R&M Materials Handling, in collaboration with its partner CraneTech, has completed the installation of overhead cranes and hoists at Applied Aerospace’s manufacturing facility in Stockton, California.
The project involved providing customised lifting solutions to handle lightweight composite structures safely and efficiently.
CraneTech installed R&M’s Spacemaster SX wire rope hoists, which are designed to address specific challenges, including a low headroom due to a fire sprinkler pipe.
R&M, in a LinkedIn post, said: “We’re grateful for the trust Applied Aerospace and CraneTech place in us, and we’re committed to delivering equipment and service that perform flawlessly.”
The Applied Aerospace facility, covering 420,000ft2 on a 25-acre site, requires specialised material handling solutions for aerospace component movement.
The project was overseen by Christopher Hansen, the plant engineering manager, who ensured all aspects of material handling operations were managed effectively.
Hansen said: “I am required to research, specify, select, approve, acquire, oversee installation and maintain equipment, pretty much everything.
“We build lightweight, fragile composite structures, and we demand that our cranes perform flawlessly for safety and quality.”
“We notified CraneTech, and they explained that, while we would lose a little lifting height, it was a minor and manageable adjustment.
“Our facility is not high-speed and heavy use. The positive influence is that the crane is there, reliable, and moves slow with high precision.”
The new building required equipment capable of lifting spacecraft structures weighing less than 1,000 lbs.
CraneTech addressed the unique needs of the manufacturing environment by adjusting the crane design to lower the main beam.
Also, the installation mitigated the low headroom issue while maintaining functionality and adhering to the delivery schedule.
The supplied equipment, featuring 5-ton capacity Spacemaster SX hoists, was specified to CMAA Class C standards and included radio remote control operation.
The installation was completed on time and within budget, meeting all specified requirements.
The new installations, including runway structures, ASCE rails, and buss bars, were executed smoothly, meeting the facility’s operational needs, said R&M.
Hansen added: “We are happy with CraneTech — every time, without exception. They have been great people to work with the entire time.
“They are customer service-focused for the entire lifecycle of their product. They respond to our needs quickly and deliver without fail. Minor issues crop up infrequently but when they do, CraneTech adapts and corrects them.”
