For many manufacturing workshops, choosing a well designed, cost effective material handling solution is critical to streamlining workflow and maximizing productivity. In today’s marketplace, there are multiple options, but ceiling mounted workstation cranes are a very common and popular solution. These inexpensive ceiling mounted cranes, generically called “overhead bridge cranes,” are efficiently moved by the worker’s own power and have proven to be the ideal material handling solutions for many companies because they can streamline and maximize productivity, while adding little to the cost of the process.

Limited work space is a problem on many manufacturing floors. Overhead crane systems are a perfect solution – they provide necessary coverage without the use of support columns. Ceiling mounted systems can also be linked to a monorail or crane that uses interlock sections, making them a welcome addition to existing efficient processes.

Supported by the existing building structure, overhead crane systems do not require support columns. Before shopping for a handling solution, consult a qualified architect or engineer to decide if an overhead crane system is the right solution. They will be able to tell you if your building structure is able to support overhead crane systems.

When choosing an overhead crane for your workshop, there are several factors to consider. Crane capacity is the first point to consider. Buying higher capacities than required creates extra load weight and leads to dead weight on the bridge. This requires more weight for the operator to move a load, though typically only one percent of the actual force weight is required for movement.

Three major points of consideration for companies considering an overhead crane solution are length, height, and width. The length of a crane runway is determined by the specific area requiring coverage, while height is measured from the floor to the point from which a hoist is suspended. The length of the bridge between the centers of two runways determines the width.

In addition to size factors, there are many different types of overhead cranes to fit the custom challenges of most manufacturing workshops. If your company needs a crane solution for load transportation, overhead cranes create easy, ergonomic movement for most operators. Companies that have a fast paced working environment could find manual overhead cranes to be a better solution than motorized cranes because they tend to operate more quickly.

Motorized systems can be used effectively if the application requires moving heavier loads in comparison to manual cranes. A motorized system should be considered for any manufacturing floor that requires its crane to transport 1000, 2000, or 4000 pound objects. The need for a motorized system also comes up when bridge travel across an inaccessible area is required.

Overhead cranes are the best solution for workshops that require cost effective solutions for handling materials. Proper consultation should be done before shopping for a solution as there are many overhead crane options. Make sure the solution you select is the best for your manufacturing jobs.

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