Choosing the Right Crane System for Your Manufacturing Facility: A Guide to Overhead, Gantry, Jib, and Light Track Cranes

Choosing the Right Crane System for Your Manufacturing Facility: A Guide to Overhead, Gantry, Jib, and Light Track Cranes

When it comes to selecting the ideal crane for your manufacturing facility, there’s no “one size fits all” solution. The choice of crane depends on many factors, such as the layout of your building, the loads you’ll be lifting, and the surrounding operating conditions. This guide provides an overview of the most common types of overhead and gantry crane systems, each tailored to meet specific needs and environments in the manufacturing sector.

Overhead Cranes

Overhead cranes are designed to integrate seamlessly into the building structure, allowing them to lift heavy loads across the entire floor space. One of their key advantages is their ability to move heavy loads in multiple directions, making them highly versatile for industries such as construction, manufacturing, and warehousing.

Overhead Cranes

Since overhead cranes are suspended from roof height, they do not take up floor space or restrict the layout of the facility below. This makes them an excellent choice for environments where maximum floor space is needed for operations. They are ideal for lifting large, bulky items, often supporting tasks that involve assembling or moving heavy materials across various sectors.

Gantry Cranes

Gantry cranes function similarly to overhead cranes but with one notable difference—they operate on their own independent structure. The design and size of the rails depend on the working load of the crane, and these systems are used in a wide range of industries, including steel production, aircraft manufacturing, and heavy construction.

Gantry Cranes

Gantry cranes are especially useful for external or harsh manufacturing environments, where special protective coatings can be applied to protect components and running gear from the elements. Whether you’re moving bulk materials or handling oversized loads, gantry cranes offer the strength and flexibility required for heavy-duty tasks.

Jib Cranes

For smaller manufacturing facilities, jib cranes provide a compact and efficient solution. Consisting of a horizontal beam supported by a fixed vertical column, jib cranes allow for rotation and extension, enabling operators to lift and position loads in specific areas of the production process.

Jib Cranes

These cranes are ideal for facilities with limited space or where a focused lifting operation is needed, such as in plastic injection molding, parts assembly, or any process where manual handling is prohibited. Their compact design and ability to handle loads in tight spaces make them a popular choice for smaller, specialised tasks.

Light Track Cranes

Light track cranes are a great option for maximising floor space while still providing efficient lifting capabilities. These systems are designed to operate within a specific workstation, either built into the building’s framework or as a freestanding unit. While they are primarily used for lighter loads, the hoist can be moved either manually or electrically, depending on the application.

Light Track Cranes

Light track systems are particularly useful in buildings with limited height, where an overhead crane wouldn’t be practical. They are commonly used in industries like flour milling, engine assembly, workshops, and paint shops, providing efficient lifting solutions for loads up to 2 tons.

This guide highlights the advantages and applications of each overhead and gantry crane system, helping you make an informed decision for your manufacturing facility. Whether you need the heavy-duty capabilities of an overhead crane or the space-saving design of a jib or light track crane, understanding your specific operational needs will ensure you choose the right system.