Product category:
Cranes, hoists, winches, chains and ancillaries
News Release from: Konecranes (UK) | Subject: Modernising cranes
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 April 2003
Take time to modernise the cranes
Recent world events may have slowed down some capital projects for the time being, but Konecranes UK has seen a dramatic upturn in its crane modernisation and refurbishment work
Recent world events may have slowed down some capital projects for the time being, but East Kilbride based Konecranes UK has seen a dramatic upturn in its crane modernisation and refurbishment division Current modernisation customers include BNFL, Timken Desford Steel, Scottish and Southern Energy and Iggesund Paperboard
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 26 Jun 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Realising that modernising an old crane is a good alternative to the capital outlay involved in a new one, Nissan called in East Kilbride Crane experts, Konecranes UK.
BNFL are having a 26 tonne crane refurbed at Hunterston Power Station where the crane is being generally overhauled and new components fitted as required.
At Timken Desford Steel the requirement is for a DC to AC power conversion and Iggesund Paperboard at their Workington plant are having a Wet End crane modernised involving removal of the old control equipment and replacement with Konecranes new Inverter technology plus cabling and hoist motor.
These and many other Konecranes UK customers are finding that modernising an old crane is often a good alternative to purchasing new, not only because it entails lower costs, but also there may be production-related factors.
Further reading
1950s trollies replaced on Halewood's cranes
The modernisation division of Konecranes UK based at East Kilbride in Scotland recently won the contract to upgrade some of the plant at Jaguar's Halewood plant in Merseyside.
Coach builder buys new cranage
Plaxton Coaches have taken delivery of three 1 tonne CXT single girder cranes from East Kilbride based Konecranes UK.
Sometimes the installation of a new crane can be difficult and take too much production time, which can increase the cost.
Speaking of his modernisation division, Konecranes UK's Managing Director Gordon Adie says, "As modernisation experts, my team can often get the work done without downtime for the customer.
The most important first stage is a thorough survey from which we can agree a specific plan with the customer and then draw up a timetable of implementation that best suits to minimise the effects on ongoing production." The need for modernisation can result from a variety of reasons, most of all the ageing of the equipment.
Cranes are just like aeroplanes, they have a finite number of operational hours that varies part by part.
Although reliable, regular service keeps them in good shape, inevitably a new crane will be needed.
When done properly, modernisation will help extend this life span.
After modernisation, all functional parts of the crane are as good as new and the capacity may be even greater than before.
Modernisation takes account of change of usage since first installed, latest safety regulations and better working practises, even automation can be added in certain circumstances.
Modernisation is not dependent on the crane model.
As an expert and pioneer in modernisation, Konecranes UK is capable of modernising cranes of different types and ages.
Technology is developing all the time so the machinery and motors used today are smaller and more powerful than before.
This means that they can be more easily fitted into old structures.
"We don't specialise in any given crane model so we can modernise practically all crane types.
After all, many of the original manufacturers no longer exist on the market.
If this is the case, customers can turn to us to find out the opportunities that modernisation offers as an alternative to investing in a brand new crane," says Gordon Adie.
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