Slab Handling Overhead Crane: Metallurgical-Grade Crane for Continuous Casting and Slab Yards

The slab handling overhead crane is a specialized piece of equipment for the metallurgical industry, primarily used for handling, stacking, loading, and unloading hot or cold slabs in continuous casting lines and finished slab yards.

As one of KUANGSHAN CRANE's core products, slab handling overhead crane is capable of stable operation in steel plant environments characterized by strong radiant heat, heavy loads, and continuous duty cycles.

Core Advantages and Technical Highlights

1. PLC Interlinked Control + HMI Interface for Efficient Operation

• The operator's console is equipped with a PLC module and an HMI touchscreen, enabling intelligent control and real-time visualization of operating data.
• Fitted with a WLK master controller, featuring clear tactile feedback, distinct gear positions, and zero-position auto-reset and locking functions, improving operational safety and response accuracy.

2. High-Temperature-Oriented Structural Design with Advanced Thermal Insulation

• Key structural components, such as the main girder and end beams, adopt thermal insulation and protective measures to withstand intense radiant heat from continuous casting areas.
• Designed to handle slabs at temperatures above 650°C, ensuring long-term stable operation in metallurgical workshops.

3. Long-Life Crane Wheel Technology with ~20% Improved Wear Resistance

• Crane wheels utilize a forged rolling composite process, which increases their service life by approximately 20% compared to conventional forging processes.
• Fully meets the requirements of high loads, frequent start-stop cycles, and long travel distances in slab handling operations.

Applications of Slab Handling Overhead Crane

Finished slab yard stacking

Slab transfer in continuous casting lines

Typical Application Case: Rizhao Steel Quality Base 50+50T Project

Recently, a 50+50T slab tong overhead crane developed by our company for Shandong Iron & Steel Group Rizhao Quality Base was officially put into operation, providing strong support for continuous and intelligent steel production.

Operational Challenges

• Slab temperatures exceeding 650°C with intense radiant heat
• High operating frequency requires stable, precise, and continuous performance
• Extremely high requirements for lifting accuracy and safety of the tong device

KUANGSHAN CRANE Solution

• Equipped with electrically adjustable positioning slab tongs, suitable for slabs of different specifications
• Integrated monitoring systems, sensing systems, weighing systems, and digital speed control systems
• An interlinked system control enabling more precise tong positioning
• Multiple automation technologies are enhancing operational efficiency and safety

Operating Results

• Significantly improved positioning accuracy and smoother lifting operations
• More stable performance under high radiant heat conditions with strong adaptability
• Substantially reduced maintenance workload and improved overall operating efficiency
• Providing an “acceleration boost” for steel production, achieving simultaneous increases in output and efficiency

The successful operation of this equipment aligns with the industry trend toward larger lifting capacities, longer spans, higher speeds, and greater automation in crane development.

Contact Us for Customized Solutions

Based on your plant layout, slab dimensions, temperature conditions, operating cycles, and automation level requirements, we can provide:

• Operating condition evaluation
• Technical solution design
• Layout drawings and equipment selection
• Slab tong and lifting device solutions
• Automation upgrade configurations

Contact us to build a more reliable, more efficient, and longer-service-life slab handling overhead crane solution tailored to your needs.