16 Ton Single Girder Overhead Crane
Products Description
A 16-ton single girder overhead crane is a cost-effective lifting solution for light to medium-duty industrial applications, commonly used in factories and warehouses . It is generally considered the maximum capacity for a single girder design; for heavier loads, a double girder crane would be more suitable .
Here are the key features of a 16-ton single girder overhead crane, compiled from leading crane manufacturers .
Design & Structure
Single Girder Bridge: A single main beam (either a robust rolled steel section or a welded box girder) spans the width of the workspace, making it lighter and more affordable .
Under-Running Hoist: The hoist travels along the bottom flange of the main girder, which is a defining feature of this crane type and helps to maximize the use of space .
Performance & Efficiency
Capacity & Span: Designed for a safe working load of up to 16 tons. It can achieve spans of up to 36 meters or more, depending on the specific model and girder type .
Cost-Effectiveness: This is a primary advantage. The simpler structure requires less material, leading to a lower initial investment compared to double-girder cranes. It also puts less stress on the building structure, which can save on installation and facility reinforcement costs .
Space-Saving & Low Headroom: Its compact design is ideal for workshops with low ceilings or limited space. Various main girder connection options allow for an optimized hook path, making the most of the available vertical lifting height .
Operation & Safety
Flexible Control Options: The crane can be operated safely and precisely via a pendant control, a cabin, or a radio remote control .
Smooth & Precise Handling: Options for variable frequency drives (VFDs) enable smooth, low-sway load handling and accurate positioning. Synchronized dual-hoist systems are also available for handling long or awkward loads .
Safety Features: Standard features include overload protection, limit switches (for hoist up/down and crane travel), and emergency stop buttons. Additional options like anti-sway systems and anti-corrosion treatments are available for specific needs .
Pictures & Components
🏗️ Structural Components
Main Girder: The primary load-bearing structure, usually a welded box girder or a rolled I-beam .
End Carriages: Located at both ends of the main girder, supporting the bridge and housing the long travel drive mechanisms .
Runway System: The rails and supports that the crane travels along .
⚙️ Lifting Mechanism
Hoist Unit: The core component for lifting and lowering loads. A 16-ton crane typically uses an electric wire rope hoist (e.g., CD1/MD1 type) .
Hook Block: The forged steel hook assembly that attaches to the load .
Trolley Frame: The structure that carries the hoist and enables its lateral movement along the main girder .
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Electric Wire Rope Hoist
Provides lifting and lowering functions.
Generally includes a lifting motor, gearbox, rope drum, wire rope, hook block, brake, and limit switch.
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Motion Systems
Long Travel Drive: Motors and gearboxes on the end carriages that move the entire crane along the runway .
Trolley Drive: The motor and mechanism that moves the hoist and trolley along the main girder .
Crane Traveling Mechanism
Consists of traveling motors, gearboxes, drive wheels, shafts, and related components.
Moves the entire crane along the workshop runway.
⚡ Electrical & Control Systems
Electrical System: Includes the power supply (conductor bars or festoon system), control panel with contactors, and wiring .
Control Interface: The operator's console, which can be a pendant control, a cabin, or a radio remote control .
Safety Devices: Limit switches, overload protection, emergency stop buttons, and buffers .
Crane Traveling Mechanism
Consists of traveling motors, gearboxes, drive wheels, shafts, and related components.
Moves the entire crane along the workshop runway.
🔧 Optional Components (Customizable)
Below-the-Hook Devices: Such as electromagnets, vacuum lifters, or spreader beams for specialized loads .
Advanced Controls: Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for smooth operation and anti-sway systems .
Hook Block
Used to connect the crane with lifting slings or other lifting accessories.
Designed according to the rated lifting capacity.
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Electrical Control System
Includes the control panel, contactors, relays, switches, cables, and other electrical components.
Controls lifting, trolley travel, and crane travel operations.
Control Device
Can be equipped with a pendant push-button control, wireless radio remote control, or operator cabin, depending on the project requirements.
Sketch
Safety Protection Devices
Include overload limiter, upper/lower lifting limit switches, travel limit switches, emergency stop, buffers, and other safety devices.
