Work Station Crane Terminology
Axial Load:
 The total vertical force applied to the supporting structure.
Formula:
 Axial load = (overall weight of the crane) + (design factor x weight of load)
Boom:
 The horizontal track of a Work Station Jib crane, in which the hoist trolley rides, which rotates about the pivot.
Bridge Length:
 The overall length of a bridge. Note: The Working Length or Hook Coverage of the bridge is less than the overall bridge length.
Buffer Assembly:
 A floating spacer that rides in the runway between two bridges (or hoist trolleys) to prevent a concentrated overload between hanger points. It physically separates the bridges or trolleys a minimum distance apart.
Column:
 The column of a free standing bridge crane is one of the "legs" on which the crane stands, and is made of square tube.
Deflection:
 The difference in elevation of the track between an unloaded crane and a fully loaded crane; usually measured in inches. Typical Gorbel designs are L/450 for bridge cranes, L/320 for wall mounted work station jibs, and L/200 for free standing work station jibs and L/450 for aluminum work station jibs (AL100), where L= support center distance or span.
Header:
 The horizontal member of a free standing bridge crane’s support structure, made of two back-to-back channels, from which the runways are hung.
Overall Height (OAH):
 The distance from the floor to the top-most point on a crane (should include hardware).
Span (of Bridge):
 The distance between the center line of the runways. The span must be distinguished from the Overall Length (OAL) of bridge, which is larger than the span.
Formula (for most cranes):
 Span = {OAL bridge - (2 x bridge cantilever dimension)}
Support Center:
 The distance between the center line of the two support columns or hangers along a runway. Note that support centers determine what track style is required.
Supporting Structure:
 For a free standing bridge crane, the supporting structure refers to the support assembly, also called the Goal Post or End Frame, consisting of the columns and header. For a ceiling mounted system, the supporting structure is the ceiling, including trusses, stringers, columns, etc., from which the crane is hung.
Trolley:
 Saddle Height (TS): On a Free Standing Bridge Crane, this is the height from the top of the saddle of the hoist trolley (the clevis pin from which the hoist is actually hung) to the floor.