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3.
March
2015.
Cranes in Corrosive Production Areas to Benefit from Upgraded Hoists

Galvanising and finishing plant productivity is reliant on the vital role played by overhead cranes. A major potential problem for all equipment is the presence of highly corrosive degrease and flux agents that produce finely vaporised hydrochloric acid in the atmosphere.

Street Crane Company, the UK’s largest factory crane and hoist producer, has developed a range of modified and upgraded hoists to address the corrosive environmental challenges. These are based on the ZX Hoist platform, a modern wire rope unit that has proven extremely reliable in normal manufacturing use.

Standard finishes and materials degrade easily in highly aggressive conditions, to overcome this ZX Hoist steel components are hand finished in a two-part epoxy paint. These epoxy resins are stable and unaffected by many acids and aggressive chemicals.

PVC and other standard plastics are prone to accelerated degradation in intensely acidic environments so brass cable glands are used in place of plastic, rubber insulated cable in place of PVC and customary limit switches are replaced with metal bodied components. The trolley brake is fitted with a stainless steel back plate to resist the pitting and corrosion that could reduce brake performance. Rope guides are also modified with the body and block being made from high density white polyethylene.

The motors used on these ZX Hoists are specified for purpose and include heavy duty cast iron cooling fans. Care is taken in sealing the hoist brake and overload assembly which is housed in a protective enclosure.

Extensively used by galvanisers and other finishing companies in the UK, Street Crane also export this equipment widely and have users in Finland, Thailand, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and elsewhere. Local service and support is provided by a world-wide network of distributors. 


More information
Chris Lindley-Smith, Tel. +44 (0)1298 812456 Fax. +44 (0)1298 814 945
E-mail: admin@streetcrane.co.uk Web: www.streetcrane.co.uk
Street Crane Company, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak, SK23 0PH, UK

Images are at www.ainsmag.co.uk/st165/5355st1a-cranes-for-corrosive-environments.htm