European Single-Girder Overhead Cranes for Brazilian Automotive Die Shop

Voitto delivered three European-type single girder overhead cranes — 10 t, 15 t and 20 t — to an automotive mold manufacturer in Brazil. One overhead crane serves each stage of mold production: storage, CNC machining, and spotting & fitting on the die-testing press. This case study outlines the customer’s requirements, the key challenges, and the crane configuration.

Обзор проекта

Продукт	European type single girder overhead cranes
Количество	3 units (10 t / 15 t / 20 t, one per workshop bay)
Приложение	Automotive mold production — storage, machining, spotting & fitting
Destination	Brazil
Класс нагрузки	A5
Источник питания	380 V / 60 Hz, 3-phase (customized)
Управление	Ground control + wireless remote
Производитель	Voitto Crane, China

История проекта

The customer produces injection and stamping dies for car body panels. Previously the workshop relied on conventional cranes, which could not position molds precisely and did not fit the available headroom. The customer needed one single girder overhead crane per bay — 10t for mold storage, 15t for loading CNC machining centers, and 20t for handling complete die sets on the die-testing press — all installed without modifying the existing building steel work.

Why European Single Girder Overhead Cranes Suit Mold Workshops

• Low headroom and light self-weight — well-suited for existing-building retrofits, with low wheel loads on the runway beams
• VFD precision — the smooth starting and accurate spotting that high-value dies demand
• A5 duty class — sufficient for the frequent lifts of mold production at lower cost than heavy-duty classes
• Cost-efficient for capacities up to 20 tons — near double girder overhead crane level precision with lower investment.

Challenges

Fragile high value die surfaces. Automotive dies are dense, irregular steel blocks with off-center lifting points, and a high-value mold cannot tolerate edge knocks or load swings. The single girder overhead cranes therefore required variable-frequency lifting with smooth, low-speed starting and precise spotting.

Limited headroom. With CNC machines, presses and overhead services occupying the workshop space, the low headroom and light dead weight of the European single girder design were decisive.

Brazil’s 60 Hz power standard. Standard Chinese cranes are built for 50 Hz. All motors, hoists and control systems had to be re-specified for 60 Hz / 380 V operation before export.

Solution and Configuration

Voitto supplied three European-type single girder cranes, each engineered to its bay’s column spacing and mold weight:

Single Overhead Crane	10 tна	15 tна	20 тонн
Work area	Mold storage	Обработка на станках с ЧПУ	Spotting & fitting
Класс нагрузки	A5	A5	A5
Span & lifting height	Custom-engineered per each bay’s column spacing and hook clearance
Подъемник	European electric wire rope hoist, variable frequency
Travel control	Travel control | VFD-controlled long-travel with slow-approach function
Operation	Ground control + wireless remote
Мощность	380 V / 60 Hz, 3-phase

The European electric hoist with VFD control greatly reduces load swing; the electronic anti-sway system is available as an optional upgrade for high-precision die-handling and feather-touch positioning to avoid scratches on polished die cavities, while the wireless remote lets the operator stand beside the mold and guide each lift directly.

Packing, Shipment and Installation

Each single girder overhead crane was disassembled into its main girder, end trucks and hoist trolley, crated, and loaded into ocean containers bound for Brazil. On site, installation and commissioning covered runway alignment checks, verification of the 60 Hz electrical parameters, testing of all movements and limit switches, and no-load and rated-load tests before handover. Voitto provides installation guidance, operator training and after-sales service for all exported cranes.

ЧАСТО ЗАДАВАЕМЫЕ ВОПРОСЫ

Why three different capacities in one workshop?

Each production stage moves different weights. Matching each bay’s crane to its real load avoids paying for capacity that bay doesn’t need.

Can the crane run on Brazil’s 60 Hz power supply?

Yes. Motors, hoists and control systems can be re-specified for 60 Hz / 380 V or other local standards.

Is a single girder crane safe for 20-ton molds?

Yes, with correctly engineered span and duty class. Beyond this range, a double girder crane is recommended.

Request a Quotation

Planning an overhead crane for a mold workshop or any precision lifting application in Brazil or worldwide? Send us your workshop drawings and requirements — our engineers will reply with a proposal within 24 hours.

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