Konecranes Supplies Multinational Wind Power Companies with Overhead Lifting Equipment and Complete Turnkey Solutions

When global wind power company Vestas Towers A/S began planning a new wind turbine tower manufacturing plant in Pueblo, Colo., the company turned to Konecranes to supply 56 complete overhead cranes for the new facility.

Konecranes, a global manufacturer and supplier of overhead lifting equipment, offers products and services to wind turbine manufacturers in all major market areas. This specialized capability has enabled Konecranes to develop partnerships with wind power companies worldwide, including wind power leaders like Vestas. Headquartered in Randers, Denmark, the wind power company has relied on Konecranes as a key crane and service provider for numerous Vestas wind turbine production plants throughout the world. Konecranes is committed to providing customers with comprehensive turnkey solutions for any large-scale material handling projects-from start to finish.

"Vestas Towers selected Konecranes as supplier of cranes to our new tower factory in Pueblo, Colorado, because we see their products as well-known and very reliable," says Thomas Sorensen, Vestas Production Expert, Towers Division. "Reliability is a key issue for Vestas."

The partnership between the two multinational corporations demonstrates a mutually beneficial global cooperation. With presence in 43 countries, Konecranes operates a global sales and service network that makes strong international relationships possible. The unified service network ensures that customers receive the same, universal products and level of service regardless of location.

"Vestas Towers found that Konecranes was best able to accommodate our requirements for cranes at the Colorado tower manufacturing facility in relation to performance, quality, and price," Sorensen says. "We also found the team from Konecranes to be very professional during the whole phase, from inquiry to final selection. We have high confidence in Konecranes, and are sure that they will do whatever is needed to make this project a great success."

Konecranes designs overhead lifting equipment that meets the strict manufacturing specifications required to withstand demanding operating environments. The comprehensive product line from Konecranes includes lifting solutions for standardized industrial applications and specialized heavy-duty process applications, ranging from manual and electric chain hoists with ⅛-ton lifting capacity to process cranes with lifting capacities up to 1,000 tons. As a member of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Konecranes is committed to developing equipment that also meets the stringent requirements of wind power applications.

The new Vestas production plant in Pueblo will incorporate overhead cranes equipped with Konecranes CXT and SM Spacemaker, ranging in lifting capacity from 10 tons to 45 tons, with spans of up to 33 meters. The cranes will be used throughout the tower manufacturing process, both outside and inside the facility. Outside, four cab-operated cranes featuring SM Spacemaker hoists-three of which will be equipped with semi-automation and DynAPilot anti-sway control systems-will receive the incoming steel plates and flanges that arrive by railcar and transport them into a storage area. The outdoor cranes transport the raw materials to predetermined storage locations along the three 155-foot runways. Smooth operation and precise control are enhanced by the programmable technology of DynAPilot software. Inside, the cranes will be used to handle steel plates in the cutting, rolling, welding, and painting operations. 

Optional load control technologies, including the DynAPilot anti-sway control software, from Konecranes provide added benefits for wind turbine manufacturers. The anti-sway control allows the crane operator to handle loads in a safe and efficient manner, enabling the operator to fully focus on the core operations instead of sway control of the load. The hoist synchronization system from Konecranes allows smooth and seamless operation of two or more hoists together when lifting large, difficult loads such as the wind turbine blades.

Konecranes will also supply all rail-more than 2.7 miles-as well as 5.4 miles of conductor bar and all disconnect switches. In addition to being involved at the shop level, Konecranes will provide complete turnkey installation on-site, including load testing by trained Konecranes service technicians.

Konecranes has also developed a successful partnership with Acciona, a Spanish corporation specializing in wind turbine manufacturing and wind farm development worldwide. Konecranes delivered two large cranes-176 tons and 190 tons in lifting capacity-to an Acciona plant in West Branch, Iowa. One of the cranes is used to load the finished wind turbine nacelles onto transfer carts, which move the nacelles from an indoor bay to the outdoor storage area. The second crane is used to place the nacelles from the transfer cart to a holding zone prior to being delivered to their final destination.

Crane selection for the West Branch plant was critical-the facility employs cranes the way other manufacturers use forklifts. If cranes do not work or function properly, production is literally shut down. Investing in the right equipment pays off in dividends, providing longer service life with reduced maintenance costs and downtime. In the case of the West Branch facility, heavier-duty Class D cranes were selected over the sufficient Class C cranes, to assure that the cranes would stand up during the frequent usage cycles involved in the assembly process. Konecranes also supplied wire rope hoists with built-in variable speed control systems to ensure precise lifting and placing of the large nacelle units at the end of the assembly process.

Konecranes offers a standard industrial equipment product line for wind power applications, including compact, efficient manual and electric chain hoists, and advanced, reliable wire rope hoists. The wXN Electric Chain Hoists are available in three versatile trolley options: manual push, motorized, and low headroom. Ergonomic chain hoists from Konecranes are durable, compact, and easy to use-ideal features for wind farm applications, such as onsite maintenance within the nacelle that has limited space for additional equipment. Easy to mount and remove as needed, the manual lever chain hoists are also useful as additional tools in maintenance tool boxes.

The compact wXN Electric Chain Hoist from Konecranes increases operational safety by allowing maintenance services to occur within the nacelle. Standard lifting capacities range from ⅛ ton to 1 ton, and optional higher capacities are available. The hoist is equipped with performance-enhancing features such as a standard upper and lower limit switch, two-speed hoisting, and a ribbed body for efficient heat dissipation throughout.

As alternative energy grows rapidly, Konecranes continues to provide efficient, reliable equipment, deliver experienced, trusted service, and develop innovative lifting solutions that address and enhance manufacturing and maintenance operations for the global wind power community.

About Konecranes  

Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports, and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment and machine tools of all makes. With over 80 years of experience in the material handling industry, the Group has more than 9,900 employees, at more than 485 locations in 43 countries. For more information, please visit www.konecranesamericas.com.