There are few city skylines these days that do not feature cranes. Without these useful and interesting pieces of equipment, many of the tallest and most iconic buildings in the world would not exist.
Unlike other kinds of construction equipment, cranes do not need any other external power source. They can operate on their own and have a much longer history than other mechanical forms of equipment. This makes them truly intriguing inventions.
Cranes have a wide range of uses, including construction projects. So read on to learn all about the industrial crane, its uses, and the different types.
What Is a Crane?
A crane is a machine used for lifting and moving heavy loads. These could be goods, machines, or other materials. Industrial cranes have many different purposes across all sectors of industry. This includes manufacturing, shipbuilding, and construction.
Humans have used cranes for construction purposes for many thousands of years. Experts believe that the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used cranes to build many amazing buildings. As the centuries passed, technology developed, and cranes were used to build first cathedrals, then skyscrapers.
Most cranes consist of several basic components. The boom is the part that most people will recognize on a crane. Its main purpose is to move, lift and position heavy loads. The length of the boom arm dictates the reach of the crane.
Types of Industrial Crane
There are many different types of cranes and crane uses. It’s important that the right type of crane is used for the job at hand. Otherwise, there could be safety risks. It is not unusual on a building site to see several different types of cranes in use.
One of the most common types of crane found in an industrial environment is the bridge crane, also known as an overhead crane. It consists of parallel runways with a gap that is spanned by a traveling bridge. A hoist travels along the bridge and this is the lifting component of the crane.
Another type of crane is the gantry crane. These devices are often used in shipbuilding as they are able to lift very heavy loads. Their size will depend on their function, though, and some smaller gantry cranes are used in manufacturing. Gantry cranes were first used in the 1960s in an engineering company in Chicago.
A further type of crane that is commonly used in manufacturing is the workstation crane. Its purpose is to eliminate the need for workers to move loads between workstations. This means that workers are protected from injury and are also able to work more efficiently.
All about Cranes
Now you know everything there is to know about the industrial crane, its many uses, and the different types of crane that exist across various industries.
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