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AFE Crane

Name: AFE Crane
Address: 1824 Lincoln Street, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613, US
Telephone: +13192680818

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Overhead Crane & Overhead Material Handling We provide standard crane and hoist solutions as well as custom engineered overhead material handling systems.

AFE Crane (formerly known as American Fabricators & Engineers) has been dedicated to delivering overhead bridge cranes, monorails, and hoisting solutions to the Iowa and Midwest area since 1983. We provide parts and service for many makes and brands of hoists and crane equipment.

10/20/2026

How do you extend overhead crane coverage when a building column is directly in the way?

An Iowa heavy equipment manufacturer needed crane access between a machining center and an adjacent staging area. The existing building layout prevented the runway from extending into the adjacent bay—and a structural column occupied part of the required travel path.

AFE Crane designed a telescoping bridge crane that extended beyond the normal runway footprint, providing the additional hook coverage the application required.

But extending the bridge introduced another challenge: preventing the telescoping beam from contacting the building column.

AFE Crane developed custom controls using photo eyes and interlocking logic to create a controlled no-fly zone around the obstruction.
- Bridge travel slows as the crane approaches the restricted area
- Travel stops before reaching the column
- Telescoping movement toward the column is restricted when the bridge is within the no-fly zone
- Bridge movement toward the column is restricted when the telescoping beam is already extended
- Normal movement becomes available again once the crane is clear of the restricted area

The result allows the crane to use the available hook coverage around the column while restricting specific movements that could bring the telescoping beam into the obstruction.

Read the full case study: https://zcu.ge/1l3

10/13/2026

When is a process crane required instead of a standard overhead bridge crane?

A process crane is engineered for continuous, high-duty-cycle material handling in demanding industrial environments where reliability, precision, and system integration are critical. These cranes are designed to support automated production processes, frequent lifting cycles, and specialized operating conditions while delivering consistent performance over long service lives.

AFE Crane engineers custom process crane systems to meet the unique requirements of each manufacturing operation.

Available features include:

- Continuous-duty crane designs for demanding production environments
- Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) controls for precise load positioning
- Advanced automation and PLC integration
- Condition monitoring systems for predictive maintenance
- Redundant safety systems for critical lifting applications
- Custom-engineered solutions for steel mills, paper mills, automotive manufacturing, and other industrial processes

Whether you're integrating with automated production equipment, handling heavy components, or operating in extreme environments, a process crane can improve productivity, reliability, and long-term operational performance.

Learn more about our Process Crane solutions:
https://zcu.ge/UB7

10/06/2026

What happens when a standard overhead crane can’t provide the hook coverage your process requires?

Capacity is only one part of crane selection. Building columns, adjacent bays, process equipment, walls, existing crane systems, and other obstructions can create areas that a conventional bridge crane cannot easily reach.

Depending on the application, several engineered approaches may be considered:
- Telescoping bridge cranescan extend hook coverage beyond the normal runway envelope.
- Interlock transfer systems can connect separate crane or track systems, allowing the hoist to move between coverage areas.
- Specialty crane systems can be engineered around unusual facility layouts, process requirements, obstructions, or complex load paths.

The best place to start isn’t necessarily with the crane type. Start with the required load path: Where does the load need to go, where does the hook need to reach, and what prevents a conventional crane from getting it there?

Our latest Overhead Lifting Insight takes a closer look at these three approaches and where each may be appropriate.

Read the full article: https://zcu.ge/ItM

09/29/2026

When is a gantry crane the right solution instead of an overhead bridge crane?

A gantry crane provides overhead lifting without requiring attachment to the building structure. Supported by floor-running legs instead of an elevated runway, gantry cranes offer a flexible solution for indoor or outdoor applications where permanent crane systems are impractical, temporary, or not economically justified.

AFE Crane engineers custom gantry crane systems designed to match each facility's lifting requirements, available space, and operating environment.

Available configurations include:

- Freestanding and semi-gantry designs
- Fixed or motorized travel systems
- Indoor and outdoor applications
- Capacities up to 15 tons
- Spans up to 55 feet
- Custom wheel, rail, and structural configurations

Whether you're adding lifting capacity to an existing facility, supporting maintenance activities, or working where building support isn't available, a gantry crane can provide a versatile and cost-effective material handling solution.

📖 Learn more about our Gantry Crane solutions:
https://afecrane.com/crane-equipment/gantry-crane/

09/24/2026

When does it make sense to modernize an older overhead crane instead of replacing it?

For a Cedar Falls, Iowa manufacturer, a 5-ton overhead crane dating back to the 1950s was still an important part of production. Rather than replace the complete crane, the customer chose to modernize the controls to improve operation while working within their project budget.

AFE Crane developed a modernization package that included:
- VFD control for the hoist, trolley and bridge motions
- Radio control for greater operator mobility
- A backup pendant to provide an alternate control method
- Field installation coordinated around production requirements

The VFD upgrade provided smoother acceleration and deceleration, improved operator control, and easier load positioning. Because the crane served a production-critical area, the backup pendant also helped reduce the risk of extended downtime if the radio became unavailable.

The project is a good example of why an aging crane does not automatically need to be replaced. The condition of the equipment, operating requirements and budget should all be considered when evaluating whether to repair, modernize or replace.

Read the full case study: https://zcu.ge/YXa

09/16/2026

How do you safely test high-temperature components while applying side loads?

