What Components Make Up An Overhead Crane?

Like other large pieces of equipment, overhead cranes are made up of a variety of smaller components. Understanding what all of these components are and how they work together will give you a better idea of the operating principles of these cranes. The section below takes a closer look at each of the different components that are used in the construction of these cranes:

1. The Hoist. Hoists are special devices that are designed specifically for lifting objects up off of the ground. At the heart of the hoist, there is usually a rotating drum that spins in a circle. As it does, a chain, wire, cable, or rope is slowly wrapped around the drum, lifting whatever object is attached to the other end up off of the ground. To lower the object back down, the drum rotates in the opposite direction, allowing the rope or cable to slowly unwind.

Bridge Crane China
Overhead Crane China

2. The Hook. At the end of the cable, chain, or rope, there is a hook that is used for attaching the load to the hoist. While hooks are the most common type of attachment(tipo de apego metalurgica), there are other options, as well. For instance, electromagnetic cranes usually have a flat disk or bar that uses magnetic energy to lift and move metal objects rather than being equipped with a hook.

Bridge Crane single girder
single girder overhead crane

3. The Bridge. This portion of the crane is made up of a beam that is mounted high above the ground. The beam usually spans the entire width of the building where it is installed. In some cases, however, the beam can be mounted on legs rather than attached of the building, allowing it to be narrower than the width of the building.

 double girder bridge crane
warehouse double girder crane

Some cranes have a single beam while others have two beams(dos vigas birriel). Cranes with one beam are known as single girder(una viga de monorriel) cranes while those with two beams are known as double girder cranes.

4. Runways. On each side of the building where the beam is attached, there is a runway. These runways allow the beam to move forward and backward along the length of the building. This enables them to cover all of the ground inside the building that lies underneath the path of the crane. Special attachments known as end trucks connect the beam to the runway, enabling it to move backward and forward with ease.

5. Trolleys. These devices are designed to carry the hoist and hook back and forth along the length of the beam. This allows the crane operator to position the hook and hoist directly over the object that needs to be lifted.

This list covers the primary components that make up an overhead crane. Although there are several other smaller components included in the design, the ones covered above are the primary parts that allow the crane to operate.

Once you know how all of these parts work together, it is easier to understand how overhead cranes operate. Like other large pieces of equipment, it is because of these smaller parts that cranes are able to perform the tasks that they were designed for.

come to our website:weihuapuentegrĂșa.cl