Anyone who’s ever had to transport large, heavy items will know how important safe, efficient handling is. For many years, steel has been the material of choice for manufacturers and purchasers looking to transport goods in the safest possible way. Of late, however, a new contender has emerged – aluminum gantry. Growing in popularity for various reasons, with a varied product range and several benefits, aluminum gantries are becoming increasingly desirable – particularly when lifting heavy loads.
• Strength
At first glance, it might seem that aluminum and steel gantries are of comparable strength. In many cases, however, aluminum can trump steel due to its lower weight. For instance, a single-story Small Gantry Crane with a load rating of 300 kg is roughly half the weight of a comparable steel model. Given an equal load rating and base size, a steel gantry crane may weigh 2.5-3 times more than its aluminum counterpart. When it comes to handling overhead material loads on a commercial construction site, aluminum gantry cranes not only have a significant advantage in terms of lifting capacity but are also significantly lighter, making them portable compared to the steel equivalents.
• Corrosion resistance
Steel structures are typically coated with zinc or polyethylene paint. The loss of this coating over time will reduce the lifespan of that part of the structure. Maintenance costs can increase due to the need for frequent repainting and rust removal.
Aluminum gantry cranes do not require any coating to resist corrosion. They are made of aluminum and anodized, which provides a long-term barrier against corrosion. Because aluminum does not corrode, you never have to worry about rust, pitting or chipping in your crane’s frame. Furthermore, anodizing is very resistant to scratching, unlike paint that will eventually flake off or chip when scratched or in light contact with other nearby equipment.
• Deflection
Deflection is a term used to describe how a beam bends when a load is applied. In the application of steel versus aluminum gantries, you might notice some differences in deflection. When designing a beam or girder, the material has a significant impact on the beam’s deflection. With steel, the ratio of length to deflection will remain more constant. In contrast, with aluminum, the ratio will change due to not only the fact that the material is lighter but also because of the elastic nature of aluminum beams.
Depending on your requirements for gantry crane use, you will have different avenues you can take to arrive at the perfect gantry. For larger, more permanent jobs, steel will be your best option. If you want something more temporary and lighter weight with fewer protruding pieces, Small Gantry Crane is the way to go. Gantries are incredibly versatile in their usage, and one of the most common places you’ll see one is in a warehouse. Both steel and aluminum gantries are widely used in warehouses, but it is important to note when choosing one over the other. For more information visit here: EC&MW, INC
Wednesday 27 October 2021
Why Should You Choose Aluminum Gantries Over Steel Gantries?
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