A key project of the National Science and Technology Support Program spanning the 12th Five-Year Plan and the 13th Five-Year Plan, "Research and Application of Key Lightweight Technologies for Bridge Cranes," initiated by the Ministry of Science and Technology and implemented by the China Machinery Industry Federation, has made breakthrough progress after two years of joint efforts by the project undertaker and co-undertakers. Recently, the China Machinery Industry Federation organized a strong scientific and technological team to conduct comprehensive testing and mid-term inspection and review of the reducer, a core transmission equipment for cranes. The review fully affirmed the project's progress and its multiple technological breakthroughs. This provides a complete advanced technological support system to further promote the transformation and upgrading of China's cranes towards precision, lightweight, and green energy saving, catching up with international advanced levels. Beijing Institute of Crane and Transportation Machinery Design took the lead in undertaking the research and development of the project "Research and Application of Key Lightweight Technologies for Bridge Cranes," a science and technology support project spanning the 12th and 13th Five-Year Plans, commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The core equipment and independent project in this project, "Research and Application of Key Lightweight Reducer Technologies for Bridge Cranes," was undertaken by Jiangsu Tailong Reducer Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Tailong Reducer Company"), in collaboration with Beijing Institute of Crane and Transportation Machinery Design, Zhengzhou Machinery Research Institute, Chongqing University, and Jiangsu University of Science and Technology. From January 2015 to December 2017, the research and project promotion work was carried out in a hierarchical and thematic manner. According to Yin Aiguo, general manager of Jiangsu Tailong Reducer Company, over the past two years since the beginning of 2015, Tailong Reducer Company and four co-organizing units have formed a scientific and technological alliance to implement scientific and technological innovation and development and research of lightweight reducers for cranes. Based on the spirit of the "Optimization Design Report" and "Mechanics Analysis Report" for bridge cranes, technical documents such as "Type Spectrum of Lightweight Reducers for Bridge Cranes," "Structural Optimization Design Report of Lightweight Reducers," and "Application Report of New Materials for Lightweight Reducers" were completed. Using parameterized, modular design and noise reduction design methods, the dynamic analysis, key component manufacturing, quality control, testing, and application of lightweight reducers were implemented, and the research and product manufacturing achieved phased results. According to the on-site inspection by the experts of the testing and review group, Tailong Reducer Company has completed the manufacture of prototypes of two specifications of lightweight reducers, QQY315 and QQY400, as well as the overall design and manufacturing equipment drawings of three specifications of products, QQY450, QQY630, and QQY710. The design and manufacturing of the test bench and the setting of special testing equipment for the new reducer have also been completed.

Compared with the JB/T10817 reducer used with traditional cranes, the lightweight reducer has achieved a 20% increase in power density, a 10% reduction in weight, and a 3dB (decibel) reduction in noise. Bridge cranes using this transmission equipment can reduce the overall weight by 15%~20% and reduce energy consumption by more than 10%, laying a solid technological foundation for China's cranes to reach international advanced levels and achieve lightweight, intelligent, and green manufacturing.

The lightweight double-track electric wire rope hoist The core of the innovative transformation is to optimize the reducer structure and implement the transformation and upgrading of the crane. The main structure of the lightweight crane uses an "I"-shaped beam to replace the heavy overall installation platform of traditional products; the reducer support points are semi-European style, set between the wheel beams of the crane through the drum bearing seat and the reducer support; the spline output shaft of the reducer is connected to the drum flange through a rigid conical joint; the lifting motor is fixed to the reducer housing through a flange; the lifting brake is installed at one end of the high-speed shaft of the reducer, and the base is fixed to the reducer housing... This greatly shortens the cantilever length of the motor, adapts to larger torque transmission, and withstands huge radial loads. Its support form is scientific, and the force distribution is reasonable, giving the new crane the unique function of high-precision and high-power operation.

Yin Genzhang, chairman of Jiangsu Tailong Machinery Group Co., Ltd. and president of the China Reducer and Gearbox Industry Association, introduced to this reporter that lightweight bridge cranes are the future direction of development in China. Currently, China's traditional crane market has a total volume of 100,000 units, with a huge industrial scale and broad application prospects. The development and research of lightweight reducers can reduce the weight of bridge cranes by 15%~20% and save 100,000~150,000 tons of high-grade steel annually. With the advancement of the "Made in China 2025" strategy and the needs of China's current scientific and technological development and national economic construction, the application of lightweight cranes can significantly reduce the height of major buildings, and the building structure will correspondingly transform towards lightweight, precision, energy saving, and conservation. This will play an important supporting role in promoting the transformation of China's manufacturing from large to strong, enhancing the core competitiveness of the equipment manufacturing industry, and promoting China's equipment manufacturing industry to catch up with international advanced levels, producing a positive and far-reaching impact.