Electric and manual overhead cranes

Crane beam device

A beam crane is a technical device designed to lift and move cargo. According to the description given in the Brief Polytechnic Dictionary, a beam crane is a lightweight single-girder overhead crane with a manual or electric drive. A distinctive feature of the device is the presence of two support points, and not one, like most other lifting mechanisms. The crane beam supports can be fixed, rigidly fixed structures, or movable supports made like bridge supports. Most often these are rolled metal products mounted on the load-bearing walls of the room in which the mechanism is located.

One of the supports of a homemade crane beam, made of two corners welded together, attached to the wall of the garage.

The crane beam consists of: load-bearing supports, the working beam itself, a slide for moving along the supports, a movable carriage, any lifting mechanism with a rotating hook (hoist, winch, hoist).

Classification of beam cranes

Devices are divided into two categories. The separation is determined by the design features.

Components of supporting structures:

• Beam, which is the main one;
• End beams ensuring the stability of the unit;
• Lifting mechanism;
• Control system.

Special grips can also be provided to ensure safety during use. The drive that powers the installation is of two types - electric and manual. Such models are usually used in small warehouses.

Tools and materials

To create this mechanism in the garage, you will need the following tools and materials.

1. Rolled metal – angle, channel, I-beam.
2. Bearings of different sizes.
3. Welding machine with electrodes.
4. "Bulgarian".
5. Drill or drilling machine.
6. Actuating mechanism – hoist, hoist.
7. Marking tool (ruler or caliper, tape measure, chalk or marker)
8. Bolts, washers, nuts.

The length of the rolled metal is selected based on the size of the room, and its grade is determined from the calculations given below. Bearings can be taken in any suitable size. The quantity is selected according to the principle: 4 pcs. for one slide, 4 pcs. – for the second, plus 4 pcs. for the carriage (lift body). Total: 12 pieces. The bearings for the slide must be the same size; the carriage can be fitted with bearings of the same size or one size larger or smaller. Bolts for fastening must be selected with large metric threads. The actuator is selected according to its maximum load capacity and design loads.

Overhead crane

The mobile device of the overhead crane beam moves along suspended supports. And they, as a rule, are built into the trusses of the building. Overpasses may be provided instead of a truss.

Basically, the latter option is used outdoors. The main elements are:

• extreme beam with rigid fastening;
• the outer beam is movable;
• load-bearing crossbar;
• span beam, which is an I-beam;
• hoist (telpher lift);
• running carriages;
• drive with control panel.

Carrying out calculations

In order to make a crane beam in the garage with your own hands, you need to calculate the dimensions of the structure and the grade of rolled metal according to the load capacity. Such calculations are performed using special online calculators, which allow you to select the necessary materials with sufficient accuracy for handicraft production. These calculators require you to enter the dimensions of the structure and the maximum allowable weight that is expected to be lifted and moved. Then you need to make a working drawing and you can start working.

It is best to make the working beam of the mechanism from equal-flange I-roll, because when using welded corners it is very difficult to achieve uniformity of the rolling surface. Uneven rolling surfaces will lead to underloading of some bearings and overloading of others. The working beam slide can be made from a section of channel, the length of which will be equal to the width of the I-beam flange of the working beam. The size should allow it to slide freely along the span beam supports.

Here the bolts are used as racks for fastening the support bearings.

Drive types

There are 2 types of drives installed on the crane beams: manual and electric.

Manual variety

This type is suitable for handling loads that are light in weight. The movement speed of this type of device is lower than that of those made with an electric mechanism. In them, the working tool is represented by worm-driven mobile hoists

The drive is made up of a shaft, which is combined with running wheels. The transmission is connected to the traction wheel using a chain.

Electric drive is more common. To move cargo, it uses a winch or hoist, which are mounted on special trolleys.

The mechanism is activated by:

• gearbox;
• trolley wheels;
• electric motor.

Basic device parameters

The main parameter that distinguishes a beam crane is the weight of the load being lifted. In addition, the following features are highlighted:

• The load capacity of this mechanism depends on the type of its design. For support beams this value is 1-10 tons.
• Suspended structures have a smaller value, not exceeding four to five tons.
• The speed of the mechanism may vary.

