Overhead cranes for overground trains
Bombardier's Derby factory is relying on two overhead cranes from Street Crane for final assembly of new Electrostar train carriages. The 20-tonne capacity cranes play a vital role helping with safety and productivity at the factory, which is working a three-shift system to complete the Electrostar order.
Two identical 20-tonne working load cranes have been installed. Each is fitted with twin 10-tonne hoists for safe lifting and handling. The cranes are used independently during assembly of the trains, but are designed for tandem operation when lifting and moving complete train bodies.
Special features include audible alarms as the cranes move up the workshop, anti-collision devices for when the cranes are moving independently, and a unified radio control system for tandem lifts and moves, ensuring total synchronisation.
The cranes can transport loads at speeds of 40m/min down the 180m-long workshop. Cross travel speeds of 20m/min can be obtained and hoist speeds of up to 4m/min. All crane travel motions are under inverter control to ensure safe acceleration and deceleration for load stability and to provide precision low speed final placement.
