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| HOME | TRANSPORTERS | AGVs | CASE STUDIES | CONTACT INFO. | SITE MAP | |
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| HOME | TRANSPORTERS | AGVs | CASE STUDIES | CONTACT INFO. | SITE MAP | |
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Welcome to WHEELIFTDOERFER'S Heavy Transporter and AGV Group |
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Heavy Capacity In-Plant Transporters and AGV Systems
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The term Wheelift is synonymous with very heavy capacity in-plant transporters in both manually operated and automatic guided vehicle configurations. This new multi-axle equalizing suspension technology, dramatically changes how industry can build and assembly its heavy products.
Low Deck Height 
Omni-Directional Steering
On-Center Rotation Axle Assemblies
Built-in Lift for Loading and Unloading
Two configurations —- Headless or with Power Head
Self Contained — No external hookup required
Choose from LP gas, Diesel or Battery operation
Wireless Handheld Control
Optional Automatic Guidance
Fully Tandem Operating Capable
Fully Equalizing Suspension
Operates on Virtually ANY Condition Floors
Becomes the Ultimate Heavy Product Assembly Tool
Drives Under, Then Lifts and Carries ANY Stand Supported Loads
As the emerging leader in heavy load moving systems, the Wheelift Systems Group of Doerfer Companies manufactures very heavy capacity wheeled transporters and automatic guided vehicles, in the form of engine driven self-propelled AGVs and in-plant SPMT (IP-SPMT) transporters that are used in very large and very heavy assembly operations. While the TDS Automation division of the Doerfer Companies is an established builder of special purpose Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems (AGVs). Doerfer is now using Wheelift fluid equalizing suspension technology to dramatically increase their AGV capacities to ranges that extends to virtually unlimited weight. Although wire and laser guidance is still used when interfacing with, or expanding, existing systems, Doerfer now focuses primarily on inertial guidance for many of its larger heavy move AGV applications. Doerfer has adopted the Siemens based Savant AGV Systems inertial guidance technology as being the most practical for the very heavy capacity AGV systems. Manually driven transporters are typically controlled by hand held pendant or wireless controllers. For heavy moving systems, Wheelift technology based transporters are intended for heavy IN-PLANT assembly operations where moving loads are normally larger than 50-tons.
Due to the much more sophisticated requirements, the transporters needed for ultra heavy moving systems, they can generally only be cost-justified in applications where conventional means CANNOT provide the functionality needed --- that is invariably with loads greater than 30-tons in AGV applications, and 80-tons in operator controlled transporter applications. There are three core technologies that must be present to make these heavy capacity transporters and AGV heavy moving and assembly systems possible — fluid equalizing suspension, on-center rotation axle assemblies, and computerized steering control.
With Doerfer's extensive custom engineered and integrated systems experience and capabilities, they specialize in turnkey solutions for manufacturing and assembly facilities. With the Wheelift technology, that would mean heavy moving systems, such as in the assembly of large mining machinery, heat exchangers, furnaces, and the largest of pressure vessels. Other applications include very large self-loading mold change vehicles for the plastics industries, and shielded containers for radiation waste in ISFSI nuclear processing and storage facilities.
Wheelift™ heavy lifting In-Plant Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (IP SPMT) offer dramatic new manufacturing and assembly line capabilities to industry for IN-PLANT handling applications. While the technology is similar to over-the-road-type SPMTs built in Europe by firms like Nicholas, Goldhofer, Scheuerle, Kamag, Cometto, MAFI, and Gussin, Wheelift’s open-center axle concept allows designs that are much more compact with much lower deck heights, yet with considerably heavier load carrying capacity per axle. And, with solid urethane tire assemblies, they are far more suitable for heavy moving systems across deteriorated floor conditions found in many in-plant assembly and process applications.
Wheelift’s heavy capacity transporters are truly omni directional. Not only do they travel forward and backward, but the capabilities of moving sideways, diagonally, and turning about their own center is standard for all systems. Straight forward PLC programming code is used in Wheelift’s all-directional steer wheel technology and is ideally suited for both automatic and manual navigation. Wheelift wheel assemblies can also be built into the bases of heavy precision tooling fixtures and scaffolding structures where the Wheelift fluid suspension completely isolates the moving tools from undulations and other irregularities in plant floor surfaces. Massive structures can move in any direction with no resistance to reversing direction, essentially emulating precision ground rail movement. This is functionality that is just not possible with conventional rails, wheels, rollers, or castered systems.
This new heavy moving system of equalizing suspension wheel technology is directly applicable to fully automatic heavy AGV applications and operator driven IN-PLANT transporters. While primarily directed toward ultra-heavy tooling, assembly, and process operations, the usage goes to other heavy applications as well, such as fuselage assembly, injection mold and metal stamping die quick change operations, coil carriers, handling jumbo glass fixtures, parent paper rolls, huge fabrications, and machinery where a manufacturer would like to build larger models and equipment than they now have crane capacity for. A plant can now build massive assemblies in facilities where they literally do not have cranes available at all.
Wheelift's capabilities are applicable to virtually ANY process that requires moving heavy loads in tightly congested areas and spaces that have inadequate headroom or capacity for crane coverage.
