Overhead crane technology to improve production efficiencies at its Adelaide facility

Adsteel, an Australia-based diversified steel trading and distribution company has turned to Konecranes and its CXT overhead crane technology to improve production efficiencies at its Adelaide facility.

The newest crane system complements three existing CXT cranes at the Australia business, which are used for lifting and moving steel. The company supplies a range of products including plate, sheet, tubular, structural and merchant bars. According to Steve Trowbridge,

operations manager at Adsteel, service is "everything" in the steel industry and the company's positive experiences with Konecranes made the latest investment a logical choice.

"I was looking to upgrade an old workshop crane, but after thorough research, a cost-benefit analysis and a business impact evaluation, we concluded that it would be more cost-efficient to install a new crane. Konecranes were really thorough and clearly had a lot of expertise in the steel industry," he explains. Konecranes' CLX overhead chain hoist crane is pitched at customers requiring a combination of performance, safety and reliability during lifts, the CLX range is available in capacities from 500kg up to 5t.

According to the manufacturer, the system comprises durable components and a variety of technical features that ensure smooth and accurate load handling. John Jackman, branch manager for Northern Territory and South Australia, explains that in order to achieve "optimum cost-efficiency" for Adsteel, the manufacturer offered them a rigid girder structure. Cost savings were made possible thanks to the use of inverter hoisting to reduce shock loading often seen on steel warehouse cranes.

He adds: "A guaranteed reduction in ongoing maintenance costs-such as couplings and brakes-made the additional purchase price of inverter hoisting justifiable, given that the variable speed control would stop excessive inching from the operators.

"Additionally, extended speed range (ESR) would increase the empty cycle or light lifting cycle speeds, helping the customer move more steel safely." The CLX chain hoist is specified with a compact aluminium frame that allows for easy access during maintenance. Additionally, the crane features a new magnetic brake that is capable of handling more than one million operations, which in real terms will serve the entire lifespan of the actual hoist.

The brake and a slipping clutch overload device are also designed to prevent the load from dropping or micro slipping in the event of clutch failure or an unexpected external hazard.

Adsteel's Trowbridge explains that he is impressed by the operational efficiency across the four Konecranes units, citing them as efficient, safe and operating at good speeds.

"My cycle times have improved with the new CXT crane and my operators love it. Importantly for us, they're also backed up by efficient service from Konecranes," he adds.

The CXT system was also specified with the manufacturer's latest LED lighting system. According to Konecranes, this is said to help decrease power consumption and also improve lighting around critical lifting operations, a feature that ended up being retrofitted to Adsteel's existing Konecranes units..

"These additional features really help the operators. For me it's all about safety and efficiency, but comfort and ease-of-use are important to the crane operators, and I'm pleased that Konecranes could tick all the boxes," concludes Trowbridge