When it comes to overhead cranes, safety is critical.
A load test is a literal testing of limits. Pushing a crane beyond it’s rated capacity under controlled conditions to expose any flaws or breaking points, so that any repairs can be done.
How It Works
When a crane is first designed, an engineer will decide what rate of deflection (bend) both the bridge and runways are safely able to bear dependent on the size, length and design of the crane.
Once installed, a technician will then load the crane to 125% of it’s rated safe working load capacity. (ex. if rated for 5 tons, a load of 6.25 tons will be applied). This is usually accomplished with the addition of rated steel test weights or in some cases, such as sizable port gantry’s, water weights are the convention.
While under the additional burden of weight, the bridge and runways will then be measured, using the proper equipment, to see if the amount of deflection in the steel falls within the safe parameters laid out by the original engineered design.
The crane will also be tested to see that all functions are working correctly. A complete check of hoisting, lowering, trolley travel, bridge travel, limit switches as well as locking and safety devices will be completed under the extra stress.
This also allows the technician to determine and verify any load limit switches to proper and safe settings.
Why It’s So Important
When steel is under pressure it can expose many hidden problems, such as damaged weld seams or frame segments. Many underlying concerns that could lead to issues, including catastrophic failures down the road, will be brought to light during a load test which can be rebuilt or repaired before the equipment is put into use.
For more information on Kristian’s load testing and preventative maintenance click here.
Kristian Electric – Canada’s #1 Demag Sales & Parts Centre For over 60 years, Kristian Electric Ltd. has been a trusted name in the crane and hoist industry. From our earliest days in 1964 to today, we’ve been proud to support Canadian industry with reliable...
Okay, let’s be real for a second... When your welder stops working — it’s not just annoying, it’s stressful. You’ve got jobs to do, deadlines to meet, and now the machine you rely on is giving you grief. We’ve all been there. And that’s why I’m writing this — because...
Summer just got hotter. Miller’s Build with Blue rebate promotion is back at Kristian Electric — and this round brings fresh savings on some of the most popular machines for Canadian welders. From July 1 to September 30, you can save up to $700 on eligible Miller...
Eliminate the cumbersome use of remote cables when welding with ArcReach technology from Miller. No longer will you need to walk or climb from the weld-joint to the power source and back again to adjust parameters.. With ArcReach, you can adjust your meters remotely.
The first and only technology of this kind on the market, Miller has designed a system that allows your power source to be adjusted remotely, either with a specially designed ArcReach remote or with an ArcReach wire feeder.
These specially designed wire feeders from Miller will then act as the remote in which the operator can precisely set arc voltage at the feeder and monitor the actual arc voltage and current delivered with the digital meters on the feeder.
Each of these wire feeders are equipped with ArcReach technology but are perfectly capable working without it.
Features
Connecting an ArcReach accessory from the power source automatically locks out the power sources control panels.
The power source will return to it’s previous settings once the ArcReach accessory is remove, allowing the user to return to a previous process faster.
Users can adjust parameters while the arc is still on.
Automatically sets the power source to the correct weld process based on the polarity applied to the weld accessory.
Auto adjusts voltage based on weld cable length.
Productivity = Profitability
Not only does the ArcReach system provide the user with more on-arc time, but it also creates a much safer work environment. Slips, trips and falls are the number one hazards in most workplaces, but especially on industrial jobsites. Working in an environment that could be muddy, wet, windy or worse, having to navigate back and forth through a myriad of obstacles increases a workers risk of injury exponentially. With ArcReach, you don’t have to worry. As the Miller ArcReach slogan goes, “Don’t Walk, Weld.”
Productivity is also increased in that ArcReach allows the user to weld just about anywhere, while maintaining a stable arc and avoiding bad and costly re-work.
Kristian Electric – Canada’s #1 Demag Sales & Parts Centre For over 60 years, Kristian Electric Ltd. has been a trusted name in the crane and hoist industry. From our earliest days in 1964 to today, we’ve been proud to support Canadian industry with reliable...
