Types of hoists mainly used in the automotive industry

Types of hoists mainly used in the automotive industry

In automobile factories, indoor fixed cranes are mainly adopted, especially overhead cranes (overhead cranes/overhead cranes). A major advantage of these is that they can run on the ceiling rails of factory buildings and make effective use of floor space.

• Bridge Crane / Overhead Crane is the most popular type in the automotive industry.
  • Single beam type: suitable for light ~ medium volume parts transport.
  • Twin-beam type: Used for heavy loads (32 tons or more) such as large molds (dies), coil materials, and car body frames.
    In press factories, many die gripper-type hoists and die rotation functions are introduced specialized in die change. This allows the mold to be quickly transported from the warehouse to the press, where it can be rotated for maintenance.
• Coil handling crane specializes in transporting steel plate coils (horizontal, vertical and inclined). We safely supply steel plate raw materials that are used in large quantities in the pressing process of automobile bodies.
• KBK Light Duty Crane System / Workstation Crane Ideal for precision conveying of light weight parts assembly lines and engines, gearboxes, etc.
  The rails can be laid out freely, and the parts can be accurately transported close to the workers, which greatly improves the assembly efficiency.
• Jib crane (sleeving) Used in localized work areas (welding process and maintenance area). They are available in wall-mounted and column-mounted types and are effective in places where space is limited.
• Other auxiliary cranes Gantry cranes (gantry) and slewing mantle trolley types may be used as auxiliary in outdoor parts storage areas or temporary storage areas for large parts.

Specific Application Examples in Automotive Production Lines

1. Stamping Shop
   • Steel plate coil supplied to the uncoiler
   • Transporting, changing, and reversing
     large molds (tens of tons) → minimize downtime and support 24-hour operation
2. Body Shop / Welding
   • Conveying large parts such as body frames, doors, and panels
   • Automatic feeding into the robotic welding line
3. Engine and Powertrain Assembly
   • Precise positioning
     of heavy objects (hundreds of kg ~ several tons) such as engines, transmissions, shafts→ Ergonomic working environment
4. Final assembly and painting process
   • Lifting and moving of the finished vehicle body (in conjunction with the overhead conveyor)
   • Parts supply in the paint booth
5. Warehouse and logistics area
   • Automatic transportation of parts inventory (increasing when linked to AGVs/RGVs)

Why are hoists important in the automotive industry?

• Productivity improvement: High-speed transportation of heavy and large objects that is impossible by human power
• Safety: Overload arrester, anti-collision system, and remote control function reduce the risk of accidents
• Space efficiency: Effective use of ceiling space without occupying the floor
• Automation support: In recent years, predictive maintenance and autonomous driving cranes using IoT and AI have also been introduced.
• Stable quality: Precision positioning improves assembly accuracy and reduces defect rate

Global suppliers like Voitto Crane also offer high-quality overhead hoists and components, deploying customized solutions for the manufacturing industry, including the automotive industry. With more than 26 years of export experience, the company meets strict ISO and CE standards and can handle the harsh continuous operation of automobile factories.

In the future of the automotive industry, it will become even smarter and more labor-saving, and cranes will become the brain of the production line. It can be said that the selection and maintenance of the right hoist is the key to competitiveness.