Large quantities of metal are processed and handled every day at Switzerland's largest independent metal trader. Safe, reliable and easy-to-operate cranes are needed to transport the heavy and sometimes bulky workpieces. Konecranes has designed seven new single-girder bridge cranes for this purpose - all from the new S series. From aluminum or stainless steel car bodies to brass angle profiles for roof construction: metals and alloys are used in a wide variety of applications today. The handling of metal parts of different sizes and weights must function safely and reliably - if a crane is down for maintenance, every hour costs time and money. This also applies to häuselmann metall. The largest independent metal trader in Switzerland handles numerous tons of freight every day. To transport the sometimes bulky metal parts safely and quickly in häuselmann metall's warehouse, sensitive cranes are needed that are as easy to operate as possible. For this purpose, Konecranes has designed a total of seven single-girder overhead travelling cranes from the new S series, which can lift loads weighing between 1.6 and 2.5 tons.

S-Series: The new generation of bridge cranes
Konecranes presented its latest overhead crane series in September 2019. The heart of the S-series is the newly designed rope hoist. The new rope reeving system is geometrically aligned with the travel wheels and reduces the wheel loads during operation by up to 45 percent. The inclined rope drum also reduces the deflection angle and prevents structural twisting and crossing of the ropes - for safe working. The newly developed main girder of the S-series has a sliding endcarriage connection. It ensures higher tolerances and avoids misalignment during movement for an even smoother ride. The condition of the crane can now also be assessed more easily visually, as the weld seams in the new box girder structure are located outside the main girder. Five of the new S-series single-girder overhead travelling cranes from Konecranes lift loads of up to 1.6 tons at häuselmann metall, and two lift loads of up to 2.5 tons. "The cranes are used for loading and unloading incoming and outgoing materials and for transporting the metal cutters here at the plant," says Klaus Hueber, Production & Logistics Manager at häuselmann metall.

Fully synthetic rope and smart features
The fully synthetic rope in the S series is also an innovation from Konecranes. "The synthetic rope is significantly lighter and much more flexible than conventional ropes made from braided steel wire," emphasizes Thomas Gerber, Sales Engineer at Konecranes Switzerland. "It makes handling easier for employees, especially during installation, and is safer because no wires that could break are used in the first place." The rope also generates less contact pressure and less friction on its guide than conventional technologies. The rope and guide therefore offer a significantly longer service life.
The S-series cranes for häuselmann metall are equipped with ASR hoist inverters. This allows the load to be positioned precisely, protecting the crane and the statics of the building. Several new smart features also improve handling. Using manual hook guidance, crane operators can take the trolley "on a leash" and simply pull on the hook - the bridge follows automatically and positions the trolley optimally above the load thanks to hook and centre of gravity centring. Konecranes has also developed a new load collision protection system: It stops the movement immediately if the load touches an obstacle.

Transporting metal safely from place to place
Klaus Hueber on the new cranes, which will be delivered by February 2021: "Although Konecranes manufactures heavy-duty equipment, their services are anything but cumbersome. The customer service and flexibility in the concept of the offer convinced us." The S series single girder bridge cranes are part of a whole range of new wire rope hoists and winches. "Our customers have already shown great interest in our C-Series, S-Series and M-Series cranes and hoists since their launch in September 2019, so we look forward to introducing more new products in 2020 and beyond," emphasizes Marko Tulokas, Senior Vice President of Konecranes Industrial Cranes.