Steel producer improves material handling reliability with new hoists

Situation

Based in Fort Wayne, Ind., Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., part of the Valbruna Group, has 2,500 employees and an annual output of about 250,000 tons of specialty steels. Production is primarily focused on stainless steels and specialty alloys, such as nickel alloys and titanium long products.

As part of its investment in continuous improvement, Valbruna is constantly updating its production capabilities. The company wanted to replace two older DC-powered overhead cranes, used to move finished goods and raw materials for stainless steel processing, with more powerful AC-powered cranes but still retain the existing bridge structure. The older cranes had become unreliable, and the hoists were heavy compared to more modern systems. Getting new cranes to work on the current bridge would ensure that the upgrade was cost-effective.

Resolution

VSSI turned to Hoosier Crane Service Co., Elkhart, Ind., for assistance.

Each of the older DC cranes was equipped with 20- and 7-ton dual hoists on one trolley. Hoosier’s original plan was to keep a centerline bridge drive motor on both but replace the DC motors with larger AC motors. However, the company decided that the more viable solution was side-mounted SEW-Eurodrive gearboxes with motors.

The company removed the two existing hoists and replaced them with new R&M 10-ton hoists, installed on a new ASCE rail. With these new hoists, one-third the weight of the old hoists, VSSI now has a more reliable, lightweight, modern system on its existing bridge structure, saving material and installation costs.