Materials in Motion Top Ten

Since 1979, Spanco has been a leading manufacturer of overhead workstation, jib, and gantry cranes. In that time, we’ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge largely driven by questions and comments from our customers and the unique material handling challenges our cranes help them overcome. Over the past five years, we’ve enjoyed discussing and sharing our knowledge of all things material handling here in the Materials in Motion blog. Based on your comments, questions, and clicks, here are our top 10 posts:

OVERHEAD CRANE SAFETY—THREE MAJOR HAZARDS AND PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
When used properly, overhead cranes make operations easier and safer. But, overhead crane accidents also cause injuries and fatalities every year.

UNDERSTANDING OVERHEAD CRANE DEFLECTION AND CRITERIA
Deflection translates to the relative displacement of a part of an overhead crane. So, how is deflection calculated, and how does it impact the overall design of a crane?

OVERHEAD CRANES: DAILY INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Daily inspections and regular maintenance will help keep your system in working order, preserve your warranty, and prevent potential safety hazards.

DESIGNING AN EFFECTIVE MANUFACTURING FACILITY LAYOUT
For most manufacturing operations, the goal is relatively simple: develop a lean manufacturing system to streamline production and ensure a smooth flow of work, material, and information. In the world of manufacturing, the old adage is true: time really is money.

UNDERSTANDING CRANE SERVICE CLASSIFICATIONS
Crane service classifications are important to select and install a crane that is appropriate for your application and facility. Selecting the appropriate crane classification will help to ensure the working condition and longevity of your overhead system.

USED OVERHEAD CRANES: WHEN TO BUY AND WHEN TO BEWARE
One question we get asked a lot is whether or not it’s safe to buy a used overhead crane system from websites like eBay or Craigslist. While there are some obvious benefits to purchasing used equipment, there are also a myriad of potential safety and reliability issues to consider.

HELP AGING WORKERS INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND DECREASE WORK-RELATED INJURIES
Research has shown that Baby Boomers prolonging their employment has resulting in an increased number of older workers in the workplace.

KEEPING IT GROUNDED: IS YOUR CRANE SAFE?
Did you know that you’re required to have a fourth ground bar on your overhead crane system? Find out why and how your crane may need to be retrofitted!

ARE YOU PURCHASING THE BEST QUALITY CRANE FOR YOUR OPERATION?
When purchasing a new crane for your manufacturing facility/operation, it’s important to consider not just the price of the crane, but also the quality. 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 application. So how do you ensure you’re buying the right crane for the right price?
HOW TO CHOOSE A JIB CRANE 
If you are searching for a material handling solution that will cover certain sections of your facility or to supplement a large overhead crane, a jib might be exactly what need. Jib cranes in general are pretty simple systems—a boom attached to a mast or mounted on a wall that rotates to cover a circular area. But, there are still many types of jib cranes with various characteristics depending on the needs of your operation. Each type may vary in degrees of rotation, purpose, mounting-style, beam type, and overall dimensions.