Okay, let’s be real for a second... When your welder stops working — it’s not just annoying, it’s stressful. You’ve got jobs to do, deadlines to meet, and now the machine you rely on is giving you grief. We’ve all been there. And that’s why I’m writing this — because...
Summer just got hotter. Miller’s Build with Blue rebate promotion is back at Kristian Electric — and this round brings fresh savings on some of the most popular machines for Canadian welders. From July 1 to September 30, you can save up to $700 on eligible Miller...
There have been many moments in history that have brought to fruition the function and design of the overhead Crane, however there are a few specific moments whose impact stand out more than the others.
This fun video timeline will walk you through those moments and give you an idea just how far the overhead crane has come.
Click here to see a selection of new overhead crane designs, including bridge style, gantry, jib and workstation.
Kristian Electric – Canada’s #1 Demag Sales & Parts Centre For over 60 years, Kristian Electric Ltd. has been a trusted name in the crane and hoist industry. From our earliest days in 1964 to today, we’ve been proud to support Canadian industry with reliable...
Okay, let’s be real for a second... When your welder stops working — it’s not just annoying, it’s stressful. You’ve got jobs to do, deadlines to meet, and now the machine you rely on is giving you grief. We’ve all been there. And that’s why I’m writing this — because...
Summer just got hotter. Miller’s Build with Blue rebate promotion is back at Kristian Electric — and this round brings fresh savings on some of the most popular machines for Canadian welders. From July 1 to September 30, you can save up to $700 on eligible Miller...
Take the hassle and fees out of cylinder rental, and just exchange for a brand new cylinder every time!
What is ALbee?
ALbee is Air Liquide’s line of portable, lightweight, rent-free gas cylinders designed for light industrial professionals.
Why is ALbee Better?
By taking part in the ALbee cylinder exchange program, you will no longer have to worry about rental fees. Also, since each cylinder comes complete with it’s own regulator, it eliminates the need to purchase or maintain your own regulator.
Each cylinder design will not only save you time but it is much safer as well. With shock absorbing guards to protect the regulator as well as an on/off lever to allow for faster cut off, which reduces wastage.
The ergonomic handle creates and easy-to-carry comfort and since ALbee cylinders are compact, they are not only lighter but can be carried anywhere and secured on-site. However, don’t let it’s size confuse you, though it is small, it be mighty, with 60% more gas than a standard size 9 cylinder, and 3000 psig (20,000 kPa) as compared to a conventional cylinder at 2250 psig (15,000 kPa).
How Does it Work?
Simply purchase an ALbee cylinder from the Kristian Electric Edmonton location.
When it needs replacing just return your empty cylinder to us and exchange it by purchasing a refill cylinder.
Kristian Electric – Canada’s #1 Demag Sales & Parts Centre For over 60 years, Kristian Electric Ltd. has been a trusted name in the crane and hoist industry. From our earliest days in 1964 to today, we’ve been proud to support Canadian industry with reliable...
Okay, let’s be real for a second... When your welder stops working — it’s not just annoying, it’s stressful. You’ve got jobs to do, deadlines to meet, and now the machine you rely on is giving you grief. We’ve all been there. And that’s why I’m writing this — because...
Summer just got hotter. Miller’s Build with Blue rebate promotion is back at Kristian Electric — and this round brings fresh savings on some of the most popular machines for Canadian welders. From July 1 to September 30, you can save up to $700 on eligible Miller...
TThe latest series of welding helmets released by Miller Electric have so many updates for the modern welder. From peripheral lenses to integrated grind shields, these helmets are some of the most state-of-the-art designs in the industry.
Miller has long used the headline “Built for welders by welders” and includes this statement in their latest product catalogue:
“By listening to welders and working with them side-by-side, we understand their pain points and have developed products that offer protection from the unique physical dangers and health risks prevalent within welding applications”
Well the folks at Miller represented these statements expertly with the design of the T94 series of welding helmets. The updates have clearly been made to tackle the everyday issues and wishes of the modern welder.
