Innovation can happen at any time, in any industry or in any place, sometimes in the most unexpected places. Innovation in materials handling is constant, but crane girder innovation was stagnant for over 100 years. No one ever imagined innovation would come to the girder, but almost 150 years after the last innovation, came the next— the V-Girder. The latest generation of crane girders offers improved precision and flexibility you won’t find with an ordinary box girder.
Flexibility and Efficiency
The V-Type girder is the new generation of crane girders, creating more flexibility and efficiency in overhead crane installations. With those open ‘V’ wings, it’s easy to see why it’s called the V-Type. These wings are important because they cut the deadweight by an average of 17%, compared to conventional box-section, single girders. Lower deadweight reduces the forces transmitted to the existing support superstructure (aka the building or structure the crane is supported by) in both existing and new construction sites. That’s why if you are designing a new facility and need to put an overhead crane in, the V-Type girder gives you the greatest flexibility in your layout. Along with reducing deadweight, these wings are specially designed to accommodate pressure and tensile forces, reducing resonance frequency by 30%.
Longer Service Life
The reduced oscillation characteristics of the girder design subject the V-Type girder and the components used on the crane to lower loads. To break this down, oscillation is movement up and down. The design of the V-Type girder reduces the up and down movement so the load is more stable, thus reducing the wear of constant up and down movement. This girder delivers double the service life (500,000 changes of loads) when compared to cranes with a box girder.
Outdoor Use
Designing a crane that will be used outdoors adds additional details that need to be considered. One major consideration is wind. The wind never stops. Sometimes it’s so light you don’t feel it as it passes over your skin, while other times it creates dangerous weather conditions like tornadoes and hurricanes. Overhead cranes easily become victims of the weather. Because of its open wings, the V-Type girder is optimized for outdoor use, creating 55% less wind resistance than a box girder.
Improved Lighting
When using traditional girders, lighting can be blocked in the area around the crane. When using a traditional box girder, you may need to redesign the lighting in the area of the crane for safety. With its open design, the V- Type girder was designed to allow up to 30% more light through than a traditional box girder.
Double Girder V-Type Crane
Using the V-Type girder in a double girder crane setup brings added benefits to your project. Why? It can transport loads that are heavier than if you were to use a double, box-section
Since the girders are lighter, the V-Type girder can be matched to the building’s geometry to further customize the crane within a building. With different connections, it can be adapted so that the girder can match the volume/superstructure of the existing building rather than being constrained to only a few configurations. When being installed in a new building, the crane will fit into a smaller space between the crane and the roof, compared to a box girder.
Whether your project requires a single or double girder crane, the innovative V-Type girder has the potential to offer flexibility for your next project. You’ll experience these benefits whether you use it as a single or double girder overhead crane. Less is more and the V-Type girder’s wings give you advantages a traditional box girder can’t. Innovation happens in unexpected places and times, sometimes 150 years later. Contact us to learn more about the V-Girder and to see how it can fit into your next project!