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Hanging devices are somewhat slower. Their speed does not exceed 0.5 meters per second. In the description of this mechanism, data on the span size must also always be indicated. For this type of device, it ranges from 3 to 28 meters (sometimes 28.5). The span is supposed to be the area (space) that the device can serve.

This parameter can be divided into 2 categories:

• with one span (these devices are characterized by a length from 3 to 15 meters);
• with two spans (these devices correspond to a length from 7 to 12 meters).

Using suspended types of beam cranes, loads can be lifted to a height of 6-36 meters. For supporting types of crane beams, this value is lower and reaches 6–18 meters.

Metal variety

These beams are usually made in the shape of a rectangular box by welding four steel sheets.

Often, lattice trusses or bent sheets are used for its manufacture. This is done in order to increase the structure’s resistance to bending under the influence of significant weight loads.

The wall of the bridge, located in the body, is supporting. Consequently, the outer wall acts as an auxiliary one.

to make the auxiliary wall . Thanks to this solution, the weight of the entire structure is reduced. The cuts are made in such a way that the load-bearing capacity of the structure is not reduced.

Single and double beam varieties

Metal types of crane designs most often have frames with a double-girder device.

A single beam crane is also found in this type of device. It is usually made from an I-beam with a triangular or rectangular cross-section and, as in the case described above, is made in the form of a truss or sheet. Diaphragms are welded inside the main beams to strengthen the structure.

They are located at an angle of 90 degrees to the bearing axis of the beam. Their length is almost identical to the height of the walls. With a large length of the main beams, there were often situations where they sagged inward due to their inability to withstand the impressive weight of the loads being moved. To eliminate this drawback, the beams are first bent upward, thus forming the so-called construction rise.

the end beams is similar to rectangular boxes. Axle boxes and crane movement limiters are installed on them. In devices that are operated outdoors, additional anti-theft systems are placed inside the end beams. They protect the process of movement under the influence of strong winds.

The operation of this kind of mechanisms in construction and other areas greatly simplifies the performance of many works. And in some cases, using them at work is the only possible way to move or lift loads. This is why their prevalence is so high.

Lift carriage

The lift carriage is made from a section of channel, the length of which is equal to the length of the supporting part of this mechanism. The size of the channel is assumed to be equal to the width of the I-beam flange.

It is necessary to clarify that during the manufacture of the carriage, the support bearings on different sides of the carriage are not installed opposite each other, but “in a running motion.” This was done in order to distribute the load on the I-beam shelf as evenly as possible.

The carriage can be made from two metal plates of any shape - triangular, square, truncated cone. Support bearings are installed on the inner sides of both plates, and underneath the plates are combined into a single unit using bolts or welding. In the lower part, a rod or insert is installed between the plates, to which the fastening hook of the actuator clings. This type is used when using lifting devices that are attached to the lift body with a hook.

If it is envisaged that the lift will be fastened using a support plate, then instead of a bolt, a plate with holes for mounting bolts is attached under the hook. They fix the actuator on the carriage. For some types of carriages, especially for industrial use, an additional motor is mounted on the support platform, which, by rotating the support bearings, moves the lift body along the working beam. As a rule, an electric motor with a low speed is installed as such a motor, the power to which is supplied by a flexible cable on sliding suspensions. In conditions of handicraft production, when the crane beam is used infrequently and the volume of work is small, the installation of such a complex structure is hardly justified.

The self-propelled carriage is controlled using a multipolar switch, which further complicates the design. In a garage, when making a crane beam yourself, a simple non-self-propelled carriage, which moves along the beam manually using a drive cable or chain, is quite sufficient.

Some craftsmen make female lift bodies that are installed on the top flange of the I-beam, rather than on the bottom. In this case, the support bearings are installed inside the lift body, and the lift itself is assembled from two identical parts. The device becomes more voluminous, but its reliability increases. For better sliding along the beam, additional bearings are installed horizontally on the lift body, two on each side. This is done so that the lift body does not touch the plane of the beam.

Here the lifting mechanism is fastened with a fastening hook using the lowest bolt.

A homemade lift body designed to use a lifting device attached with a mounting hook to the bottom plate.

Description of the beam crane

This large-sized equipment belongs to special construction mechanisms. Its technical characteristics make it possible to work with heavy and bulky cargo. The most common similar devices can be found:

• in industry;
• during construction;
• in warehouses.

