Overhead crane drum

The composition of the overhead crane drum

The overhead crane drum serves as an essential component of lifting machinery, consisting primarily of a drum, drum shaft, gear disc coupling, drum hub, bearing housing, and bearings. It is used in the hoisting mechanism of cranes, where the low-speed shaft of the hoist gearbox is designed as a gear disc. Alternatively, the drum can also be used with a WZL drum coupling, in which the low-speed shaft of the hoist gearbox takes the form of a cylindrical shaft with a flat key. Furthermore, the design and manufacturing quality of the drum assembly directly affect the crane’s performance and safety. Therefore, the selection of its structure and material, as well as the manufacturing process, play crucial roles in ensuring the performance of the drum assembly.

• Structure and Material: The drum assembly is typically made from cast iron with a grade not lower than HT200. For special requirements, we may use ZG340-640 cast steel or Q235B, Q345B steel plates for welding. This selection of materials ensures the drum assembly’s strength and durability, allowing it to withstand various operational challenges.
• Manufacturing Process: The production of the drum assembly involves several steps, including sheet cutting, drum rolling, welding longitudinal seams, inspecting weld quality, and machining allowances. These processes ensure the accuracy and reliability of the drum assembly, thus meeting the high standards required for crane applications.
• Types and Applications: The drum assembly can be classified into different types based on usage requirements, such as single-layer winding, double-layer winding (grooved), and multi-layer winding. Additionally, based on the manufacturing method, the drum can be categorized as either a cast drum or a welded drum. Selecting the appropriate drum type is crucial to ensuring safe crane operation.

The basic parameters of the overhead crane drum:

The basic parameters of the overhead crane drum include the diameter, length, plate thickness, and other relevant dimensions of the drum assembly. These parameters directly impact the performance and applicability of the drum assembly, which in turn affects the crane’s overall performance and efficiency. The specific parameters are as follows:

• • Diameter and Length: The drum’s diameter and length are fundamental dimensions that determine the drum’s wire rope capacity and, therefore, affect the crane’s lifting capacity. For example, a drum with a diameter of 800 mm and a length of 2800 mm has critical parameters that influence its capacity and application range.
  • Plate Thickness: The drum’s plate thickness is another key parameter, directly related to the drum’s load-bearing capacity and durability. Thicker drums, in particular, are suitable for high-tonnage, high-performance lifting machinery.
  • Other Relevant Dimensions: In addition to diameter, length, and plate thickness, the drum assembly includes other relevant dimensions, such as the helical groove design. Such designs can enhance lifting performance, reduce wear on the wire rope and drum, and extend the service life.

WZL type drum                                                         C type drum