WHEELIFT SYSTEMS

By allowing only one wheel module to rotate at a time, the transporter remains “locked to the floor” by three wheel modules as the forth rotates.  Its ability to cause the transporter to “squirm” is virtually eliminated.

When the wheel modules have all aligned for the required maneuver, SyncrhoSteer releases the control for travel. The operator will carefully rotate the far end of the machine until he obtains the degree of parallel alignment he is seeking.  He may now move forward into whatever visual monitoring he and others have deemed appropriate.

X-Y Travel in the Creep Speed Mode:  If the perpendicular centerline of the transporter is not quite aligned with the perpendicular centerline of the docking location, it may be desirable to move some small distance.  While still in the Creep Speed mode, the operator will choose Lateral travel.  Rotating only one wheel module at a time, the wheel alignments will leave the prior maneuver and position themselves for lateral travel.  This group of maneuvers can be continued to the final alignment.

HARD STOP DOCKING

Utilizing the Uniload Suspension for Precision Docking:

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