The designs of this technology are very diverse, as, in general, are their characteristics. But the principle of operation is the same for each variety.

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Installation of lifting mechanism

After assembling the lift body and its trial installation on the beam, it is removed again, and holes are drilled according to the size of the factory holes in the mechanism platform. The lifting mechanism is installed on the carriage, then the assembled device is installed on the working beam. Installation of a lifting device with a mounting hook is even simpler: it is simply hooked with the hook onto the carriage that is fully assembled and installed on the beam supports.

Crane production

Our company produces cranes for various purposes. The range includes such products as gantry crane, cantilever crane, mechanized warehouse, overhead crane, stacker crane, beam crane. The “box section” overhead crane features an optimized crane geometry that provides exceptional running characteristics that keep wear to a minimum. Depending on the need, the crane can be equipped with radio control, floor control or a control cabin. And additional platforms and easy-to-access load carts not only make overhead crane maintenance easier, but also give you access to shop components such as lights, piping, and power or ventilation lines.

The production of cranes is complemented by services for their repair, installation and maintenance. After completing the repair of the crane, our specialists will carry out commissioning work, allowing us to test the effectiveness of the work performed and provide a guarantee for further long-term and trouble-free use of the crane. The crane repair process is entirely carried out in accordance with all current standards and with the most careful adherence to technology.

An overhead crane, like any other equipment, periodically needs maintenance. The specialists of our crane factory are highly qualified and are able to perform all types of repair and maintenance of various cranes and their adjustment, for example, replace the traction rope or winch of the crane beam, replace the hydraulic pusher, adjust the brakes, replace (add) the wired control panel with a remote control radio control, convert an overhead crane controlled from the cabin to a crane controlled from the floor, mount and program frequency converters for moving the crane beam, paint the overhead crane, replace the gearbox or electric motor, replace the electrical part of the crane, mount a trolley conductor to power the overhead crane, strengthen crane to ensure greater lifting capacity, degree of loading of the crane, replace the hook, mount and adjust the brakes for the movement of the crane, install a load limiter, install a crane canopy over the crane for outdoor work, replace the end beams of the drive trolleys of the bridge crane, conduct inspections, static and dynamic tests, as well as draw up electrical circuit diagrams, produce a passport (duplicate passport) for the crane and mount or dismantle the crane. After our repairs at our crane factory, you receive completely restored lifting mechanisms.

Crane beam assembly

The assembly of a homemade crane beam occurs as follows:

• the device supports are attached to the wall or ceiling;
• a carriage is installed on the prepared working beam;
• if the actuator is mounted on a support platform, then it is installed on the lift body;
• the assembled work beam is lifted and placed on supports;
• check smooth operation and adjust operating parameters.

In the case of attaching the lifting mechanism to the support platform, the assembly is complete.

An assembled crane beam with a lift, which is fixed with a fastening hook by the lower bolt.

Making a simple lifting device yourself in your garage is not that difficult. It is necessary to carry out the calculations correctly and boldly get to work. At the same time, you need to remember about safety precautions - any lifting device is potentially dangerous. For example, according to the existing requirements of Rostechnadzor, the presence of more than 30% broken threads in a steel rope (cable) makes such a cable unsuitable for further use.

Overhead crane

An overhead crane has a clear definition according to GOST ISO 4306-1:2007. In accordance with the state standard, a crane is equipment with lifting elements for carrying loads over various distances. It is a steel platform that is perpendicularly attached to the bridge and moves along suspended or support-type crane tracks. The standard equipment for bridge equipment includes:

• Crane trolley with 1 or 2 lifting mechanisms;
• Cable or trolley conductors;
• Control unit (radio remote control or operator's cabin).

Very often it has two supporting platforms. Depending on the type of cargo, there are hook, grab, cast, magnetic and other types of grip units.

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Separately, it is worth noting the load-carrying capacity of a full-fledged mechanism. The range available to bridge engineering ranges from 3-1000 tons depending on the characteristics of the structure. Can move at a speed of 10 m/sec.

Installing a bridge device is quite labor-intensive and requires special equipment. Possible options:

• Fastening the beam under the movable base;
• Fastening the beam to a movable base.

The main advantage of the bridge structure is high speed of operation, good load capacity, large working area, mobility of the crane trolley, work with explosive and magnetic loads.