Material handling modernization: Stabilizing critical bio-loads in veterinary necropsy

Q: What mechanism prevents power loss in the Safpowrbar® system during curved travel?

Safpowrbar® uses a sliding shoe collector rigidly mounted to the Tarca® web. Because the conductor bar moves in unison with the rigid track, the geometric relationship between collector and conductor remains constant, ensuring uninterrupted continuity even on curves.

Q: Can the Cleveland Tramrail® system utilize existing support structures?

Yes, Tarca® Track can often be suspended from existing overhead steel or ceiling grids using specialized hanger assemblies that allow for controlled float without the chaotic swaying associated with loose rod hangers.

Structural deflection and electrification failure

The necropsy laboratory at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine operates as a critical biological containment zone. It examines deceased livestock to prevent disease proliferation. The operational workflow involves transporting animal carcasses—ranging from equine specimens to one-ton bulls—from a loading dock, through cold storage, and into the necropsy suite.

The facility relied on a legacy I-beam monorail system dating back to the late 1960s. The system utilized a standard rolled steel I-beam suspended by hanger rods. This suspension method lacked the lateral rigidity required for dynamic loads on curved track sections. When heavy carcasses were maneuvered around curves, the eccentric loading caused the I-beam to deflect and the hanger rods to sway.

This structural deviation created a secondary failure mode: electrification loss. The facility had retrofitted the hoist with an electrification bar to replace dangling cables. However, the track misalignment caused the collector shoes to lose contact with the conductor bar, instantly cutting power. This resulted in "stranded loads"—leaving massive biohazards suspended in mid-air, accessible only by facility maintenance intervention. This caused downtime averaging twice weekly for the final six months of the system's life.

High-rigidity composite rail architecture

To eliminate rail deflection and ensure continuous power delivery, the facility specified a Cleveland Tramrail® Monorail System.

Unlike the single-piece rolled steel of the previous I-beam, the Cleveland Tramrail® solution utilizes Tarca® Track. This composite rail features a dedicated high-carbon alloy steel operating tread and a solidified mild steel top flange and web. This engineering profile provides superior strength-to-weight ratios and exceptional vertical and lateral rigidity, specifically designed to resist the torsion and swaying that plagued the previous installation.

Integration of Tarca® Track and Safpowrbar®

The installation involved replacing the legacy infrastructure with a 2-ton capacity system comprising approximately 90 feet of straight and curved Tarca® Track.

Visually, the new system introduces a robust yellow structural profile into the clinical white environment of the necropsy lab. The installation extends from the external loading dock—supported by a heavy-duty freestanding steel gantry—through the building envelope and into the cold storage and examination rooms. The track layout retained the necessary curves but replaced the unstable rod suspension with rigid mountings compatible with the Tarca® profile.

To address the power continuity issues, the system integrated Safpowrbar® electrification. This enclosed conductor bar system is mounted rigidly to the track web. This ensures that the collector shoe maintains constant pressure and alignment even as the hoist navigates tight radii under maximum load.

Zero deflection and restored operational continuity

The retrofit immediately neutralized the facility's downtime. The rigidity of the Tarca® Track eliminated the rail deviation, ensuring that heavy loads could be transported around curves without interrupting the power supply.

Reliability: Eliminated the frequent failure rate associated with the I-beam system, which was down twice per week on average.
Safety: Removed the risk of suspended loads requiring manual maintenance intervention.
User Feedback: Dr. Newton, a facility lead, noted the system's structural integrity: "It's very rigid. I don't expect any deviation from this rail at all".

Technical FAQs

1. How does Tarca® Track effectively mitigate the deflection issues seen in standard I-beam monorails? Standard I-beams are rolled from soft mild steel and are designed primarily for static structural support, not dynamic wheel loading. Tarca® Track is a composite beam with a raised, hardened alloy steel tread and a web/flange geometry specifically engineered for overhead lifting. This results in a stiffer rail that resists the lateral twisting and spreading often caused by heavy loads moving through curved sections.

2. What mechanism prevents power loss in the Safpowrbar® system during curved travel? Power loss in legacy systems often results from rail sway causing the collector shoe to "jump" off the bar. Safpowrbar® uses a sliding shoe collector inside an insulating PVC housing that is rigidly mounted to the Tarca® web. Because the conductor bar moves in unison with the rigid track—and the track itself resists deflection—the geometric relationship between the collector and the conductor remains constant, ensuring uninterrupted continuity.

3. Can the Cleveland Tramrail® system utilize existing support structures? In many retrofits, yes. While the hanger rods at Auburn University contributed to the instability, Tarca® Track can often be suspended from existing overhead steel or ceiling grids using specialized hanger assemblies (like Teflon-coated ball and socket fittings) that allow for controlled float without the chaotic swaying associated with loose rod hangers.