Design of a capacity upgrade for a 500 t ingot lifting clamp

The clamp was designed to be lifted by a 600-ton Danieli overhead crane.

The equipment consists of a system of linkages that allow the two gripping arms, under the action of the lifting force exerted by the crane hoist, to support an ingot weighing up to 5,000 kN between the gripping tips.

The clamp was designed to be lifted by the 600-ton Danieli overhead crane operating in the forging bay of SdF S.r.l. Therefore, the dimensions of the anchoring system and the related pins are such as to allow coupling with the hook of the aforementioned crane, and the overall height and width are compatible with the geometric constraints of the roof structure, the installed equipment, and the processes in the bay where it operates.

To open and close the clamp, it is necessary to actuate the engagement/disengagement pawl that connects the tie rods. The pawl is activated by moving the clamp through an additional opening stroke until it reaches its maximum opening position.