Ceiling-Mounted Workstation Cranes

Ceiling-mounted workstation cranes, also known as underhung or suspended overhead cranes, allow light-duty material handling in facilities with limited floor space or no steel support structures. These cranes operate on tracks attached beneath the building's framework, providing a small footprint and variable workstation coverage. Suspension workstation cranes increase efficiency in assembly lines, repair bays, and cleanrooms by integrating readily into existing buildings and allowing for fast load placement. Ceiling-mounted workstation cranes are an effective and ergonomic option for businesses with limited floor space but a need for precise material handling.

Structure And Design

The structure and design of ceiling-mounted workstation cranes differs from that of a typical bridge crane.

1. Bridge Girder And Suspension Track

Ceiling‑mounted workstation cranes use a single‑girder bridge made from either I‑beam, channel, or U‑shaped steel, chosen by load capacity. Lighter loads (0.5–5t) typically run on an I‑beam or channel track, while higher capacities (5–10t) employ a U‑steel and I‑beam hybrid for greater rigidity.

The suspension track mounts directly to the building's roof structure or steel rafters. End trucks—fitted with ground‑milled wheels—ride on these rails, ensuring smooth bridge travel. Adjustable wheel bearings compensate for rail tolerances, minimizing binding and wear over time.

2. Trolley And Hoist Assembly

A compact trolley assembly travels beneath the bridge girder, carrying the hoist mechanism. Key design points include:

• Dual‑Speed Hoists: Offer normal and inching speeds (e.g., 8m/min and 0.8m/min) for precise load positioning.

• Power Supply: Flat festoon cables or special conductor bars deliver power without sagging or tangling.

• Hoist Options: Electric wire rope or chain hoists are selected based on lift height and frequency; wire rope hoists suit tall lifts, while chain hoists excel in low‑headroom or moderate‑capacity tasks.

Control methods include pendant stations, handheld radio controls, or optional cabin controls for continuous operation.

Features

This ceiling-mounted workstation crane has a variety of features that focus on the following areas:

1. Compact Headroom: The underhung design lowers the beam profile, reducing the vertical envelope by up to 20% compared to traditional top‑running cranes. This preserves valuable headroom in facilities with ceilings under 4m, allowing for taller loads or additional overhead utilities.
2. Minimal Footprint: With no runway supports on the floor, the workspace remains clear for forklifts, automated guided vehicles, or cell‑based production lines. This unobstructed layout also simplifies floor cleaning and reduces trip hazards.
3. Custom Spans: Standard spans range from 3m to 15m, suitable for most workshop bays. For larger halls or special layouts, we offer bespoke configurations up to 15m. Each span is engineered to control beam deflection and maintain precise alignment under load.
4. Adjustable Lifting Height: Hoist travel can be specified from as low as 1m—ideal for mezzanines or low‑ceiling areas—up to 30m for multi‑level facilities. Chain or cable reeving is tailored to your layout, ensuring smooth operation at every lift height.
5. Pendant Controls: Ergonomically arranged push‑button panels feature a long‑reach cable, IP65 protection, an emergency‑stop button, and overload indicators. Optional two‑speed control and hold‑to‑run functionality allow precise load positioning.
6. Radio Remote Controls: Wireless handsets free the operator from cable drag and reduce snag risks. With a typical range of 50m and exchangeable rechargeable battery packs, these units offer clear line‑of‑sight operation and safety interlocks.
7. Integrated Cabin: Fully enclosed cabins come with adjustable seats, joystick‑style hoist and trolley controllers, climate control options, and tinted windows for glare reduction. Designed for long‑duty cycles, they provide the operator with clear visibility and fatigue‑reducing ergonomics.

Applications

Ceiling-mounted workstation cranes play a huge role in increasing the efficiency of specific applications.

1. Light‑Duty Assembly Lines

In electronics, automotive parts, and appliance assembly, ceiling‑mounted workstation cranes deliver components to assembly desks, reducing manual lifting and operator fatigue.

2. Maintenance Workstations

Facilities servicing pumps, motors, or heat exchangers use suspension cranes to lift and position units at maintenance pits or overhead service bays. The cranes' low profile maintains clearance for jacks and tooling.

3. Warehouse Pick‑and‑Place

Small warehouses leverage single‑girder underhung cranes for pallet handling, crate staging, and machine loading, streamlining order fulfillment in tight aisles.

4. Medical And Laboratory Environments

In cleanrooms and medical device production, ceiling‑mounted cranes handle sterile containers, microscopes, or lab equipment under strict contamination controls. Their minimal footprint and low noise suit sensitive environments.

Electronics And Semiconductor Facilities

Cleanroom cranes must comply with particulate and vibration limits. Suspension overhead cranes with anti‑vibration mounts support precise placements of racks and wafer carriers without exceeding ISO Class5 cleanliness thresholds.

Safety And Compliance

Overload Protection

Integrated load sensors continuously monitor hoist loads. If the weight approaches the rated capacity, an alert warns the operator, and the system locks out further lifting until the load is reduced.

Limit Switches

Upper and lower limit switches prevent the hoist from over‑traveling, protecting the hoist and bridge from mechanical impact. Travel end‑stops ensure the bridge does not exceed runway limits.

Emergency Stop

Pendant stations and cabin controls include prominently placed emergency stop buttons. Pressing the e‑stop cuts power to the hoist and bridge drive immediately.

Regulatory Standards

• ISO 9001: Quality management system certification ensures consistent design and production processes.

• CMAA Class A3/A4: Duty classifications for light to moderate cycle usage, matching typical workstation crane profiles.

• OSHA 1910.179: Compliance with U.S. overhead crane regulations for safe installation and operation.

Specifications And Technical Data

FAQs

Q: Can ceiling-mounted cranes handle uneven loads?
A: Yes, provided the load is centered under the bridge. Off-center loads ≤30% of capacity are permissible.

Q: What ceiling height is required?
A: Minimum 4 meters for standard systems. Low-headroom designs work in 3.2m spaces.

Q: Are these cranes compatible with existing jib cranes?
A: Yes. We design hybrid systems where ceiling cranes feed parts to jib workstations.

How to get quotation?

Send us your RFQ including the parameters above, we will reply our quotation accordingly.