All articles by Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Crane Electrification Options: Learn About Conductor Bars, Festoons, And Cable Reels
A Guest Post from the Members of the Electrification and Controls Manufacturers Association (ECMA).
How Overhead Lifting Equipment Enhances Workplace Safety
This article previously appeared in the February 2023 issue of Workplace Material Handling & Safety magazine.
Overhead Load Sway Control Technology Improves Safety, Productivity
When an overhead crane and hoist system transports a load, the laws of physics dictate that the suspended load will naturally sway when the travel motion starts or stops. Similar to a pendulum on a grandfather clock, the farther the load is from the hoist, the more pronounced the swing. Because a swinging load may potentially come into contact with personnel, equipment, materials, or facility structures it could become a hazard. Moreover, it can be challenging and time consuming for an operator to manually compensate for load sway. For both reasons, adding overhead load sway control technology to a crane can improve safety and productivity.
Overhead Safety Promoted By The Overhead Alliance
To help owners design, install, and operate the most reliable, dependable, and safest equipment possible, the industry groups of the Overhead Alliance of MHI routinely release new and updated standards and specifications. The publications cover overhead cranes, monorails, hoists, and workstation cranes and are the leading resource for the safe construction and utilization of overhead lifting systems. Comprised of the Crane Manufacturers Association of America Inc. (CMAA), the Monorail Manufacturers Association Inc. (MMA), and the Hoist Manufacturers Institute Inc. (HMI), the Overhead Alliance works together to promote overhead safety.
Five Overhead Crane Specifications And Standards You Should Know
The members of the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) produces engineering and technical standards and specifications for the safe design, engineering, manufacturing, operation, and service of overhead cranes. The standards, produced by the CMAA Engineering Committee, cover a broad range of crane types. CMAA standards are the leading global resource for the safe construction and utilization of overhead lifting systems. They are also part of CMAA’s full library of technical publications, which also includes guidelines and checklists for safety, maintenance, and use. To ensure the safest equipment and operation, here are five overhead crane specifications and standards you should know.
Why It’s Important To Buy Cranes Built To CMAA Specifications
Not all crane manufacturers build their overhead handling products to the same standards. In the U.S., however, the most commonly used engineering and technical standards come from the members of the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA). CMAA specifications provide a common design standard for crane builders to use. This ensures that their products meet a set of minimum design standards for the intended application. There are other standards and specifications produced domestically and overseas. Still other standards cover highly specialized applications — such as nuclear facilities. This post explains why it’s important to buy overhead cranes built to CMAA specifications.
Key Considerations When Selecting Wireless Controls For Overhead Cranes
A Guest Post from the Members of the Electrification and Controls Manufacturers Association (ECMA).
Don’t Ignore These Overhead Crane Safety Basics
Overhead crane equipment lifts, lowers, and transports large, heavy, and bulky loads overhead through a facility. As they transfer their payloads horizontally, they cranes also boost handling throughput and optimize facility space. Operations adding an overhead crane — or those with one or more in use — have responsibilities critical to the safe operation of this equipment. For this reason, the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) publishes multiple specifications and technical papers for the design, operation and service of cranes. To enhance equipment reliability and reduce the risk of injury for workers as they operate the crane or work in proximity to it, don’t ignore these overhead crane safety basics.
Conductix-Wampfler launches all-in-one radio solution for overhead crane market
Conductix-Wampfler, a manufacturer of mobile electrification and data transfer systems for industrial machinery, has announced the roll-out of its newest radio solution for the North American overhead crane market.
US steel mill installs fully automated cranes system
A US steel mill has seen its fully automated cranes system improve its operational efficiency.