Runway Wheels and Rails
The crane traveling wheels run on the workshop runway rails.
The runway system provides the supporting path for longitudinal crane movement.
Main technical
Advantages
💰 Cost-Effective Lifting Solution
These cranes are a very economical choice for several reasons . Their single girder design uses less material, leading to a lower purchase price. They are also lighter and more compact than double-girder models, which can save on freight and installation costs. The low headroom design can reduce building construction costs, as it makes more efficient use of space .
📐 Space-Saving and Flexible Design
A primary advantage is the ability to fit into workshops with low ceilings or limited space . The "low headroom" design often does not require additional safety clearances below the ceiling, allowing for optimal use of the available vertical space . This helps achieve the highest possible hook position, which is crucial for maximizing lifting height in buildings with height restrictions . Different main girder connection variants also allow the crane to be adapted to suit various factory building layouts .
⚙️ High Performance and Efficiency
Modern 16-ton single girder cranes are designed for smooth and efficient operation. Their lightweight construction puts less stress on the building's runway beams and reduces overall energy consumption . Optional variable frequency drives (VFDs) enable low-sway travel motions for precise load positioning, which enhances both safety and productivity . They are engineered for reliability with a long service life and low maintenance requirements .
🛡️ Safety and Customization
These cranes are manufactured to meet rigorous international design standards (such as FEM and ISO), ensuring high levels of safety and reliability . They can be controlled via a pendant or radio remote, and are equipped with essential safety devices like overload protection and limit switches . Furthermore, a wide range of optional features is available to customize the crane for specific operational needs .
Application
🏭 By Industry
| Industry | Specific Applications |
|---|---|
| Steel & Metal Processing | Lifting and moving steel coils, plates, pipes, and structural beams. Feeding raw materials into furnaces or rolling mills. Handling finished products in stockyards. |
| Machinery Manufacturing | Positioning heavy components (e.g., engine blocks, gearboxes, press frames) on assembly lines. Assisting with machine tool setup and maintenance. Loading/unloading heavy workpieces onto CNC machines or lathes. |
| Automotive Industry | Moving car body shells, stamping dies, and powertrain components. Servicing heavy equipment in maintenance bays. Assisting with prototype assembly. |
| Warehousing & Logistics | Loading and unloading heavy cargo from trucks or railcars. Transferring goods between storage racks and processing areas. Handling oversized or bulky items that forklifts cannot easily manage. |
| Construction Materials | Moving precast concrete elements, rebar bundles, and timber. Loading finished building materials onto delivery vehicles. |
| Chemical & Petrochemical | Lifting and positioning pipes, valves, and reactor components during plant maintenance. Handling raw material drums or bags. |
| Power Generation | Maintaining turbines, generators, and transformers. Lifting heavy spare parts in power plants. |
| Paper & Pulp Industry | Handling large paper rolls for loading, unloading, and processing in converting lines. |
| Shipbuilding & Repair | Moving smaller ship components, engine parts, and equipment within fabrication bays or repair workshops. |
| Aerospace | Assisting with maintenance and assembly of aircraft parts, such as landing gear or engine components, in hangars. |
| Foundries & Forging Shops | Transporting hot metal, molds, and castings. Positioning workpieces under forging hammers or presses. |
⚙️ By Specific Task
| Task Type | Specific Use Cases |
|---|---|
| Production Feeding | Supplying raw materials (sheets, bars, billets) to saws, presses, shears, or welding stations. |
| Assembly Support | Lifting and holding heavy subassemblies in place for bolting, welding, or riveting. |
| Die & Mold Change | Quickly swapping heavy dies, molds, or tooling in stamping presses, injection molding machines, or die-casting equipment. |
| Maintenance & Repair | Removing and replacing heavy motors, pumps, gearboxes, and other machinery parts. |
| Loading/Unloading | Moving finished goods, pallets, or containers onto and off of trucks, flatbeds, or railcars. |
| Workstation Support | Serving as a dedicated lifting aid at individual workstations where operators need frequent heavy lifts. |
| Foundry Operations | Pouring molten metal and handling castings in foundries. |
| Custom Handling | Using specialized below-the-hook devices (electromagnets, vacuum lifters, spreader beams, C-hooks) for unique loads like sheets, pipes, or drums. |
Crane Production Procedure
🏗️ Stage 1: Steel Preparation and Pretreatment
Incoming Material Inspection: Raw materials, primarily steel plates and welding consumables, are inspected to verify they meet chemical composition and mechanical strength standards according to national specifications .
