A foundry bridge crane, also called a casting bridge crane, is specifically designed for high-temperature, heavy-duty, and frequent operation environments in the metallurgical industry. It is mainly used in processes such as steelmaking, rolling, and casting, handling high-temperature and heavy loads such as ladles of molten steel, steel ingots, and rolled materials.
Compared with a standard double girder overhead crane, the foundry bridge crane offers significant enhancements in:
- Structural Strength– Reinforced to handle extremely heavy and dynamic loads.
- High-Temperature Resistance– Components and materials designed to withstand the extreme heat of molten metal handling.
- Safety Protection– Advanced safety measures to ensure reliable operation in hazardous environments.
I. Features of a Foundry (Casting) Bridge Crane
1. Extreme Environment Adaptability
High-Temperature Protection
- Key components such as main girdersand trolley frames are equipped with thermal insulation layers (e.g., rock wool boards + high-temperature steel plates). The operator cabin and electrical room are fully insulated and fitted with cooling devices (typically industrial air conditioners) to ensure the safety and proper operation of personnel and electrical equipment.
- Motors, gear reducers, and other transmission components use high-temperature-resistant lubricants(operating temperature ≥ 200°C) and are equipped with forced air-cooling systems.
Load-Bearing Design
- The wire ropes are made of high-temperature-resistant steel core wire ropes(metal core or metallic strand core).
- Pulley assemblies on the hook block or hoisting devices, as well as fixed pulleys on the trolley, are fully enclosed, suitable for high-dust environments. This design effectively extends component service life and reduces maintenance frequency.
2. Multiple Safety Features
•Hoisting Mechanism
- All motors have insulation rated at Class Hand protection rating IP54.
- The main hoisting motor is equipped with an overspeed switch, ensuring that the safety brake on the drum end engages immediately in case of failure.
- High-speed shafts of the hoisting gearbox are fitted with dual brakesat both ends, and the drum end has an additional safety disc brake.
- The hoisting drum is welded, and most pulleys are rolled pulleys.
- When the main hoisting mechanism uses two drive units, if one motor or electrical control unit fails, the other drive unit must be capable of completing a full working cycle at the rated load capacity.
Specialized Devices for Ladle Handling
- Equipped with anti-sway stabilizersand tilt sensorsto monitor the ladle’s horizontal position in real time. If the deviation exceeds 3°, an automatic alarm is triggered.
- Hook blocks are made of forged steel, with a breaking load of at least five times the rated capacityunder normal operating conditions.
II. Technical Requirements for Key Components of a Foundry (Casting) Bridge Crane
Rated Lifting Capacity Series
The foundry bridge crane is available in a wide range of rated lifting capacities, including:
YZ5t, YZ10t, YZ16/3.2t, YZ20/5t, YZ32/5t, YZ50/10t, YZ74/20t, YZ100/32t,
YZ125/32t, YZ140/40t, YZ160/40t, YZ180/50t, YZ200/50t, YZ225/65t, YZ240/75t,
YZ280/75t, YZ320/80t.
Main Girder Structure
- Constructed as a box girder with reinforcing ribsto prevent deformation under high-temperature conditions.
- Welding quality must be verified through ultrasonic testing (UT)and magnetic particle inspection (MT), in compliance with JB/T 5000.3 standard.
Power System
- Motors are selected from the YZP series variable-frequency crane motors with a power rating of ≥55 kW, insulation class H(resistant up to 180°C), and an overload capacity of 150% of rated power.
- Gear reducers use hardened tooth surface planetary gearboxes with a speed ratio deviation of ≤±1%, ensuring smooth transmission under heavy loads.
Classification of Foundry (Casting) Bridge Cranes
1.Based on Bridge Structure:
- Double Girder Bridge Crane
- Four-Girder Bridge Crane
2.Based on Trolley Arrangement:
- Single Trolley Type
- Master-Auxiliary Trolley Type(also called main and auxiliary trolley arrangement)
3.Based on Number of Lifting Points:
- Single Lifting Point Type
- Double Lifting Point Type
III. How to Select the Right Foundry (Casting) Bridge Crane
1.Compliance and Certification
- The crane must comply with the Regulations on Safety Supervision of Special Equipmentand obtain the TSG Special Equipment Manufacturing License. Design documents should pass type tests to ensure safety and reliability.
2.Manufacturer Qualifications
- Prioritize manufacturers with experience in metallurgical crane production(e.g., Henan Weihua, Taiyuan Heavy Industry), and review their case studies and performance in the casting industry.
3.Ease of Maintenance
- Components in high-temperature environments are prone to wear. Pay attention to features such as maintenance platformsand lubrication systems(e.g., automatic centralized lubrication) to reduce maintenance difficulty.
4. Intelligent Upgrades
- Optional systems include remote monitoring (e.g., PLC networked systems) and fault diagnosis modules to track equipment status in real time, preventing failures caused by high temperatures.
HSCRANE holds the Special Equipment Manufacturing License and specializes in the research, development, and production of overhead cranes. We have provided reliable crane solutions to over 300 enterprises, emphasizing attention to detail and high-quality manufacturing. Our goal is to deliver practical and dependable lifting solutions that enhance efficiency in industrial production.
If you have any questions regarding overhead crane equipment, please contact us immediately. Our team of professional engineers is ready to provide expert guidance and support.
