Our last encounter with a pivotal bridge crane system took a critical look at the physics involved in the transporting of heavy loads across a production floor. We considered inertial forces and sway characteristics and how these forces could compromise safe operation. Moving away from these fundamental movement properties, we intend to investigate the versatility of the design. A pivotal bridge crane mechanism appropriates and improves upon the standard overhead travelling bridge crane framework by expanding on the 3-axis model that’s held up so well over the last few decades. Still manufactured to move forward and back, left and right, the tracking action also articulates, oscillates, and therefore introduces a rotational element to the motion of the crane.
Compare the above function with conventional overhead bridge cranes. These constructs are limited by their ability to move in a straight line. Even though that line can switch direction, the direction will inevitably remain at 90 degrees to the previous axis of movement. Therefore, we reiterate that the pivotal bridge crane mechanism is directed at a faster and more versatile workflow, one that sidesteps the jams associated with conventional versions of the overhead cranes used in production facilities. In watching the improved outline of the pivotal variant, any machine operator is quickly turned into a believer as the end carriages of the pivotal system move at an oblique angle. The motion facilitates the navigation of suspended loads across a messy production environment as the bridge girder angles the cargo and navigates a cargo smoothly onto its final destination.
This core functionality is the key to avoiding the breakdowns and jams that are seen in standard overhead cranes. Why should this be the case? Well, the smooth action adopted by the pivotal system can’t be duplicated by a straight line model. These models are limited to staggered movements, a few meters to the left followed by a right-angle twist that acts as a course correction. All this stopping and switching of direction serves only to place an electrical and mechanical strain on the system while the pivotal equivalent sails through the same scene with a swing of one end carriage. Smoother and safer to operate, the pivoting design is currently being adopted by many top-of-the-line manufacturing facilities.
The demonstrated advantages of the system are numerous, but let’s focus on the benefits that relate to engineering principles and operational ease. First of all, the design allows for the incorporation of a bridge that can extend as far as 12 meters, which is currently the longest of its type. Next, the system is inherently safe as it cleverly employs those often tricky laws of physics in service of workflow productivity. The oscillating function reduces stress, allowing an operator to redirect the suspended load with a flick of a wrist. The freedom of angular movement incorporated within the long bridge also enables the tracking end of the girder to absorb or balance any residual momentum and cancel inertial forces, thus safeguarding the operator and demonstrating an excellence in safety that matches the workflow enhancements of the pivotal design.
