Gantry and semi-gantry cranes

Portal and semi-portal cranes are used where a larger outdoor area, handling space at a hall, or a combination of indoor and outdoor operation needs to be served. They are also suitable for situations where it is not possible to install a classic overhead crane on hall columns or when the supporting structure of the building does not allow for the safe installation of a crane runway.

A gantry crane's structure stands on its own legs and moves on a rail track, or it can be firmly anchored in a foundation. A semi-gantry solution uses one side supported on a separate leg and the other side attached to, for example, a hall structure. This allows for efficient use of available space and adapts the equipment to specific operating conditions.

We design every crane according to the required load capacity, span, travel length, operating environment, and the type of loads handled. Connection to storage areas, production technologies, transport routes, handling zones, and the safe movement of operators around the equipment are also important. It is precisely these parameters that decide whether a gantry, semi-gantry, or other technical solution is more suitable.

Cranes can be mobile on rails or firmly anchored in a foundation. Depending on the requirement, the beams can have cantilevers on one or both sides to extend the usable handling space beyond the support axis. This solution is particularly practical where it is necessary to reach materials stored next to the travel path or to serve a wider working area.

The difference between a gantry and a semi-gantry solution is important even at the design stage. A gantry crane has both sides supported on its own legs, making it suitable for standalone handling areas, outdoor storage, or operations not connected to a building structure. A semi-gantry crane, on the other hand, combines its own support with support from the building's structure, which can be advantageous where space saving is required or when handling needs to be directly integrated into the hall.

With both variants, it is necessary to account for the precision of the travel path, the quality of the foundations and the correct positioning of the rails. Inaccuracies in the path can cause increased wear on the wheels, poorer travel, jolts and higher stress on the structure. Therefore, it is advisable to consider the crane, the track and the construction readiness as a single unit, not as separate parts without technical connection.

The crane's trolley moves along the main girders, or the lifting device can be suspended below the girders. The choice of a specific design depends on the required lifting height, load capacity, available space, and operating conditions. The solution may include hooks, beams, clamps, magnets, or other gripping devices according to the type of material being handled.

Control of portal and semi-portal cranes can be handled from a cab, by a remote control, or by a pendant control panel. When designing, we consider the operator's visibility, safety of movement in the handling area, control accuracy, and comfort during daily use. The power supply is most often solved by a cable on a cable reel or by a catenary line run in a parallel channel.

For outdoor operations, it is necessary to address not only the load capacity and movement of the crane, but also weather resistance, structural stability, the quality of the travel path, drainage, stops, end positions, and safe shutdown of the equipment. Correct design helps to limit wear on travel parts, vibrations, impacts, and uneven loading of the structure.

When designing, we also consider future servicing, inspections and the availability of individual components. The overhead crane must withstand real operating loads in the long term, therefore it is important to correctly design the load-bearing structure, the travel mechanism, the lifting mechanism, as well as protective and safety features. This helps reduce the risk of downtime and extend the lifespan of the entire equipment.

Delivery may include technical design, manufacturing, assembly, commissioning, documentation, inspections, and subsequent servicing. In addition to new equipment, we also handle modernisations, repairs, and modifications of existing overhead or semi-gantry cranes according to current operational requirements.

If you need to serve an outdoor storage area, a handling space at a hall, or an operation where a conventional overhead crane is not suitable, we will prepare a solution according to the actual conditions. The aim is to deliver equipment that is safe, operationally reliable, and tailored to the specific method of handling loads.