To ensure the smooth flow of heavy components, the conveyor technology must be precisely tailored to the local conditions - the customer's requirements determine the solution. At car manufacturer VW, the task was to find an alternative to a rail-mounted device. The requirements were clear: the system must be able to travel in all directions without taking up too much space. The vehicle should also be able to reliably transport both tools and heavy coils, from which blanks for side panels, doors, front and tailgates are pressed, on a suitable loading area in the press shop. And: the material flow must be reliably guaranteed at all times - regardless of whether coils need to be transported to press lines, tools need to be moved to or from machines or tools need to be replaced.

The heavy-duty platform transporter from Hubtex was chosen. The manufacturer of special conveyor tools from Fulda adapted the basic model for the specific transport task. A vehicle with a flat loading area is required for the tools, which weigh up to 50 tons. A recess is also required due to the coil transport. Hubtex met these design requirements. "Initially, we discussed a removable coil attachment for the SFX 65 heavy-duty platform transporter," says Stephan Rückert, Sales Conveyor Technology at Hubtex, looking back on the initial discussions. But then the engineers had an even better idea.

Raised frame for the special case

The solution was a customized extension of the basic SFX 65 vehicle with a raised frame. In addition to a flat surface on which the tools can rest, the SFX platform vehicle is equipped with a recess in the middle for safe coil transport. Thanks to the modular design, this equipment is possible without any major design changes to the vehicle. Thanks to its PU tires, the SFX 65 is ideal for the desired indoor use - and is also suitable for outdoor use.

Small turning radius, simple operation

Users appreciate the vehicle's small footprint. Small turning radii are possible thanks to the two-way steering. The standard operation of the transport vehicle is via cable and radio remote control. Functions for integrating the platform truck into automated processes can also be integrated into the SFX series from the general Hubtex automation modular system. With the SFX 65 for tools up to a maximum of 65 tons and coils up to a maximum of 32 tons, the car manufacturer benefits from safe and flexible transport.