. The foundations for trussed tracks are not so expensive for self-supporting systems as compared to the typical I-beams as the trussed tracks are lighter than the typical I-beams.

Since safety is a paramount consideration for material handling equipment manufacturers, some companies are studying the ways the end users interact with their products and are researching ways to make the equipment safer and more efficient. The end users, on their parts, are also working to reduce common mistakes such as when parts are not properly clamped or when the right amount of vacuum is not used to lift materials safely. They try to do so by making use of “up disable” feature which would not allow the part or material to be lifted at all.

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