Here is a few of the issues, and how Miller tackled and solved them.
Visibility
An extremely common complaint from every welder is their lack of clear visibility through a welding lens.
A welding lens’ purpose is to protect the user from the UV (ultraviolet) and IR (infrared) rays emitted from a welding arc.
Auto-darkening was introduced in the 80’s when a Swedish manufacturer invented an LCD electronic shutter that would darken automatically when it sensed the brightness of a welding arc. The technology became a popular feature for most welding helmets in the mid 2000’s and remains a predominant component on most worthwhile helmets.
There have been many improvements to the auto-darkening technology over the past decade, but the latest update to the technology from Miller takes the cake thus far.
Usually, the operator would see an artificial tint of yellow, green or blue through their lens, as its design prevented the passage of certain colour shades. However, ClearLight Lens Technology allows a much greater range of colour to come through the welding lens than ever before, while still protecting the users vision.
ClearLight Lenses provide a much brighter light state as well. “Light State” refers to the amount of light able to penetrate the lens while the auto-darkening feature is not on. Light State is measured on a numerical scale that usually runs from 4 to 13, with the higher numbers filtering out more and more light. ClearLight lenses are a 3 on the scale, which allows an unprecedented amount of natural light to filter through.
In addition to the ClearLight front lens (which measures 9 sq.in.) the T94 series comes compete with with two side viewing windows. Each window has a 5.0 shade and not only increases peripheral vision but also strengthens the operator’s sense of surroundings.
Grinding Convenience
It’s no secret that many welding operators need to incorporate intermittent grinding between welds. This causes the user to remove and replace their welding helmet over and over again. However with the new T94 series this inconvenience is all but eliminated.
Both versions of the T94 tackle this issue in different manners.
he T94 comes complete with an external grind control button. This allows for seamless transitions with the lens, from weld to grind, and back again.
The T94i takes grind control to the next level with the accommodation of an integrated grind shield inside the helmet. Just lifting the front lens engages the shield, which is the largest of its kind in the industry, providing 44 sq.in of clear viewing area for grinding or other tasks.
Fit
Wearing a welding helmet all day or for long periods of time can cause a myriad of issues for the user, including fatigue, neck strain, pressure point irritation and overall discomfort.
The T94, and all Miller welding helmets for that matter, come complete with the newly designed generation 4 headgear.
Weighing 4% lighter than the average helmet, the T94’s lightweight design reduces fatigue and strain. The pivoting, oversized headgear back pads and head straps secure the helmet with 14% better balance and 17% less torque, eliminating over tightening and discomfort.
The new headgear was designed with ergonomics in mind, to avoid major pressure points within the head and maximizing comfort for all-day wear.
Temperature
Welding is hot work, with welding flames hitting temperatures around 3100°C, the operator is exposed to high ambient heat. To protect themselves, welders wear everything from jackets, bibs, gloves and of course welding helmets. All of this extra protection only adds to the body heat the user must endure.
The T94 series helmet has a matte silver finish, which actually reflects ambient heat and reduces the temperature more than 13°C under the helmet. This helps with temperature control and increases user endurance and focus.
Right now, Miller is also offering a rebate on the purchase of their T94 series of welding helmets with their Build With Blue program. Click here to find out how to receive this rebate.
Kristian Electric – Canada’s #1 Demag Sales & Parts Centre For over 60 years, Kristian Electric Ltd. has been a trusted name in the crane and hoist industry. From our earliest days in 1964 to today, we’ve been proud to support Canadian industry with reliable...
Okay, let’s be real for a second... When your welder stops working — it’s not just annoying, it’s stressful. You’ve got jobs to do, deadlines to meet, and now the machine you rely on is giving you grief. We’ve all been there. And that’s why I’m writing this — because...
Summer just got hotter. Miller’s Build with Blue rebate promotion is back at Kristian Electric — and this round brings fresh savings on some of the most popular machines for Canadian welders. From July 1 to September 30, you can save up to $700 on eligible Miller...
