Why cranes are important to the aerospace industry
8 November 2022From suspension monorails and single-girder cranes to complex flow systems and beyond, the aerospace sector has a variety of crane solutions available to it.
Manufacturers in the aerospace industry build various types of aircraft for use in the commercial, military or personal sectors. In order to make this happen they need to lift, turn and position large, heavy components, and load, unload and transport materials and equipment, seamlessly and reliably throughout aviation construction sites.
Cranes feature a variety of capabilities, meaning that they can be configured to fit the needs of a company. Once an aircraft has blueprints and supplies ready for its construction, and once the budget, operating environment, job site conditions and project demands are determined, it is time for the most efficient and safe assembly systems to be installed.
Versatility
From suspension monorails and single-girder cranes to complex flow systems and beyond, there are a variety of options and accessories that can lift the weight of needed components while staying within a certain crane span if required. Since there are a variety of cranes to choose from, there is a solution for almost every application. Gantry cranes are a popular choice for moving smaller aircraft like helicopters, safely transporting them into the back of a truck for repair in an off-site location, for instance.
Popular crane choices also include process cranes and overhead cranes. Along with off-the-shelf options, cranes can also be customised for specific projects to ensure that they accomplish what is demanded by the application.
The use of cranes in the aerospace industry just reaffirms how versatile these machines really are.
Aerospace safety
Cranes are designed to enhance safety. When cranes are introduced, manufacturers can safely transport parts. This keeps all individuals on manufacturing teams safe. Cranes can be equipped with safety devices such as emergency hoist brakes, remote operator systems, and redundant hoist reeving systems.
Also, before aircraft are released from the site, conducting an inspection will help make sure that all pieces are secure and the aircraft is ready for safe flight. Cranes allow manufacturers to get close enough to all areas of an aircraft to complete a thorough inspection and easily transport materials if they notice a defective part. Like the maintenance process (see below), this stage often involves the use of platforms.
Aerospace maintenance
Cranes can also simplify the maintenance process for aircraft. Telescoping platforms can be attached to cranes and used for anything from minor maintenance to reapplying paint. These platforms make it easy to approach and safely conduct maintenance on any area of an aircraft. Additionally, the platform is often finished with anti-collision protection, preventing any damage to the aircraft’s exterior.
Well-known aircraft organisations such as Nasa and Boeing use cranes in order to support the transportation of their aircraft and components, demonstrating that these tools are effective solutions for complex applications.
Demag Cranes and Components is a manufacturer of crane systems for various industries.
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