Optimising factory cranes operation

August 11, 2014 12:05 pm

 In a factory, cranes need to be scheduled so as not to interfere with each other to achieve reliable operation in time. That’s where scheduling of factory cranes becomes important, something which has been less talked about
(Satis)Factory crane scheduling Factory crane scheduling means allowing one or more hoists to move along a single horizontal track that is normally mounted on the ceiling.  When a production schedule for the plant is drawn up, cranes must be available to move materials from one processing unit to another at the desired times.
One crane may be required to yield (move out of the way) to permit another crane to pick up or deliver its load. Basically scheduling means managing of moment of EOT cranes in factory.
Need and importance of factory crane schedulingNow the question arises that is it that much essential to have factory crane scheduling in practice? Well, to know this, its need and importance should be understood.
“The importance of a crane starts from the construction of the factory itself, the capacity and weight of the crane are fundamental for the design of the factory structure,” says Saikat Bagchi, Director-Marketing, Sales and Business Development, Jaso India Pvt. Ltd. He adds, “The crane should be the first machine installed in the factory, because it will help in the installation of all the other machines. A proper and organised scheduling will save time and money to the company.”
Safety measures While operating such critical equipment like crane in factory operations, it becomes very necessary to implement some overall safety measures, especially for workers in order to have their safety. This in turn ensures smooth, reliable as well as trouble-free operation.
“Demag Cranes works towards the objective of ‘Zero Harm’. Zero harm means think safe, work safe and home safe,” explains Deepak Desai, General Manager, Operations, Demag Cranes & Components (I) Pvt. Ltd. “To achieve this objective, roadmaps which cover various safety and environmental improvement aspects are tracked and monitored by the management team through use of mile markers within the road map. Safety performance of the organisation is also tracked through different leading and lagging indicators. Initiatives are being taken to ensure involvement of all team members in the journey towards zero harm.”
Commenting on the safety measures practised by Jaso India, Mr Bagchi informs, “We offer safety measures like running alarm or horn, overload limit switch, 3ph indications, anti-collision devices, emergency stop provisions and limit switches for hoisting and travelling etc.”
Products offered todayIn the area of factory crane scheduling, to get desired results, it is required to have efficient and reliable equipment used for the purpose. The good sign is that the current players are offering pretty promising products and services from their side to meet the ever-growing requirements of the market. Let us go through the same. “Demag Cranes, being a Terex brand, is one of the world leaders in the areas of in-plant material movement and industrial drive solutions. Having served the Indian market since 1997, the company caters to the needs of its customers with the high standards of innovation and quality,” assures Mr Desai. “In India, Demag Cranes offers a wide range of products and services, which is a perfect blend of German designing standards and Indian manufacturing expertise.”
The product range offered by Demag includes:• Process cranes: for heavy duty ranging from 50T to 400T• Standard cranes: for medium duty applications ranging from 2T to 80T• Modular cranes: for automobile and workshop applications• Hoists and accessories• Drives.
Moreover, Demag offers after sales services including installation and commissioning, professional crane audits, annual maintenance contracts and health check ups, refurbishment, safety inspections, and training.
“The manufacturing facility at our Chakan plant has standard cranes, process cranes and jib cranes in operation. The installed cranes are workshop duty cranes intended for medium duty usage. Neither continuous nor batch production takes place at the plant,” informs Mr Desai. “As each crane is customised to customer requirements, job manufacturing activity is followed. One jib crane is assigned for each work station and material flow and transfer between two work stations is catered to by overhead travelling cranes. To ensure optimum flow and maximum usage of all work stations, multiple overhead cranes have been installed in each bay.”
Jaso India offers EOT cranes, monorails, jib cranes, transfer trollies, gantry cranes, solo rope hoists, cantilever cranes, etc. in factory cranes category.
ConclusionTo make factory operations satisfactory, it is essential to have a crane scheduling in practice. However, needless to say, it needs to be developed in required directions as well so as to meet the increasing needs of different operations.
————————The importance of a crane starts from the construction of the factory itself, the capacity and weight of the crane are fundamental for the design of the factory structure
Saikat Bagchi, Director-Marketing, Sales and Business Development, Jaso India Pvt. Ltd. ———————–
———————–Demag Cranes works towards the objective of ‘Zero Harm’. Zero harm means think safe, work safe and home safe
Deepak Desai, General Manager, Operations, Demag Cranes & Components (I) Pvt. Ltd.