Somiram has installed two box cranes equipped with Verlinde hoists in a new workshop at its Waltefaugle factory in the Franche Comte region of France. What distinguishes this installation is a maximum span obtained by modifying the hoist trolley-hook crossbeams. Waltefaugle is a specialist in metal-frame buildings, with 13,500 metric tons of annual production. Waltefaugle's two new double-rail box cranes - a 10-ton and a 12.5-ton crane - were manufactured and put into operation by Somiram.
The new production line at the Waltefaugle factory has two major machines. One cuts 2 x 14m sheets of metal, with the first crane handling these big sheets and the cut parts. The second crane handles the final welded reconstituted beams. The two workstations are 40m apart and work simultaneously. In the new workshop, Waltefaugle makes variable inertia beams, which offer new sales horizons. Variable inertia beams are used in buildings where extra floor space is needed. The two cranes are made with mechanically welded boxes. They are 7m high, with a span of around 21m.
They are equipped with radio-controlled Verlinde Eurobloc VT electric cable hoists and can both be run from the same control. They both have a spreader with suction-cup grips for handling sheet metal and beams. Verlinde Eurobloc VT electric-cable hoists were modified to enable the crane-steering trolley to travel along the full length of the boxes for a maximum approach. By modifying the hoist trolley-hook crossbeams, Somiram was able to 'embed' the hoist into the boxes and thereby maximise use of the approaches against the workshop pillars.
