Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
October 5, 2016
Cranes should be able to travel along their runway rails without binding or with a
minimum amount of skew. Their overall performance depends on certain factors,
including the condition of the runway and its alignment. Poor rail alignment can cause
a chain reaction, eventually leading to unnecessary wear and tear of wheels and rails,
and structural fatigue.
Konecranes’ RailQ Runway Survey delivers an in-depth view of the alignment and
condition of crane runway rails, including measurements of span, straightness, elevation
and rail-to-rail elevation. It offers expert recommendations for any necessary or
potential corrective actions. Konecranes engineers then review all collected data, and
suggest proper corrective actions.
In practice it means that we minimize the locations on the runway that need to be
touched,” says Saku Aspelin, Product Manager, Consultation Services at Konecranes.
Likewise, RailQ is faster and safer than traditional survey methods. “The key is its use of a
remote-controlled robot that takes the place of the technician who would otherwise
have to crawl through the rails,” he adds.
So what causes a crane to travel incorrectly on the runway? Here are a few examples.
1. Improper installation
A runway that is not installed in accordance with specifications and tolerances may
bring about premature wheel and rail wear, as well as other crane and component
issues.
1|Page
Poor runway alignment may result in crane flanging, skewing, or binding. It too can lead
to excessive stress to the runway beams and extensive wheel and rail wear.
3. Missing clips
Clips, which secure and support the crane rail, prevent it from moving when the crane
travels on the runway.
4. Worn pads
A crane rail pad is essential in reducing shock and vibration in a rail system. The pad
laid under the rail provides load distribution over a larger surface, elimination of load
concentrations and the resultant fatigue stresses, and centering of loads on the
supporting element. It also absorbs uneven contact surfaces between rail and support,
reduces noise and vibrations, and acts as a seal between the bottom of the rail and
the top of the support.
5. Crane geometry
Incorrect crane alignment can give rise to premature wheel wear, rail wear, structural
component failures or drive faults. CraneQ Crane Geometric Survey works together
with RailQ for a total look at crane and runway geometry. It helps find the root cause of
these symptoms to avoid costly downtime and major problems.
2|Page