Surface Pretreatment: Steel plates undergo a cleaning process. Shot blasting is used to remove rust and mill scale, achieving a surface cleanliness grade of Sa2.5. This treatment prepares the surface for primer painting .
Primer Painting: Immediately after shot blasting, a protective primer coat is applied to prevent rust formation .
🔩 Stage 2: Fabrication of Metal Structure
This stage focuses on creating the crane's main structural components (main girder, end carriages).
Marking and Cutting: Shapes and processing lines are marked on the steel plates. Plates are then cut to size using high-precision CNC plasma cutting machines .
Plate Assembly and Welding: The cut plates are assembled into components like the main girder and end carriages.
Robotic Welding: Advanced manufacturers use intelligent welding robots and automatic double-sided welding technology for the main girder .
Submerged Arc Welding: Automatic submerged-arc welding is often used for longitudinal and fillet welds to ensure high strength and consistency .
Specialized Welding Processes: For specific components like the hoist drum, processes like "pre-bending by a press machine" and "edge rolling by a three-roller plate roll" are used before welding .
Weld Inspection: Critical butt welds are inspected using radiographic and ultrasonic testing to detect any internal flaws . Some manufacturers also mandate 100% ultrasonic testing on all key welds .
Heat Treatment (Stress Relieving): Large welded structures like the trolley frame and drum are placed in a natural gas annealing furnace to relieve internal stresses. This treatment ensures machining accuracy and dimensional stability .
Leveling and Secondary Processing: After welding and stress-relieving, plates are leveled and secondary cutting is performed to achieve final dimensions .
⚙️ Stage 3: Machining and Assembly
This stage involves creating and integrating all mechanical and electrical parts.
Machining of Parts: Components like wheels, axles, and shafts are machined using processes like milling, planning, grinding, and turning. Wheels and axles are also heat-treated for wear resistance .
Component Assembly (Sub-Assembly): Individual components such as the hoist, trolley, and travel mechanisms are assembled.
Wheel Assembly: Wheel assemblies are precisely positioned and welded or bolted to the trolley sides, often using specialized fixtures to ensure alignment .
Hoist Assembly: The electric hoist, which includes the motor, gearbox, drum, and rope, is assembled and integrated onto the trolley frame .
Electrical Assembly: The control panels are assembled and wired. To make maintenance easier, all cables are often coded with numbers .
🔧 Stage 4: Pre-Delivery and Quality Control
General Assembly (Trial Erection): The main girder, end carriages, trolley, and electrical systems are assembled at the factory. This crucial step ensures all parts fit together correctly and allows for a comprehensive function test .
General Inspection: After assembly, the entire crane undergoes a full quality inspection according to relevant standards and technical requirements. This includes testing of all safety devices, such as overload protection and limit switches. A certificate of conformance is issued for qualified cranes .
Final Painting: The crane receives its final coat of paint. An epoxy zinc-rich painting system (often 120μm thick) is common for durability and corrosion resistance . The final paint is also inspected for proper thickness and finish .
Disassembly and Delivery: For transportation, the crane is partially disassembled. Key components are marked with positioning blocks to facilitate accurate re-assembly at the customer's site .
Site Erection and Acceptance: The final production step involves erecting the crane at the customer's facility and performing an on-site acceptance test to confirm safe and proper operation .
Workshop view:
The company has installed an intelligent equipment management platform, and has installed 310 sets (sets) of handling and welding robots. After the completion of the plan, there will be more than 500 sets (sets), and the equipment networking rate will reach 95%. 32 welding lines have been put into use, 50 are planned to be installed, and the automation rate of the entire product line has reached 85%.
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