Considering the complexity of ship manufacturing and maintenance, gantry cranes, as heavy lifting equipment, are indispensable for their application in the ship manufacturing industry. During the ship manufacturing process, gantry cranes can efficiently handle large hull segments, ensuring the smooth progress of the manufacturing process. With the development of global trade and shipping industry, the demand for ships continues to grow, which will directly promote the demand for gantry cranes.

The case analyzed by Dongqi Crane today is that a British shipyard purchased three 16-ton gantry cranes. These gantry cranes will be used to lift, move and accurately place large components during the yacht assembly process. Through the analysis of the case, Dongqi Crane hopes to help customers better understand the process of customizing gantry cranes. Rich experience in customizing gantry cranes will help Dongqi Crane manufacture the most cost-effective cranes for customers.

The role of three 16-ton gantry cranes in the shipyard

A UK shipyard needs these giant cranes to produce 30-40m M-class triple-decker yachts. The crane will be used to lift, move and accurately position large components during the yacht’s assembly process.

Since the South Factory assembly building where the crane is installed is a lightweight long-span space frame building that cannot bear the weight of the crane, an independent gantry is installed inside it.

The crane supplier installed a floor-mounted giant crane with a slim-leg design to maximize hook coverage in the manufacturing area.

Of the three cranes installed on site, two are 16t giant cranes with a span of 13.75m serving the main assembly area. These giants are designed with twin hoists with a lifting capacity of 8 tonnes and can be used independently or in tandem.

The company also installed a giant crane with a span of 28m, with hooks covering the entire production area. It has a 16-tonne crane and will share external operating tracks with the smaller giant.

The crane supplier said it will use electric wire rope hoists to provide its customers with high positional accuracy and true vertical lifting and lowering, as well as to protect structures and components from damage caused by lateral movement.

All new cranes are equipped with safety features such as warning beacons, sirens and automatic anti-collision systems, as well as wireless radio controls that enable the crane operator to choose a position to maximize visibility and safety. The pendant controller provides an alternate mode of operation when needed.

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Summary of shipyard’s technical requirements for gantry cranes

Supplying gantry cranes to shipyards requires meeting a series of technical conditions to ensure the equipment’s load-bearing capacity, stability, operating accuracy, safety, as well as adaptability and maintainability. This will help improve the production efficiency and quality of shipyards and meet the needs of yacht manufacturing. Based on customer cases and years of work experience, Dongqi Crane has summarized the following points:

• Bearing capacity and stability: The gantry crane must be able to bear the maximum required weight, including large components that need to be lifted and moved during the yacht assembly process. In addition, its design should ensure stability during operation and prevent accidents caused by shaking or tilting.
• Span and coverage: Considering the structure of the shipyard building and the needs of yacht assembly, the gantry crane should have sufficient span to cover the entire working area. For large shipyards, multiple gantry cranes may be required to work together to meet the operating needs of different areas.
• High-precision operation: The gantry crane should have high position accuracy to ensure accurate positioning when lifting, moving and placing components. This helps reduce assembly errors and improve yacht quality and productivity.
• Safety: Safety is an important consideration in gantry crane design. Equipment should be equipped with various safety features such as warning beacons, sirens and automatic anti-collision systems to prevent potential safety risks. In addition, backup modes of operation, such as wireless radio controls and pendant controls, ensure rapid response in the event of an emergency.
• Adaptability: Because the specific needs and conditions of a shipyard may vary, suppliers need to provide customized solutions to adapt to different plant structures, workflows and operating environments.
• Maintenance and maintenance: The maintenance and upkeep of gantry cranes are also important technical conditions. Suppliers should provide equipment that is easy to maintain and maintain, and provide corresponding technical support and training to ensure long-term stable operation of the equipment.

Three 16-Ton Gantry Cranes Play An Important Role In The Shipyard