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Free Standing Work Station Bridge Cranes
For the safe, productive, ergonomic handling of all overhead lifting requirements
More
and more businesses are choosing the enclosed track work station crane
system.
As an innovator and leader in the enclosed track work station crane industry,
ASE provides a wide variety of overhead solutions. Our work station systems
include free standing work station bridge cranes (covered in the following
pages), ceiling mounted bridge cranes and monorails, and work station
jib cranes. And we’re also a leading manufacturer of high-performance
manual and motorized jib cranes; all this, plus quick delivery and the
industry’s best warranty. (250-lb to 4,000-lb bridge capacities,
2’ to 34’ bridge lengths, 10’ to 100’+ runway length and 10’, 12’ &
14’+ trolley saddles heights)
How to Apply
Ergonomic Overhead Work Station Cranes
What Type of Crane Is Most Appropriate?
- Bridge cranes cover rectangular areas, while jib cranes cover circular areas.
- Bridge cranes can be floor supported or hung from the ceiling. Jib cranes can be wall or pillar mounted and may require a special foundation.
- An enclosed track work station bridge crane provides consistent ease of operation over the full range of movement.
- Jib cranes move more easily at the very end of the boom and are more difficult to move as the load approaches the pivot point.
Should the crane be manual or motorized?
Ease of movement and light weight are key features of enclosed track work station crane systems. In fact, manual work station cranes do the job faster than motorized cranes. If the operator cannot control the load throughout the operation (for instance, over a vat, pit, or other inaccessible area), then the crane should be motorized.
What type of suspension: free standing or ceiling mounted?
- Free standing (floor-supported) systems do not put stress on the building’s overhead structure. Installation is usually more straightforward, and these cranes are also easier to relocate in the future. These systems require a reinforced concrete floor of at least 6 inches.
- With ceiling mounted systems, supporting steel does not interfere with the handling operation. Ceiling mounted systems require a building with an adequate overhead structure to hang the crane.
These questions and answers can help you determine which type of overhead work station crane best meets your needs.
What capacity, bridge length, and height?
The
general rule is “less is more.”
- Keep capacities to a minimum. Work Station Cranes are designed with an adequate safety factor. If you “over-buy capacity,” the operator will need to move extra bridge dead weight, which would not be a good ergonomic solution.
- Keep bridge lengths to a minimum. The less dead weight an operator has to move, the better. Short bridge lengths are better for higher-cycle production areas. Longer bridges are acceptable for lower-production cycle or maintenance areas.
- Keep bridge heights (trolley saddle) to a minimum- keeping the trolley saddle (TS) height less than 14 feet is desirable because it makes it easier to control and position the load.
Can the operator safely move the load?
- A work cell should be designed so a task can be performed by 90% of the workers.
- A worker should not exceed 33% of his or her capacity; otherwise, the risk of chronic fatigue increases.
Enclosed Track Design Makes for Easy Movement and Long Life
Both
the aluminum and steel Work Station Crane Systems utilize enclosed track
that is high in strength and low in weight. Major advantages:
- Enclosed track cranes are up to three times easier to move than traditional bridge cranes.
- The design virtually eliminates dirt and dust from the rolling surface, thus reducing wear on the wheels of the trolley and end trucks.
- The smooth running surface means lower rolling resistance.
- The low profile of the steel track allows the system to be installed where headroom is a problem.
- The low track weight reduces the applied forces exerted on the supporting structure.
- Long spans allow systems to be installed where support assemblies are infrequent (up to 30 feet with steel truss design). This reduces the possibility of the support columns interfering with the work cell layout.
- Four distinct sizes of track -- 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 series – enable you to keep bridge weights and costs to a minimum.
TRUSSED
STEEL TRACK:
Permits longer spans which allow more flexibility in crane layout.
The trussed series uses the plain steel track profile but is enhanced
for longer spans via a built-up truss design. This design increases the
span, which decreases the need for frequent hangers. Model numbers start
with: GLCS-FS for spans up to 20 feet, GLCSL-FS for spans up to 25 feet,
and GLCSLX-FS for spans up to 30 feet. Long spans translate into fewer
runway support points, less interference of work cell layout, longer bridge
lengths, and free standing capabilities... just another reason why Work
Station Cranes are among the most versatile to apply and easiest to install
in the industry.
ALUMINUM TRACK:
For
use where lower bridge weight and easier movement are required
The patented shape of ASE’s aluminum enclosed track provides for low weight,
unparalleled spanning capability, and effortless movement. The low weight
(up to 44% less than trussed steel track) results in easier movement,
which makes for safe, productive, ergonomic work cells. Runway spans up
to 20 feet and bridge lengths up to 34 feet meet a wide range of applications.
Model numbers start with AL-FS.
