HAN-TEK Innovation Delivers Single-Girder Stacker Crane
Customized system enables refractory-supplier customer to expand product line
VICTOR, NEW YORK -- In response to the unique requirements of a refractory
customer in the highly competitive glassmaking industry, HAN-TEK, Inc.
of Victor NY customized and installed a unique 15-ton, single-girder
stacker crane, built to accommodate the refractory customer's existing
facilities. Unlike the more typical double-girder stacker cranes with
center masts, the HAN-TEK solution was designed to be streamlined to
fit the existing building layout and built to allow proximity to the
refractory furnaces to accept pours.
The customized stacker crane solution developed by HAN-TEK allows operators
to use the forks on the mast to reach into an area and pick up an offset
load, for the glassmaking refractory customer. HAN-TEK cost-effectively
upgraded the customer's existing runway system, the physical support
for the crane's 100-foot path to the refractory furnace. The furnace
pivots to pour molten refractory heated up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit,
into the 10-foot high silica mold. After backing out, depositing the
mold, and cooling, the process yields bricks that will line glass furnaces.
"Our customers needs have become increasingly more complex," said Jon
Tobin, president, HAN-TEK, Inc. "They're looking for an edge to make
themselves more competitive, and they count on HAN-TEK to provide
innovative, reliable, and cost-efficient solutions."
"This solution does more than replace our customer's 7.5-ton
single-girder stacker crane," Tobin added. "They can now supply
larger furnace liners to their own customers ... and that means they
have the capability to capture larger market share in their industry."
The custom solution did more than expand the product line capabilities
for HAN-TEK's refractory customer who said, “It is a marvelous
installation, very professional”. The single-crane solution also
provided:
- Safety improvements, including greater operator control, slippage
detection, and slack-cable detection
- Versatility, with variable frequency drives on all motions, allowing
customer-controlled adjustments of speed, acceleration, and braking
distance
- Durability, with reduced maintenance thanks to variable-frequency
drive soft starts, torque proving, and load float, all of which dramatically
reduces wear and tear on brakes and other mechanical components.
To learn more about HAN-TEK Overhead Cranes or other material handling
solutions, contact HAN-TEK at 800-836-0237 or click
here to send us an e-mail.
About HAN-TEK
HAN-TEK, Inc., an ISO 9001:2000 register company, headquartered in Victor,
N.Y. (suburban Rochester), provides progressive integrated solutions
to optimize manufacturing, assembly and product-distribution systems.
With over 40 years experience in overhead cranes, integrated conveyors,
and systems automation and controls HAN-TEK provides customers a competitive
edge through innovative material movement solutions.