What is a monorail crane system?

Monorail crane systems are permanent, stationary cranes that feature an overhead track on which trolleys carry hoists. Loads are moved along this predetermined path, making this lifting solution ideal for situations that involve regular, repetitive and precise lifts.

At a conceptual level monorail cranes are quite similar to monorail trains, only they are upside down, move in one direction, and carry goods rather than people. Popular in factories, particularly on production lines, they come in two main forms: ceiling mounted monorail cranes (AKA suspended monorail cranes) or freestanding monorail cranes that are supported by their own structures.

Monorail crane systems are used by a wealth of companies across a wide range of industries, including automotive and transport, chemical production, construction, food and beverage, machinery and equipment, metal processing, rubber and plastics, timber, warehousing and waste management.

What are the benefits of a monorail crane system?

Overhead monorail crane systems are a particularly effective lifting solution for linear material handling applications. If a business has a need to send goods or materials down a set path within their factory or warehouse, a monorail system is often the most efficient way to do so.

In the right situation, a monorail hoist system can deliver a number of benefits versus other lifting solutions:

Efficiency

Monorail systems are capable of moving materials through your warehouse or production line more efficiently than almost any other solution, and at a fast – yet always safe – pace. Workers can complete their task, then send materials down the line without the need to plan or navigate that journey, as the monorail system can transport items from A to B with minimal human input – a fact that can also lead to reduced labour expenses.

Productivity

The process of designing a monorail system can inspire workflow improvements within your factory or warehouse. As (generally) custom constructions, the planning phase can reveal issues and inefficiencies in your workflow that you may not otherwise have noticed. Ultimately a well planned monorail crane system will find the most efficient possible path through your workspace, and the speed of use can lead to more goods and materials flowing down that line.

Safety

Systematically following a predictable path from workstation to workstation, monorail cranes can greatly increase worker safety within your factory or warehouse, as they remove the unpredictability of mobile cranes, and therefore minimise the likelihood of an accident. Workers are tasked with making similar lifts again and again, allowing them to learn and become comfortable with the safest way to handle materials.

Reliability

Simple to use and built to last, a monorail crane system is one of the most reliable material handling solutions available. When properly maintained you can expect your system to last an incredibly long time, even with heavy use. The simplicity of these systems also makes this maintenance surprisingly quick and easy.

Types of monorail crane system

There are two main types of monorail crane system.

Suspended monorail cranes

Suspended monorail crane systems, also known as ceiling-mounted monorail crane systems, are fixed to the ceiling above the material handling area. These permanent features are capable of lifting up to 1500kg (depending on the load rating of the ceiling to which they are fixed), and are custom designed using standard curves, joint connections and suspensions, so can be easily reconfigured if the needs of the workplace change.

Freestanding monorail cranes

Freestanding monorail cranes are suspended not from the ceiling of a building, but from their own structure, and are commonly used in situations where a ceiling-mounted crane isn’t an option for whatever reason. Freestanding systems have a far greater footprint than suspended systems, and can become unwieldy if goods need to be transported over long distances, but are great for shorter lifting distances.

Helping New Zealand manufacturers safely solve their lifting challenges with the best local and global solutions

At Stratalign we’ve spent years helping Kiwi businesses identify and secure the lifting equipment that will get them working smarter, quicker and safer.

Our Stratalign monorail hoist track system is a versatile solution capable of lifting and shifting heavy loads efficiently and effectively, greatly increasing productivity, profitability and worker safety.

Assembled from prefabricated parts, and offering advanced features such as switches, turntables and interlocks, we can design and install a suspended or freestanding system that precisely aligns with your needs, and in surprisingly quick time.

Learn more about our range of monorail crane systems below, or speak with our expert team who are always willing to share their decades of material handling experience to identify the ideal solution for your situation.

Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation and quote.