AJIN USA will supply parts to Kia and Hyundai for more than 240,000 vehicles.  Parts produced in this highly automated environment will include radiator supports, bumper panels, seat belt brackets and air bag brackets, for the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santafe models.  AJIN’s first production run is scheduled for December of 2009.

As Jeff Daugherty, Atlanta Crane & Automated Handling’s (ACAH) Alabama division manager, explains, the operation relies upon seven Demag overhead cranes, built by certified Demag builder Atlanta Crane & Automated Handling, Inc.

The 320,000 sq ft building houses three 20t cranes with 10t auxiliary hoists that share a common trolley.  The cranes will have a span of 76ft 9in, 32ft of available lift, and a full length walkway.

Also installed are two 30t cranes with 15t auxiliary hoists that, again, share a common trolley and have a full length walkway.  The cranes have a span of 76ft 9in with 32ft of available lift.

Two other 30t/15t and 20t/10t capacity cranes both have a span of 66ft 2in with 32 ft of available lift, and again have a full length walkway.

All of the cranes are operated by HBC-radiomatic radio remote controls with plug in pushbutton station back up. These cranes will be used for metal stamping-die changing and for movement and storage of steel coils.

Atlanta Crane and AJIN USA opted for the DR PRO hoist, the new generation wire rope hoist from Demag Cranes & Components.

Jeff Daugherty explains:  “There were many reasons why this hoist/crane was so appealing.  The inherent maintenance record keeping characteristics of the hoist tracks the motor starts, operating time, load spectrum information, and brake condition.  It records faults and displays codes for quick repair determination if necessary.  

“With a 20% higher duty rating than most hoists on the market, these hoists are a perfect match for the constant changing of the metal stamping dies. This hoist will also protect itself against plugging and excessive jogging.”

Dennis Bethel, president of Atlanta Crane & Automated Handling, points out how important the future automation of the cranes would be to the facility:  “The DR product line is an excellent choice for a completely automated crane.  Systems integration and automation of cranes is one of our areas of expertize and we knew that AJIN USA will be doing more automation in the future.” 

These cranes were built at Atlanta Crane’s new manufacturing facility using their new state of the art automated welding system.  With the addition of the new manufacturing facility, ACAH will be able to build more than a hundred cranes per year.

“This project demonstrated how the teamwork between Atlanta Crane and Demag provided an exceptional value to AJIN USA,” says John Paxton, President of Demag Cranes and Components – North America.

“The combination of Demag’s advanced hoist products and overhead crane technology and the local sales, fabrication, installation and service capabilities of Atlanta Crane provided a complete and cost effective solution for the customer,” Paxton continued.

ACAH has been a Demag dealer for 35 years and is the largest in the Southeast with nationwide rankings in the top 5 every year in dealer sales.

  • Atlanta Crane & Automated Handling, Inc. is a complete material handling systems integrator based in the Southeastern States.  In addition to cranes, they provide automated conveyor systems, storage systems, robotics, and AGV’s.