Design compensates for runway misalignments that are proven to cause structural cracks and plant downtime
One of America’s most experienced overhead traveling crane manufacturers, Whiting Corporation, says its studies have shown that runway misalignment is the most common cause of crane girder and end truck structural cracks that can result in extensive downtime.
“Over the years, Whiting’s Research and Development Engineering team has spent countless hours researching the causes of girder and end truck structural cracks. These cracks may begin to appear on some cranes after several years of service, thus, reducing equipment life and performance,” said Alan Horgan, Crane Product Group Supervisor at Whiting Corporation.
The major cause of these fatigue cracks has been attributed to runway misalignments and structural deflection in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Keeping a building runway within the tolerance requirements can be an expensive endeavor, and may result in significant plant downtime, says Mr Horgan.
Determining the best end truck design for overhead cranes is crucial to maintaining and extending the life of cranes, says Mr Horgan, adding that Whiting has built a reputation for quality crane design and longevity of service over the brand’s 125 year history. Its advances are relevant to many diverse markets requiring reliability, precise positioning, high capacities or high duty cycles, meeting CMAA #70, AIST/AISE-TR6, ASME NOG-1, or other unique customer specifications.
Mr Horgan continues “As a result of Whiting’s R&D efforts, we design our fixed bogie cranes to be uniquely rigid yet flexible in order to reduce the stress levels throughout the crane. This Flex-Rigid Fixed Bogie design significantly improves equipment life.”
Features of Whiting’s Fixed Bogie Crane Design includes:
- Uniform runway load distribution
- Improved reliability over comparable fixed bogie crane designs
- Greater tolerance of extremes in runway rail alignment
- All wheels maintain positive contact with runway rail
- More economical choice over the extreme duty equalizing bogie design
- Extensive Whiting Engineering knowledge used to ensure design stability, robustness and reliability
Markets depending on Whiting reliability include nuclear, hydro-electric and fossil fuel plants, energy infrastructure, automotive manufacturing and metals processing, paper mills, steel mills and foundries, waste recycling plants, transport particularly including railway, and heavy industry including mining and resources plants. Whiting Corporation is a leading member of the Crane Manufacturers Association of America, whose mission is to ensure crane construction to the highest standards, compliance with all US legal standards and ensure worker safety and risk management. Whiting’s research and development in these areas has led to designs and innovations that respond to the toughest industry conditions and challenges.