Posts by developer
Material Handling Basics: What Is a Workstation Crane?
Workers in manufacturing and assembly often need a safe method to move heavy materials. Workstation cranes are an ergonomic and user-friendly solution. They are typically used to support manufacturing activities, transporting materials or components from one process to the next. Workstation cranes are used in a variety of applications to support processing and handling throughout…
Read MoreAre Your Runways Aligned?
Proper crane runway alignment is crucial to meeting performance requirements and ensuring safe, efficient operations. End users must ensure that crane tolerances are within the specifications outlined by the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA). Key factors to monitor include elevation levels, spans, straightness, and runway clearances. Why Is Proper Runway Alignment Imperative? Aligned runways help…
Read MoreChoosing the Right Casters: How Much Force Is Required to Move the System?
For effortless movement of your gantry system, using the correct casters is key. At Spanco, we commonly quote three types of swivel casters: polyurethane, nylacron, and pneumatic. Each type of caster comes with its own pros and cons. How do you know which one is best for your system? The materials that each caster is…
Read MoreWhat Can Aluminum Do For You?
Aluminum: What’s So Great About it? There are many reasons aluminum works so well for construction, manufacturing, and HVAC applications: flexibility and durability. But, what makes it lightweight enough that one worker can disassemble and transport an entire aluminum gantry crane, and yet strong enough for that same gantry to lift up to three tons?…
Read MoreOverhead Cranes for Limited Space and Low Headroom Applications
Whether your facility lacks overhead space or there are multiple overhead obstructions to contend with, installing an overhead crane can be cumbersome. However, there are economic solutions for applications requiring overhead lifting in a facility where headroom is limited. Under-running bridge cranes are ideal for applications requiring overhead lifts in a factory with low headroom…
Read MoreHow to Choose a Crane to Enhance Your Operations
When purchasing a quality crane for your manufacturing facility or operation, it’s important to consider not just the price of the equipment but also its capabilities and capacities. There are plenty of overhead cranes available in a fair price range, but the cost alone cannot dictate your decision when choosing the right crane for your…
Read MoreAdvantages of Tripod Cranes
Tripod cranes are flexible tools for lifting items in multiple industries, including film, furniture, military, waste management, and construction. They’re lightweight, highly portable cranes that can travel and stand where other lifting equipment can’t. Learn more about tripod crane benefits and how they compare to other cranes in this guide. Understanding Tripod Cranes Tripod cranes are a type of lifting…
Read MoreHow Does Crane Deflection Impact Your Bottom Line?
How Does Crane Deflection Impact Your Bottom Line? Crane boom deflection refers to the vertical or horizontal displacement of parts of an overhead crane. Deflections affect the equipment’s performance by reducing its capacity and your employees’ productivity. Measuring your equipment’s deflection will help you understand the overall impact on your bottom line. How to Measure…
Read MoreManufacturing Facility Layout Plan
A manufacturing facility’s layout determines many aspects of production. By optimizing the arrangement of equipment, workers, and materials, you can make the most of your available space. An effective facility layout can help improve productivity, reduce downtime, ensure employee safety, and streamline workflows and operations. Since the layout of manufacturing facilities can vary widely, creating…
Read MoreIncorporating Flexibility for Process and Fixed-Position Layouts
The goal of an effective facility layout is to provide the most efficient workflow and plant flexibility without disruption. There are several ways to ensure that manufacturing facilities design an effective layout that streamlines production and promotes a lean manufacturing process. Depending on the operation, there are three basic facility layouts used in manufacturing: Fixed-Position…
Read MoreUnderstanding Overhead Crane Deflection and Criteria
Overall, deflection is literally defined as “deviation from an allotted course”. It can mean that something is deviated by turning aside or by coming off course. For overhead cranes, this definition translates to the relative vertical or horizontal displacement of a member or part of an overhead crane under load. So how does that impact…
Read MoreTandem Lift Safe Practices
Tandem lifting allows two cranes to lift objects too heavy or too large for one crane to lift. Tandem loading is often employed to place heavy structural beams for bridges, lift long components from horizontal to vertical positions, or move objects near power lines. Small sites can also utilize tandem lifting. Sites with limited space…
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