A custom freestanding jib crane can provide stable, precise material handling for high-temperature testing applications without requiring a permanent foundation. By engineering the crane, support structure, and load fixture as one integrated system, manufacturers can safely apply lateral forces, eliminate unwanted part movement, and maintain flexibility for future equipment relocation.

Our latest AFE Crane Solution | Case Studies in Motion highlights how AFE Crane engineered a custom lifting solution for a manufacturer of precision hydraulic components that needed to test heated parts under lateral loads in a kiln environment.

The custom solution included:

- A freestanding, foundationless jib crane integrated into a structural steel kiln platform
- A reinforced vertical mast with four heavy-duty rollers designed to absorb lateral forces
- A custom fixture holder with integrated rollers to eliminate part swing during testing
- A portable design that could be relocated without requiring a permanent foundation
- Materials selected to withstand high-temperature operating conditions

The result was a stable, portable lifting system that improved testing accuracy, eliminated unwanted part movement, and provided a safer solution for handling high-temperature components.

📖 Read the full case study:
https://afecrane.com/case-studies/custom-jib-crane-solution-for-testing-high-temperature-parts/

09/15/2026

What are the warning signs that an aging overhead crane may be becoming a reliability risk?

An older overhead crane doesn't necessarily need to be replaced simply because of its age. But obsolete components, recurring repairs, limited parts availability, and increasing downtime can make an otherwise functional crane more difficult to support.

A few signs that it may be time to take a closer look:
- Replacement components are becoming difficult to source
- The same problems or repairs keep coming back
- Troubleshooting and repairs are resulting in more downtime
- Existing controls or components no longer meet current operating needs
- There isn't a clear plan if a critical obsolete component fails

None of these automatically mean the entire crane needs to be replaced.

Depending on the condition of the equipment and the application, continued repair, targeted modernization, or replacement may each be appropriate. Identifying potential reliability concerns before a critical failure gives your maintenance and engineering teams more time to evaluate those options.

Have an aging crane that's becoming more difficult to support? AFE Crane can evaluate your existing equipment and help determine a practical path forward.

09/10/2026

How can one operator control two hoists or bridge cranes from a single radio transmitter?

An A/B/Both radio control allows an operator to select Hoist or Crane A, Hoist or Crane B, or operate both together from one transmitter. This can provide greater flexibility for tandem lifting applications while still allowing each hoist or crane to be controlled independently when needed.

A/B/Both controls can be used in several configurations, including two hoists operating on the same bridge or two separate bridge cranes that need to move together.

However, operating both at the same time does not necessarily mean they will remain perfectly synchronized. Differences in operating speeds, drive settings, loading, and equipment characteristics can affect how the equipment moves together.

Our latest Overhead Lifting Insights article explains how A/B/Both radio controls work, where they can be applied, and what should be considered when retrofitting an existing crane system.

Learn more:
https://afecrane.com/overhead-lifting-insights/a-b-both-radio-controls/

09/08/2026

What’s the difference between two-speed and VFD controls on an overhead crane?

Two-speed controls provide two fixed operating speeds—typically a slower speed for positioning and a faster speed for general travel. A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) provides more controlled acceleration and deceleration and can allow multiple or adjustable operating speeds. The right choice depends on the application, required positioning accuracy, duty cycle, and how operators need to handle the load.

For applications that require frequent starts and stops, precise positioning, or smoother load movement, VFD controls may provide advantages over traditional two-speed controls.

VFDs can provide:

- Smoother acceleration and deceleration
- Greater control when positioning loads
- Reduced abrupt starting and stopping
- Adjustable speeds for different operating requirements
- Greater flexibility when configuring crane and trolley motion

Two-speed controls can still be a practical choice for applications where simple operation and two defined speeds provide the control the process requires.

The key is not simply choosing the more advanced control system—it’s specifying the control method that matches how the crane will actually be used.

Learn more about two-speed vs. VFD controls for overhead cranes:
https://afecrane.com/overhead-lifting-insights/two-speed-vs-vfd-controls/

09/03/2026

When is a wall-traveling jib crane the right solution for your facility?

A wall-traveling jib crane combines the lifting capability of a jib crane with the ability to travel horizontally along a wall-mounted runway. This design extends hook coverage across multiple workstations while preserving valuable floor space, making it an efficient solution for production lines, assembly operations, and manufacturing facilities with limited space.

AFE Crane engineers custom wall-traveling jib crane systems to match each facility's layout, workflow, and material handling requirements.

Available features include:

- Wall-mounted runway systems that maximize usable floor space
- Extended hook coverage across multiple workstations
- Foldable jib arms for improved flexibility
- Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) motion control
- Automation options for repetitive material handling
- Audible beacons and visual warning systems to enhance operator safety

Whether you're looking to improve workflow along an assembly line or increase lifting coverage without adding floor-mounted columns, a wall-traveling jib crane can provide a flexible and space-efficient material handling solution.

📖 Learn more about our Wall-Traveling Jib Crane solutions:
https://afecrane.com/crane-equipment/wall-traveling-jib-crane/

Address

1824 Lincoln Street
Cedar Falls, IA
50613

Opening Hours

Monday	7am - 3:30pm
Tuesday	7am - 3:30pm
Wednesday	7am - 3:30pm
Thursday	7am - 3:30pm
Friday	7am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+13192680818

Website

http://afecrane.com/

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