A 500kg jib crane with vacuum lifter was supplied by MOTCRANE to a small metal processing workshop in Russia for steel plate handling and cutting machine loading.
The customer did not need a large lifting system to cover the whole workshop. Their main requirement was to move steel plates from the storage area to the cutting machine within a fixed working area. Since the customer had a limited budget and wanted to avoid major foundation work on the existing floor, MOTCRANE did not recommend a freestanding overhead crane as the final solution.
Instead, we selected a more practical and cost-effective jib crane solution based on the customer’s actual working process. For this project, MOTCRANE also helped the customer source a matching vacuum lifter, so the crane and lifting attachment could work together for safer and easier steel plate handling.
The customer is a small metal processing center in Russia. In daily production, operators need to move steel plates onto the cutting machine for processing. Because steel plates are large and flat, manual handling is inefficient and can lead to plate scratches, inaccurate positioning, or operator injuries.
At the beginning of the project, the customer considered using a freestanding overhead crane to cover the steel plate handling area around the cutting machine. This type of crane can provide a wider lifting coverage and smoother travel movement, but it was not the most suitable option for this workshop.
The customer only needed to cover the area between the steel plate storage position and the cutting machine. A full freestanding overhead crane would provide more coverage than required and increase the overall project cost.
Another concern was floor protection. A freestanding overhead crane usually requires multiple support columns. Installing these columns may require drilling, anchor bolts, or additional foundation work. For an existing small workshop, this could damage the floor, interrupt production, and increase installation cost.
After reviewing the working process, budget, and installation conditions, MOTCRANE recommended a 500kg jib crane with a vacuum lifter instead.
The customer needed a light-duty lifting solution for steel plate handling and cutting machine loading. The solution had to support daily production while keeping the purchase and installation cost under control.
The main requirements included:
For this type of workshop application, the lifting solution should not be selected only by capacity. The working process, lifting path, floor condition, plate size, and budget all need to be considered. In this case, the customer needed a practical steel plate loading system for one fixed workstation, not a larger crane system with unnecessary coverage.
Based on the customer’s working area and budget, MOTCRANE provided a combined solution: a 500kg jib crane with a matching vacuum lifter.
The jib crane covers the working area between the steel plate storage position and the cutting machine. It provides lifting and slewing movement within the required radius. Compared with a freestanding overhead crane, the jib crane has a simpler structure, smaller footprint, fewer installation points, and lower overall cost.
For customers who only need to serve one cutting machine or one fixed workstation, a jib crane is usually a more economical choice.
The vacuum lifter is used to grip the flat steel plate surface. Compared with hooks or slings, a vacuum lifting device is more suitable for handling flat metal plates. It helps operators lift, move, and position the plate more conveniently, while reducing the risk of scratches and unstable handling.
During the solution confirmation stage, MOTCRANE checked the following details with the customer:
By designing the jib crane and vacuum lifter as one complete solution, MOTCRANE helped the customer avoid possible matching problems between the crane and lifting attachment. For a small processing workshop, this solution is more practical than purchasing the crane and vacuum lifter separately.
Equipment Name: 500kg Jib Crane
Lifting Capacity: 500kg, including vacuum lifter weight
Arm Length: 4.5 meters
Lifting Height: 4 meters
Lifting Attachment: Vacuum Lifter
Application: Steel Plate Handling and Cutting Machine Loading
Usage Scenario: Small Metal Processing Workshop
Project Location: Russia
Working Area: Customized according to steel plate storage and cutting machine position
Solution Type: Jib Crane + Vacuum Lifter
Key Advantages: Lower cost, simpler installation, suitable for fixed workstation loading
The final boom length, lifting height, slewing angle, column design, and vacuum lifter specification should be confirmed according to the workshop layout, steel plate size, and maximum plate weight.
The customer originally considered a freestanding overhead crane because it can provide wider lifting coverage. However, after reviewing the actual workflow, MOTCRANE found that the customer only needed to move steel plates within a limited area.
For this project, a jib crane was more suitable for several reasons:
This made the 500kg jib crane with vacuum lifter a more practical choice for the customer’s cutting machine loading process.
This 500kg jib crane project in Russia shows that the most suitable lifting solution is not always the largest or most expensive option. For small metal processing workshops, the crane should be selected according to the actual working process, budget, installation conditions, and the material to be handled.
In this project, the customer needed to load steel plates onto a cutting machine, but wanted to avoid the higher cost and floor impact of a freestanding overhead crane. MOTCRANE provided a combined jib crane and vacuum lifter solution that met the handling requirements while keeping the project more economical and easier to install.
MOTCRANE can provide light-duty lifting solutions for cutting machines, metal processing workshops, steel plate handling, and fixed workstation loading, including jib cranes, vacuum lifters, workstation cranes, light overhead cranes, and other material handling equipment.
If you need a similar solution for steel plate handling or cutting machine loading, you can request a lifting solution from MOTCRANE.
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