JULY 2021 | NEWS
ILLINOIS ELECTRIC WORKS INSTALLS 2-TON MONORAIL CRANE FOR TRUCK MANUFACTURER
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llinois Electric Works has partnered with Caldwell to install a 2-ton capacity monorail crane at a heavy truck manufacturer, using its 1-ton
capacity twin-hook lifting beam. The client was lookig for a material handling solution for separating frame rails in preparation for its assembly line process. Illinois Electric Works was initially contacted about provision of a gantry, but after further consultation decided on a permanent monorail Another Illinois company, Handling
Systems International (HSI), led the engineering phase of the project, while Electrolift, of New Jersey, designed a 2-ton capacity twin-hook hoist with a rigid (lug) mount to the beam. The final piece of the system was the 353-in.-long beam that holds the magnets used to lift the material. Align Production Systems was the integrator that built everything around the system.
“The twin-hook hoist was customized to meet the 10-ft. hook spacing requirement from Caldwell. This was a perfect application for our twin-hook hoist that is designed with two drums on a common shaft, ensuring both hooks raise and lower at the same speed,” said Steve Pilione, director of sales, Electrolift. “We used beam clamps that attached
to the wide flange beam [provided by HSI]. The beam clamps were bolted to custom pads that were welded to our hoist frame. This made for an easier installation because it eliminated the need for any field modification, such as drilling or
welding. The beam clamps will also make any necessary maintenance on the hoist much easier, since it will only need to have the bolts removed to lower the hoist.” The system picks up 500-in.-long rails that can weigh up to 2,000 lbs. apiece, completing one cycle every 10 to 15 minutes. The rail sizes vary greatly. The crane, monorail, hoist, beam and magnets form an automated material handling solution, integrated into a larger conveyor system, controlled through multiple sensors located throughout the device. Beyond the lifting equipment,
everything was manufactured in-house by the end customer and the entire
system was painted yellow. Mike Bongner, product manager, Illinois
Electric Works, said the system was completely designed from the ground up and is specific to one product being manufactured, by size and weight. The system was assembled and
tested onsite at HSI prior to shipment, including a load test. During the approval process, Bongner said additional options were added to enhance the design. For example, guide-rails that assist with alignment of the product were added to the conveyor system. Slack-Cable limit switches were also
fitted for similar function. Caldwell allowed Illinois Electric Works to enlarge the upper bale on the beam to provide easier removal from the hoist hooks during maintenance. The end user, meanwhile, added the Eriez magnets to the bottom of the monorail-hoist-beam assembly for grabbing the rail sections. It also attached sensors to the system for detection of rail presence and confirmation of pickup. Darrin Noe, director of sales, Caldwell, said; ‘the beam was the easy part’ as Bongner contacted them beforehand with all the specs, such as length, bottom hook spacing and twin bail spacing. Key dimensions from the final crane data sheet include the 46-ft., 4-in. bridge span; and 14 ft. per minute lifting speed of the hoist.●
16 | July 2021 |
www.hoistmagazine.com
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