Within a foundry, the steel making process is designed to create high-quality steel products through melting, alloying, and refining raw materials. Cranes are essential throughout this process, handling materials, equipment, and finished products with precision and efficiency. As a trusted crane manufacturer, we are dedicated to providing custom crane solutions tailored to the specific needs of your foundry’s steelmaking operations.
The ironmaking process is the first step in steel production, where iron ore is converted into molten iron in a blast furnace. This molten iron is later refined to produce steel. The process involves high temperatures and heavy materials, requiring cranes that can handle the bulk movement of materials and molten metal safely.
Crane Solutions For the Ironmaking Process:
Used to grab and move scrap steel, the grab crane for foundry picks up large chunks of scrap and transports them to the charging area. The grabs come in three main types: hydraulic, mechanical, and electric grabs.
The electromagnetic crane in a foundry is equipped with a powerful magnet to lift scrap steel into the scrap steel trough.
The charging crane for foundry lifts the scrap steel trough and accurately pours the material into the blast furnace, where the ironmaking process begins.
Once the molten iron has been produced, it needs to be refined to remove impurities and adjust its composition to meet specific quality standards. The steelmaking process primarily occurs in a converter (such as a Basic Oxygen Furnace or an Electric Arc Furnace), where the molten iron is turned into steel by injecting oxygen or using an electric current.
Crane Solutions for the Steelmaking Process:
After the molten iron is refined, it is transferred to large ladles that transport it to the next stage. Ladle cranes in a foundry are essential in this stage, as they handle the heavy ladles of molten steel and transport them from the furnace to the casting area. The foundry ladle crane can have structural configurations such as double-beam double-track, four-beam four-track, or four-beam six-track.
After the molten steel is refined, it needs to be cast into shapes that can later be processed into finished products. The casting process involves pouring molten steel into molds to create ingots, billets, blooms, or slabs, which are then further processed into specific steel products.
Cranes Used for the Casting Process:
The casting cranes in a foundry are used to lift and transport molds filled with molten steel during the casting process.
After casting, billets – semi-finished steel products – need to be transported. Billet handling cranes for a foundry are designed to move and stack billets for further rolling or processing.
Once steel is cast, it is often rolled and shaped into finished products, such as bars, plates, or sheets. The rolling process involves passing the steel through rollers to reduce its thickness and shape it into the desired form. This process can be done hot or cold, depending on the specific type of steel being produced.
Crane Solutions Used for the Rolling Process:
These cranes are specially designed to handle steel coils in the rolling mill. Coil handling cranes feature specialized lifting equipment, such as coil tongs, to ensure safe and efficient material handling.
The electromagnetic cranes can lift steel products directly from the production line, particularly useful in moving hot steel plates, sheets and billets. These cranes are equipped with strong electromagnets that can easily lift ferrous materials without the need for slings or hooks.
After the steel is processed, it is either stored or shipped to customers as finished products such as beams, plates, or wire rods. The storage and shipping process involves moving finished products to warehouses or directly onto trucks or ships for delivery.
Crane Solutions for Finished Steel Products:
The overhead cranes are commonly used in warehouses and storage areas within a foundry to move finished steel products. With high lifting capacities and precise control, overhead cranes ensure safe and efficient handling of steel items, whether they are being moved to storage or prepared for shipping.
Gantry cranes are often employed in outdoor storage yards or large shipping areas within a foundry. They are capable of lifting heavy steel products, such as coils, beams, and plates, and can move them across long distances with ease.
In a foundry, rubber tyred gantry cranes provide a versatile and mobile lifting solution for handling finished steel products in large yards. These cranes are equipped with rubber tires, allowing them to move freely over different surfaces, making them ideal for transporting steel products between storage areas and shipping points.
