Crane system gives wings some lift

Lifting specialist, RHC Lifting, has completed the commissioning process for one of Europe's most technically advanced crane systems at GKN Aerospace's new wing composite manufacturing facility in Bristol, UK.

To aid the semi-automated manufacturing operation, RHC Lifting designed, manufactured and installed two SWF Krantechnik branded multi-latching crane systems. Each system has a span of 32m, across three bays, with cross travel speeds of 5m/min, long travel speeds of 40m/min and hoisting speeds of 0.83-5m/min.

System One, located in the clean room, has three 10t SWL top running single girder latching cranes and two tandem pairs of 5t SWF Nova low headroom hoists, each bay has a gantry length of 41m with one transfer point in each bay. System Two, located in the assembly area, has five 6.4t SWL top running single girder latching cranes and four pairs of tandem 3.2t SWF Nova low headroom hoists.