Heripret has designed, produced and installed a 40 ton overhead crane with a 25 ton auxiliary for handling 35 ton moulds at a metallurgy works. The lifting and handling parts of such weight requires lifting equipment with absolute reliability and a very high degree of positioning precision.
“The client was already a customer of Heripret for its maintenance and modernization works and this project came about because it needed to replace existing material already in place,” said Daniel Maitrepierre president, Heripret. “It took nine months to complete in total and the challenges were the exceptional load capacity of 40t and 34m span, because the customer needed motion precision for some specific tools under the crane. We overcame this using inverters for stepless speed on all motions (hoisting, travelling, crossing).
“The customer was fully satisfied with the lead time as everything was done 100% on time without any issues. The crane is working in perfect integration with the production processes as requested. We see a lot of changes within the industry regarding safety, ergonomic design, easy maintenance and preventative maintenance. Also in the way of data on the cranes lifting devices, which is available at a distance on a computer or smartphone. From the rate of use, to log of over intensity, average load carry from the hook. This is achieved by using more sensor and data transmission from the lifting unit.
“Heripret has a specific engineering department for digital automation, Industry 4.0 and new technologies. This has been created to answer increasing specific requests from the client and we recently hired a specialist to analyse market trends. Next, we will continue to keep an eye on what’s coming up and keep track of any new standards to keep one step ahead.”
Heripret has over 40 years’ experience in the manufacture and maintenance of overhead cranes for overhead handling using rotating hooks, for loads from 125 kg to 120 tons and spans of up to 35 meters. The company is a partner of Verlinde and a member of the after-sales and Europont networks.
Based in the Pas de Calais department, an industrial basin for metallurgy and the automobile industry, Heripret works with numerous sub-contractors in this field.
The metallurgy company was looking for a technical solution for lifting and turning a new 35-ton mould used for stamping parts for the automotive industry, the two existing bridges now at the limit of their rated load. For its new stamping unit, the company renovated an old steel industry facility, which was part of its building stock. The large empty building had the capacity to accommodate an overhead crane.
The manufacturer chose Heripret, because it has fully maintained all of its lifting equipment since 2018, and took account of the quality of its service offering and as well as those regarding its Verlinde equipment, which is acknowledged by these industries for their precision and reliability.
Heripret proposed a 40 ton bridge together with a 25 ton auxiliary trolley with an exceptional reach adapted to the existing 34-meter structure. They are fitted with Eurobloc VT 512 twin rail electric wire rope hoists, customized as necessary.
The 40 ton trolley lifts the 40 ton steel mould and then the 25 ton auxiliary trolley tilts it. This turning upside down is necessary for the opening of the mould and its maintenance.
Such manipulation requires a very precise control of movement. This is why the variable speed drive of the VT hoist as well as its load calculation mode between the two trolleys are essential. The speed allowed by the hoist is very slow: on average between 0.1 meters/minute and 5.1 meters/minute. The positioning of the load in the press is therefore extremely precise.
The structures of the overhead crane are equipped with a maintenance gangway. The switch cabinet brings together all the electrical equipment in a single cabinet. A walkway on the overhead crane provides easy and safe access to the travel motors and steering trolleys. It also allows rapid repairs and maintenance in complete safety.
As the parts produced are intended for an automotive subcontractor, the cranes that are used are fully loaded six days a week. The equipment must therefore be reliable. Heripret matches the installation with its express maintenance and repair service contract 24/7, even during public holidays. This availability perfectly meets the constraints of the company.
Since installation, operation of the bridges has been faultless and the customer has continued to work with Heripret for retrofitting its existing transfer trolleys.