Rigid Runways
Provide for Superior Positioning of Loads
Work Station Bridge Cranes are installed so that the runways are rigid.
They do not move laterally or longitudinally. In addition, the floating
end trucks with horizontal wheels prevent binding. The combination of
these design features results in unmatched ease of positioning and ease
of movement. The bridge travels smoothly down the runways, and movement
is unvarying along the way, no matter where a load is positioned on the
bridge. This allows superior load positioning. Another advantage of rigid
runways is that runways double as stringers between support columns. This
eliminates the need for expensive intermediate support stringers, and
it lowers overall installation cost.
Mixed
Capacity Bridge Crane Systems:
Reduced bridge dead weight equals better ergonomic solutions.
Mixed-capacity systems allow multiple lower capacity bridges to be used
on higher capacity runways, provided the equivalent center loads (ECL)
are verified at the factory to ensure that runways and hangers are not
overloaded. For example, using ASE’s mixed-capacity end trucks, four 500
lb. bridges (utilizing 500 series rail) can be hung from a 2000 lb. runway,
allowing side-by-side use of all four bridges without overloading the
system. By mixing bridges of various sizes and capacities, mixed-capacity
systems offer reduced bridge dead weight, easier movement, and reduced
cost.
Call 800-245-2163
for pricing & additional information.
WARNING: Equipment described in this brochure is not designed
for, and should not be used for, lifting, supporting, or transporting
humans. Failure to comply with any one of the limitations noted can result
in serious bodily injury and/or property damage.
Easy to Install
Free Standing Work Station Bridge Cranes can be installed on any normal
6" reinforced concrete floor. Each column is anchored by four bolts,
thus eliminating the need for field welding. Support columns are designed
to AISC specifications.
If no movement of the support assemblies is required, then bracing to
the building is recommended (not included).
Modular Design
The pre-engineered modular kit design permits easy expansion or relocation.
The runway length can be increased by adding runway sections, free standing
support assemblies and additional bridges as needed.
What is meant
by Rated Capacity?
The rated capacity is the live load that can be lifted by the crane system.
The design load for the crane system is based on the rated capacity plus
15% for the weight of the hoist and trolley (capacity _ 1.15) and an additional
25% for impact (capacity _ 1.25) for a total design of capacity _ 1.4
(Note, 25% impact factor is good for hoist speeds up to 50 f.p.m.). For
example, a 1000-lb. ASE cranes allows you to pick up a 1000 lb. load provided
the hoist weighs 150 lb. or less and the hoist speed is less than 50 feet
per minute.
Design load for deflection calculations is based on the rated capacity plus 15% for the weight of the hoist and trolley (capacity _ 1.15). Under no conditions should the crane be loaded beyond its rated capacity. Work Station Cranes meet or exceed the ANSI B30.11 specifications for under hung bridge cranes.
SPLICE
JOINTS FOR STEEL TRACK
A splice joint is used to join track sections together and enable the
installer to quickly and properly align the joined sections of track.
Adjusting bolts are provided on the splice joint for leveling and aligning.
Call 800-245-2163 for pricing & additional information.
Hangers
for Trussed Steel Track
Hangers for steel runways are included with each assembly as shown. The
runways are flush mounted under the free standing support assemblies via
spine clamp angles, B7 alloy threaded rods, and the appropriate hardware.
Call 800-245-2163 for pricing & additional information.
SPLICE
JOINTS FOR ALUMINUM TRACK
Patented splice joints for aluminum track allow for precision alignment.
The aluminum track is extruded with four patented alignment slots. Four
precision-ground pins are provided to accurately align runway sections,
which provides for a smoother transition of wheels over the splice joint
than is possible with bolted connections. In addition, clamp fasteners
attach to the vertical web of the track to pull the track together and
keep it from separating.
Hangers for
Aluminum Track
Standard hangers for aluminum runways are included with each assembly
shown. The runways are flush mounted under the free standing support assemblies
via beam clips, B7 alloy threaded rods, and the appropriate hardware.
FREE
STANDING WORK STATION BRIDGE CRANES
STEEL RUNWAYS WITH STEEL OR ALUMINUM BRIDGE ISOMETRIC VIEW
Call 800-245-2163 for pricing & additional information.
Free Standing Work Station Crane kits include: bridge, runways, the appropriate number of support assemblies, hoist trolley, end trucks, end stops, flat wire festooning, festoon gliders (festoon trolleys on steel runway lengths greater than 63' and all aluminum systems), festoon stack-up section, splice joints and hanger brackets.
Hoist and anchor bolts provided by others.
Dimensions are for reference only and are subject to change without notice.
Click the following links to view Work Station Jib Cranes, Multiple Bridge Options, and Work Station Crane Component Parts