| For Immediate Release: |
TC/American’s
LOWERATORTM Transfer Crane
Streamlines
Powder Coat Oven Cure
St.
Michael, Minnesota:
TC American Monorail supplies a custom-configured LOWERATORTM
Transfer Crane
with modifications to carry large loads directly into a 450 degree F powder
coat oven, without setting the load down. The crane design utilizes a special
carrier that attaches directly to a large workpiece and travels with it through
the assembly process, interlocking with strategically placed spur rails at
various stations along the route. The operator can engage positive mechanical
rail interlocks in order to easily and safely transfer the load into separate
bays for various operations, thus saving time and minimizing the potential for
damage.
This installation handles very large
steel weldments that would be difficult to transfer and set down repeatedly
onto floor dollies for the various finishing operations involved. To handle the
weldments smoothly and safely, a ten-ton LOWERATOR crane was developed, with a
bridge rail measuring 32’ 10”. First, the weldments travel through the various
assembly processes. Then, they proceed to a series of finishing stations for
blast clean/surface prep and drying. Lastly, they are run though a powder coat
application, 450 degree F° oven cure, and cool down. In each finishing station
the weldment is transferred via interlocking spur rails to a separate bay for
the pertinent operation. Once ready, the interlocking rails allow the load to
rejoin the primary crane rail system and proceed to the next station. All of
these operations are directed using a handheld wireless control. Since the
carrier rail travels with the load through the entire process, the work piece
is never set down until the finished product has gone through final inspection
and is ready for shipping. The LOWERATOR concept avoids unnecessary handling
and potential operator injury. It also ensures uniform powder coat cure
temperatures by eliminating the need for an oven roof slotted for an overhead
hoist.
The LOWERATOR crane has 15 fpm lift
speed and 18 feet of vertical travel. It uses a mechanical interlocking guide
system to allow the load to swing freely when lowered, then automatically return
to its home position when raised. This enables unimpeded operator access during
the various work operations and secure re-attachment to the overhead rail for
transfer to the next station. Other safety provisions include: overload limits,
upper/lower travel limits, wire rope equalizers, backup manual control pendant,
and thermal protection. It also features a male/female rail interlock sensor
that ensures two adjoining rails are properly aligned before they can be
actuated.
Built for long service, the system
utilizes extra beefy end trucks rated for up to 19 tons and 50 fpm travel
speed. The carrier rail is coated to withstand occasional exposure to cleaning
chemicals and regular exposure to high temperatures. This is achieved by the
use of epoxy paint, and bearings that utilize high-temperature non-silicone
lubricants with drip pans to prevent load contamination. “The LOWERATOR’s
robust design streamlines the entire assembly process,” reports Josh Stern, TC
American Sales Manager, “its unique design features minimize unnecessary
handling, damage, and costs.” The LOWERATOR crane system can be configured in
many different ways to accommodate various requirements.
For
more information, call 763-497-7000.
TC
American, 12070 43rd Street NE, St. Michael, Minnesota
55376
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