WHEELIFT SYSTEMS

Utilizing the Uniload Suspension for Precision Docking:

The combination of Wheelift’s all-wheel electric drives and the independent on-center rotation of each axle assembly, provides the foundation for precision alignment.  Aside from effortless steering under full load, precision alignment is one of the key root capabilities.   When mating huge components in assembly operations, the transporter(s) are put into a “creep speed” mode. Major changes in direction, such as moving into a near touch position and then having to move a few millimeters laterally, when the operator selects “Lateral” mode the programming allows only one or two axles to rotate.
As fully explained at the Wheelift Website, the equalizing suspension can be used in many ways. Precision docking is one of those important uses.

Shot Pins: For relatively accurate position ability, a reasonably large diameter vertical sliding shaft (normally with a tapered and bull nosed end) is inserted into a matching socket in the floor and the transporter is then lowered to floor contact. Adjustable pads on the base of the transporter can come done onto reference plates in or on the floor to establish the Z relationship. Because of the relatively light weight of the Northrop transporter, the shot pin can easily force final alignment.

Shallow Taper Pads: Shallow tapered pads that are precision placed in the floor can provide a self-cleaning interface with the transporter.  In a docking position, the shallow tapered pads point up; let other traffic, including the transport, to drive over them without significant difficulty.  Typically there are to taper pads with matching tapered sockets in the transporter base.  It is desirable to make the sockets in the transporter adjustable in X, Y, and Z.   Flat plates take up the opposing two corners of the transporter.

Bumpers:  Elastomeric bumpers can be used effectively for relatively close alignment.  If the alignment is only parallel, the transporter would ease into contact and then apply enough force on the drive motors to assure the desired force alignment. If X AND Y alignments are required, then a vertical taper in the pads can accommodate a matching protrusion on the transporter.  Z-alignment pads can also be considered.

Summation: There is much more that can be written and information that can be transferred, but it is beyond the scope of the time currently available.  The nuances of how to take full advantage of all of Uniload and SynchroSteer’s unique capabilities, while all relatively simple and practical, are foreign to the norm of machine design.  It is easy to misunderstand various functionalities, because they tend to be interdependent on each other.  Something that seems at cursory examination may have interconnecting facets that can be overlooked or dismissed unwittingly.

The Wheelift website contains a wealth of information that needs to be carefully studied and revisited often during an OEM’s initial design phases.

For additional information contact:

Steve Lamer at our field office in Madison, WI 608 345 4445