Overhead Cranes 101
Our latest infographic lays out the basics when it comes to overhead crane types.
What is Intelligent Lifting?
Based on servo mechanics, intelligent lifting devices use a powered mechanism that produces motion or forces at higher levels of energy than the input level. Basically, these ergonomic lifting devices are extensions of your arm.
The G-Force and Easy Arm applications from Gorbel allow you to easily lift up to 1320lbs by yielding very little force.
A synthesis of advanced technology and basic human guidance.
Benefits to the Worker
Since the device is controlled by the operator’s natural movement, the pace is as slow or as fast as the job requires. By not adding muscle fatigue by directing heavy, cumbersome loads and reducing the stress on the body by being able to work at ones own personal level and speed, the possibility of injury is substantially reduced. The Gorbel G-Force requires the user to use 78% less energy than those who would lift manually.
Benefits to Business
The Gorbel G-Force can run at a speed up to 200’ per minute. This is 10 times faster than other traditional lifting devices on the market today, which can increase productivity as much as 68%. Also, with the devices controlled fluidity and precision of movement, the opportunity for product damage is decreased by 2.5 times that of conventional hoisting equipment.
Safety Features
Capacity Overload Protection
The device will sense if it has been loaded over its rated capacity and will only allow for the load to be lowered and removed.
Operator Present (Handle)
Will only allow the device to function while the operators hand is grasping the handle. If no movement is detected within one minute, the unit will shut down until the handle in re-engaged.
Fail Safe Electro-Mechanical Load Brake
The unit will lock in place in the event of power loss until restored. Preventing sudden dropping of the load.
E-Stop
Located directly on the handle, allowing the operator to quickly shutdown the device in case of emergency.
The above features are included on all G-Force models, however higher end models incorporate even more features and functions.For more information visit www.gorbel.com
3 Ways to Increase Welding Shop Air Quality
Welding can be a dangerous job. Working with high temperatures and flame increase the opportunity of burns to the skin and welder flash to the eyes. However, a much less noticeable but equally dangerous hazard involves welding fume.
Welding fumes are formed when a metal is heated above its boiling point and its vapours condense into very fine, airborne particles that can cause both acute and long term chronic effects to your health, especially when inhaled.
Here are 3 ways to develop a better breathing environment in your welding shop.
1. Use Low Emission Filler Metals
Welding consumables can generate hazardous decomposition products during use and can account for up to 90% of the welding fume created. However, a careful selection of consumables can make a big difference in the air quality of your shop.
Hobart offers the “Element” line of low manganese flux cord wires engineered for performance and safety compliance. The wires produce manganese emission well below any other gas-shielded flux-cored wires on the market today without sacrificing the wires reliability or performance.
Hobart Element™ Products Vs. Standard Wires – Significant Reduction In Manganese Levels
2. Installing centralized Ventilation or Fume Extraction Equipment.
By far one of the most effective and efficient methods of welding fume removal is the incorporation of a fume extractor. Adjustable to your work space, a fume extractor will withdraw and filter out fume at the source, reducing the risk of contamination to the surrounding work area.
Nederman provides a myriad of products for your welding fume extraction needs. From single welding mobile carts with adjustable extension arms to complete shop-wide extraction systems.
3. Use Personal Respiratory Protection.
In many cases, ventilation and low emission consumables will not eliminate exposure levels completely. Therefore, the use of personal respiratory protection is not only wise but required by many government regulated health administrations.
Miller Electric offers a comprehensive line of personal respirators, from disposable or half-mask designs all the way up to Powered Air Purifying Respirators (watch the video below for more details).
With the implementation of one or all of these options, you can be reassured that you and your co-workers or employees are breathing easier.
Stampede Dream
The Calgary Stampede is known across the globe. It not only boasts the highest rodeo purse in the world, but cowboys consider it to be the highlight of the rodeo season. One of the biggest draws to the rodeo grounds every stampede is the Rangeland Derby chuckwagon races. They are fast, exciting, and sometimes dangerous, but they always have the biggest crowds. Each wagon is covered with a tarp adorned with company sponsorships. As far as the rodeo goes, this is the most coveted advertising space there is.
Every year Kevin and Cindy Gjertsen attend a pre-stampede charity silent auction called Big Hearted Cowboys. At the 2008 auction, Kevin decided to bid on a package from the Calgary Stampede Rodeo. The package included admission for 24 guests to have exclusive access to the grandstand and tour the rodeo barns. However, the best feature of the package was having your own chuckwagon tarp sponsorship for a night and a meet and greet with your driver.
The family decided not to disclose anything about the chuckwagon to Kris (Kristian) Gjertsen and his wife Bertha, wanting it to remain a surprise.
On a rainy July night, the family organized a big Stampede outing. Planning to meet at the grounds and make their way to the grandstand, Kris and Bertha had no idea what was in store for them. When they arrived at the barns, there sat the wagon, with its pristine white tarp and the Kristian Electric name and logo emblazoned across it. Surrounded by over 20 family members, KEL employees and friends, Kris and Bertha were overjoyed!
The driver of the Kristian Electric wagon was Hugh Sinclair; a four-time Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby champion from Grande Prairie. After meeting Hugh and having a good look at their wagon, the group made their way to their box seats. While sipping drinks and eating hors d’ourves, Kris watched his wagon place 1st in its heat. Hugh Sinclair went on to win the 2008 Rangeland Derby!
Kris was on cloud nine for days, even sharing his news with all of his good friends in the Shriners, who dubbed him “The Big Wheel” for his chuckwagon accomplishment. Sadly, it was only 6 days after watching the race that Kris suddenly passed away.
After his passing, it was revealed that years ago when his kids were young, Kris was watching the Calgary Stampede chuckwagon race with his son when he made a revealing prediction. Being one who always dreamed big, he turned to his son and declared, “One day my name will be on the side of one of those chuckwagons.”
Here’s to you, Kris, and your stampede dream come true!