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Case Study

Fabricating Workshop Crane

Lee Fabricating

Lee Fabricating is a family-owned trailer manufacturer based in Wagga Wagga, NSW. They specialise in crafting robust cattle trailers designed for both on-road and off-road conditions typical in Northern Australia. With a strong reputation for quality and durability, their trailers are built to withstand the harshest environments while delivering reliability for livestock transport operations. To further improve their manufacturing efficiency, Lee Fabricating engaged Quantech Design to develop and certify a custom overhead crane system, tailored to optimise workflow and make full use of their workshop space.

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Challenges

We had a few interesting hurdles to overcome in designing this solution:
 

  • Custom Crane Requirement – Lee Fabricating required a completely new overhead crane to assist in the manufacture of their stock trailers. Off-the-shelf solutions were unsuitable, particularly in meeting the required hook height and efficient use of shed space.
     

  • Hook Height & Spatial Constraints – The crane needed to achieve a hook height sufficient to lift tall components such as stock trailer side walls, while also extending as close as possible to the shed walls to maximise floor space and workflow efficiency.
     

  • Structural & Compliance Demands – The crane design had to comply with Australian Standard AS 1418, with engineering-grade finite element analysis (FEA) verifying that stresses and deflections in all structural members remained within allowable limits.
     

  • Efficiency & Deadlines – The full CAD design and engineering analysis had to be completed before the Christmas break, creating time pressure for Quantech Design to deliver a compliant, fully certified design within a compressed timeline.
     

Solution

Collaborating with the Lee Fabricating team, we considered the following in the design:

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  • Custom Overhead Runway Design – Quantech Design engineered a fully bespoke overhead runway crane system for Lee Fabricating, incorporating two double-beam runways rated to 3,500 kg WLL each. The use of a dual-beam system, rather than a larger single beam, kept the vertical profile low and enabled a higher hook height — essential for lifting tall trailer side walls within the available shed clearance.
     

  • Maximising Space & Functionality – To meet the client’s requirement of operating as close as possible to the shed walls, the crane geometry was carefully developed through early collaboration with Lee Fabricating. This close engagement ensured the design struck the right balance between hook height, reach, and structural efficiency, while maximising the usability of floor space.
     

  • Modular & Extendable – The runway system was designed in 16m modular segments, allowing for straightforward extension in either direction. The initial installation extended to 48m in total length, providing extensive coverage of the workshop floor while maintaining future flexibility.
     

  • Engineering-Grade Validation – Comprehensive analysis was undertaken using engineering-grade finite element analysis (FEA) to verify the strength and deflection behaviour of all major components. This ensured compliance with Australian Standard AS 1418 for cranes and provided Lee Fabricating with confidence in the crane’s long-term performance.
     

  • Collaborative Development – The design process was highly collaborative, with multiple iterations reviewed alongside Lee Fabricating. Early-stage discussions around weight, hook height, and wall proximity allowed the concept to be refined in line with the client’s manufacturing needs and workflow requirements.
     

Results

Quantech Design’s crane design helped to provide the perfect solution for Lee Fabricating, and they couldn't be more pleased with the result. To summarise:

 

  • The custom overhead runway crane designed for Lee Fabricating provided a highly effective solution tailored to their trailer manufacturing operations.
     

  • Improved Workflow Efficiency – The crane enabled faster, safer handling of large trailer frames and components, significantly streamlining workshop operations.
     

  • Maximised Shed Utilisation – By extending close to the shed walls and achieving the necessary hook height, the design ensured optimal use of available floor and vertical space.
     

  • Compliance & Reliability – Engineering-grade analysis and compliance with AS 1418 gave Lee Fabricating confidence that the crane could perform safely and reliably under demanding conditions.
     

  • Future Expandability – The modular 16m runway design allowed the system to be extended in either direction, ensuring the crane can adapt as workshop needs evolve.
     

  • Collaborative Outcome – Close cooperation between Quantech Design and Lee Fabricating ensured that the final solution addressed all dimensional and functional requirements, resulting in a practical, future-proof asset for their operations.
     

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