At MMI Hoist Systems, we pride ourselves on delivering innovative and reliable lifting solutions across various industries. Recently, we had the privilege of contributing to an exciting project with a notable space technology company based in the Phoenix metro area. This project, located at a regional airport, required our expertise in crane installation to support the next frontier of transportation—space travel.
Despite the unique challenges this project presented, our team’s dedication and collaborative efforts demonstrated MMI’s ability to contribute meaningfully to today’s most exciting technological advancements.
Project Scope
The project involved the installation of two 7.5-ton trackless gantry cranes, each standing 27 feet tall with a 45-foot span. These cranes help perform critical maintenance on state-of-the-art spacecraft, ultimately helping the client come closer to commercializing space travel.
Given the unique demands of space technology, and the delicate maintenance procedures that spacecraft require, it’s essential that these crane systems are precise, efficient, and dependable.
Overcoming Unique Challenges
While the scope of the project was ambitious in and of itself, the real challenge lay in the fact that the gantry cranes were trackless. Normally, cranes rely on either a festoon track system or a bussbar electrification system to maintain power and operate smoothly. However, these methods presented alignment issues for the trackless design of our client’s cranes.
Charles Irwin, Project Manager for MMI Hoist Systems, explained the key concern: “The gantries being trackless posed a problem. We could not use a standard bussbar electrification or festoon track system to power the cranes. The bussbar or festoon track would misalign during movement, creating operational risks. We needed a solution that maintained power without compromising crane functionality.”
To overcome this obstacle, our team brainstormed and tested different ways to provide reliable electrification to the cranes, even during movement. The solution? A 360-degree swivel cable reel, securely welded to the beams above the gantries. This innovation allowed the gantries to move freely in any direction without risking misalignment of the cables. Charles explained, “The 360-swivel cable reel gave us the flexibility we needed to maintain reliable power and safe operation under all conditions.”
Prioritizing Safety
Safety is always the top priority at MMI Hoist Systems, especially when the work is complex and high-risk. This project required meticulous planning and attention to detail from the very beginning in order to ensure a safe environment.
According to Charles, “A clear working area was essential during the erection process. The crews had to use two forklifts to stand the gantries, and maintaining a clear space allowed us to safely complete the task.”
Our team’s commitment to safety didn’t stop at the physical installation. Throughout the entire project, we ensured that all necessary precautions were taken to protect our workers and the client’s sensitive equipment. By following protocols to keep the workspace organized and hazard-free, MMI completed the project without incident, meeting our client’s expectations and keeping our standards of excellence.
Advancing Space Travel with Cutting-Edge Solutions
The successful installation of these two gantry cranes marks a significant milestone not just for MMI Hoist Systems, but for the broader field of space travel technology. These cranes will play a crucial role in enabling precise and essential spacecraft maintenance, which is a critical component in our client’s efforts to commercialize space travel.
In an era where private companies lead the charge in space exploration, it is more important than ever to have innovative tools, precise equipment, and effective systems in place. The 7.5-ton gantry cranes installed by MMI Hoist Systems will streamline operations and help our client keep up with the rigorous demands of spacecraft maintenance as they work toward their ambitious goals.
Collaboration and Innovation
This project’s success was a testament to the collaborative effort between MMI Hoist Systems and our client.
As Charles noted, “Collaboration was key, especially with the electrification problem. The 360-swivel cable reel proved to be the best option, and the ability to adapt to this solution ensured the project’s success.”
The MMI team thrives under challenge, and our success with this project highlights our team’s commitment to creative thinking. Our experience and expertise allowed us to implement innovative solutions that served our client’s best interests and got the job done.
Looking Toward the Future
The space travel industry continues to evolve, and MMI Hoist Systems is proud to contribute to this new era of exploration. We are honored to support the cutting-edge work being done in space technology and are excited to see how our cranes help bring the dream of commercial space travel closer to reality.
From aerospace to manufacturing, MMI Hoist Systems delivers top-tier lifting solutions that meet our clients’ needs, no matter how complex or demanding. Our work on this project not only reaffirms our position as a leader in crane installation, but also aligns with our mission to support future-focused industries. We look forward to playing a vital role in more projects that push industries—and humanity—toward new horizons.
For more information about MMI Hoist Systems and our range of services, visit our website (https://www.mmihoist.com) or follow us on LinkedIn.