| Technical Parameter of AQ-QDX European Standard Double Girder Crane | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | t | 10 | 16 | 20 | 32 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 160 | 200 | 250 | 320 |
| Span | S(m) | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 |
| Lifting height | m | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~16 | 6~16 | 6~24 | 6~24 | 6~24 | 6~20 | 6~20 | 6~24 |
| Lifting speed | m/min | 0.81~8.1 | 0.73~7.3 | 0.58~5.8 | 0.49~4.9 | 0.4~4 | 0.37~3.7 | 0.32~3.2 | 0.25~2.5 | 0.24~2.4 | 0.21~2.1 | 0.2~2 |
| Trolley speed | m/min | 3.3~33 | 3.2~32 | 3.2~32 | 3.36~33.6 | 2.9~29 | 2.92~29.2 | 2.9~29 | 2.65~26.5 | 2.5~25 | 2.5~25 | 2.4~24 |
| Crane speed | m/min | 6.8~68 | 5.4~54 | 5.4~54 | 5.6~56 | 5.4~54 | 4.8~48 | 5.26~52.6 | 4.67~46.7 | 5.2~52 | 5.2~52 | 4.15~41.5 |
| Work duty | A3~A5 | A3~A5 | A3~A5 | A3~A5 | A3~A5 | A3~A5 | A3~A5 | A3~A5 | A3~A5 | A3~A5 | A3~A5 | |
| Track type | P38 P43 | P43 | P43 | QU70 | QU80 | QU100 | QU100 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | |
| Technical Parameter of AQ-MG Double Girder Gantry Crane | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | t | 5 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 32 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 160 | 200 | 250 | 320 | 400 | 450 | 500 |
| Span | S(m) | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 | 18~35 |
| Lifting height | m | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 | 6~18 |
| Lifting speed | m/min | 11.5 | 8.5 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 6 | 5.9 | 4.7 | 3.9 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Trolley speed | m/min | 37.2 | 37.4 | 40.1 | 40 | 37 | 31.3 | 38.2 | 33.9 | 22.5 | 29 | 28 | 16.6 | 10 | 10 | 11.5 |
| Crane speed | m/min | 37.7 | 37.7 | 40.1 | 40.1 | 38 | 44 | 38.3 | 32.3 | 28 | 28 | 50 | 28 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
| Work duty | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | A3-A7 | |
| Track type | P43 | P43 | P43 QU70 | P43 QU70 | P50 QU80 | QU80 | QU80 | QU100 | QU100 | QU100 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | |
| Technical Parameter of AQ-QZ Double Girder Grab Bucket Bridge Crane | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | t | 10 | 16 | 20 |
| Span | S(m) | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 |
| Lifting height | m | 6~18 | 6~26 | 6~26 |
| Lifting speed | m/min | 39.3 | 32.7 | 30.7 |
| Trolley speed | m/min | 31.7 | 31.1 | 31.1 |
| Crane speed | m/min | 86.5 | 75.1 | 76.9 |
| Work duty | A5~A7 | A5~A7 | A5~A7 | |
| Track type | P43 QU70 | QU70 | QU70 | |
| Technical Parameter of AQ-QC Electromagnetic Crane | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | t | 10 | 16 | 20 | 32 | 50 |
| Span | S(m) | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 |
| Lifting height | m | 6~16 | 6~16 | 6~16 | 6~18 | 6~16 |
| Lifting speed | m/min | 13.3 | 13 | 9.7 | 9.5 | 7.8 |
| Trolley speed | m/min | 37.4 | 40.1 | 40 | 37 | 31.3 |
| Crane speed | m/min | 70.6 | 74.3 | 75.1 | 64.9 | 58.5 |
| Work duty | A5~A7 | A5~A7 | A5~A7 | A5~A7 | A5~A7 | |
| Track type | P38 P43 | P43 | P43 | QU70 | QU80 | |
| Technical Parameter of AQ-YZ Casting Crane | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | t | 10 | 16 | 20 | 32 | 50 | 74 | 100 | 125 | 140 | 160 | 180 | 200 | 225 | 240 | 280 | 320 |
| Span | S(m) | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 10.5~31.5 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 | 13~31 |
| Lifting height | m | 6~16 | 6~16 | 6~16 | 6~16 | 6~16 | 6~20 | 6~20 | 6~20 | 6~22 | 6~22 | 6~24 | 6~24 | 6~24 | 6~24 | 6~24 | 6~24 |
| Lifting speed | m/min | 13 | 10.8 | 9.9 | 9.7 | 7.6 | 6.4 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 6.84 | 6 | 7.2 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Trolley speed | m/min | 44.9 | 44.6 | 45.9 | 43.5 | 39.3 | 37.2 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 37 | 38 | 40 | 40 | 38 | 36 | 36 |
| Crane speed | m/min | 114.9 | 103.5 | 103.5 | 88 | 77.5 | 77 | 77 | 79.7 | 73 | 77.8 | 86 | 86 | 87 | 87 | 76 | 63 |
| Work duty | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | A6~A8 | |
| Track type | P38 P43 | P43 QU70 | P43 QU70 | QU70 | QU80 | QU100 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | QU120 | |
Let’s look at some of the most commonly used lifting devices for foundry cranes, each designed to meet specific needs of the foundry environment.
Foundry cranes lifting molten metal ladles requires specialized lifting devices that can handle extreme temperatures. Our custom ladle lifting devices are designed with heat-resistant materials and protective coatings to ensure the safety of operators and the integrity of the load. These devices can also feature tilt mechanisms to help pour molten metal into molds or other containers.
