A gantry crane is an overhead crane with one or two legs that move on wheels, tracks, or rail systems. Smaller gantry systems run on wheels or casters that can move throughout a facility for light fabrication work or maintenance. Larger gantry systems travel on rail or track embedded in the ground, typically running in…

Workers in manufacturing and assembly often need a safe method to move heavy materials. Workstation cranes are an ergonomic and user-friendly solution. They are typically used to support manufacturing activities, transporting materials or components from one process to the next. Workstation cranes are used in a variety of applications to support processing and handling throughout…

Proper crane runway alignment is crucial to meeting performance requirements and ensuring safe, efficient operations. End users must ensure that crane tolerances are within the specifications outlined by the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA). Key factors to monitor include elevation levels, spans, straightness, and runway clearances. Why Is Proper Runway Alignment Imperative? Aligned runways help…

For effortless movement of your gantry system, using the correct casters is key. At Spanco, we commonly quote three types of swivel casters: polyurethane, nylacron, and pneumatic. Each type of caster comes with its own pros and cons. How do you know which one is best for your system? The materials that each caster is…

Aluminum: What’s So Great About it? There are many reasons aluminum works so well for construction, manufacturing, and HVAC applications: flexibility and durability. But, what makes it lightweight enough that one worker can disassemble and transport an entire aluminum gantry crane, and yet strong enough for that same gantry to lift up to three tons?…

Whether your facility lacks overhead space or there are multiple overhead obstructions to contend with, installing an overhead crane can be cumbersome. However, there are economic solutions for applications requiring overhead lifting in a facility where headroom is limited. Under-running bridge cranes are ideal for applications requiring overhead lifts in a factory with low headroom…