Electromagnetic lifting devices are perfect for foundries dealing with steel or iron products. The electromagnetic overhead cranes in a foundry use electromagnets to lift heavy metal parts such as billets, ingots, and scrap metal. Custom electromagnetic lifters can be tailored to accommodate various shapes and sizes of metal components, offering a secure grip without damaging the material. These devices are ideal for applications where traditional hooks or slings would be inefficient or unsafe.
For foundries that work with steel coils or other cylindrical materials, custom coil tongs are an essential tool. These tongs are designed to securely grip and lift steel coils without causing deformation or damage. Coil tongs are built to handle coils of varying sizes and weights, ensuring that the coil handling crane in foundry is both versatile and reliable.
Tilt-rotator systems for foundry cranes are crucial when handling large, heavy, and delicate loads that require rotating or tilting during the lifting process. Custom tilt-rotator systems can rotate loads in precise increments, improving flexibility and control when lifting heavy castings or molten metal ladles. These systems are particularly useful for tasks like pouring metal from ladles or placing large molds into position.
Grabs are essential lifting devices for foundries that need to handle bulk materials, such as scrap metal. These grabs have a unique design that allows them to “grab” and lift large volumes of materials with ease. Custom crane grab buckets can be designed with varying bucket sizes, shapes, and capacities to meet the specific needs of a foundry’s operations. They can be equipped with hydraulic or mechanical opening and closing mechanisms for secure gripping, and heavy-duty materials ensure they can withstand the wear and tear of high-impact lifting.
Billet tongs are specially designed lifting devices used to grab and hold steel billets during their transportation through the foundry. Typically, these tongs have adjustable gripping arms to accommodate billets of varying sizes. Made from high-strength steel, these tongs are built to endure the high temperatures and pressures involved in handling steel products. The locking mechanisms ensure a secure grip on the billets, preventing slippage or accidental release during lifting and transport.
Foundry cranes are subjected to high heat, dust, and abrasive environments, so the installation process is more complex than regular overhead bridge cranes. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved in installing a foundry crane:
Before any physical installation begins, a comprehensive site survey is conducted. The following factors are evaluated:
After the survey, we will prepare a detailed installation plan, including custom drawings if required, and confirm the compatibility of the crane with the building’s structure.
Once the site has been prepared, assembly begins. The foundry crane will typically be delivered in components: main girders, end trucks, hoists, trolley, control system, and other related accessories.
After the crane is assembled, the alignment and calibration of the system are essential to ensure smooth operation:
After the crane is installed and aligned, it undergoes a thorough load testing phase. This phase is especially critical for foundry cranes due to the hazardous environment they operate in. The following steps are taken:
Once the crane passes the load tests and inspection, it undergoes the final commissioning process. This includes final adjustments and checks to ensure that all functions (hoisting, traveling, turning) are in optimal working condition.
Before the crane is handed over to the customer, our team provides operator training. In a foundry, operators need to be specifically trained to handle the unique safety hazards associated with molten metal and other dangerous materials.
In order to ensure your foundry crane is set up quickly, safely, and effectively, Aicrane also offers installation support to customers worldwide:
By choosing Aicrane, you benefit from not only high-quality cranes but also expert overhead crane installation services that ensure your equipment will provide years of reliable and safe operation in the harsh foundry environment.
Investing in a foundry crane is a major decision that will impact the safety, efficiency, and productivity of your operations. By choosing Aicrane, you’re selecting a partner who understands the complexities of the foundry industry and is committed to providing high-quality, tailored solutions.
Here is why choosing Aicrane for your foundry crane needs is a smart decision for your operations.
We know that a one-size-fits-all solution won’t work in the foundry industry, which is why we offer customized crane solutions designed specifically for your operation. From regular overhead cranes to scrap handling cranes or molten metal handling cranes, we work closely with you to design a solution that meets your exact foundry lifting requirements.
We design our foundry cranes to be robust and reliable, using premium materials and advanced manufacturing techniques. We focus on durability, ensuring that each crane performs consistently over the long term, even in the most challenging environments.
At Aicrane, we offer foundry cranes that combine high quality with competitive pricing. Through streamlined production processes, efficient supply chain management, and in-house manufacturing of key components, we are able to reduce costs without compromising on performance or safety.
We offer exceptional after-sales service and support, ensuring that your crane continues to perform optimally throughout its lifespan, including maintenance services, spare parts supply, and more. Our dedicated after-sales team is always here to support you, ensuring that your foundry operations run smoothly for years to come.
Searching for a dependable foundry crane manufacturer? Get in touch with us today for a customized quote and discover how Aicrane can support your foundry’s operations with cost-effective, high-performance lifting solutions!