Reliable Transport of Special Racks in Automated High-Bay Warehouses

The manufacturing of components for high-voltage substations places demanding requirements on intralogistics in terms of weight, geometry, and process reliability. Our telescopic fork unit D3-90-220-2400 is installed on a stacker crane and handles the transport of special racks designed specifically to carry these high-voltage components. The unit is precisely matched to the available installation space of the stacker crane and integrates into the automated material flow without additional interfaces. Its targeted configuration for the respective load carriers ensures stable and repeatable handling even under demanding load profiles.

Safe Loading of Vacuum Furnaces Under Process-Critical Conditions

A key application of the telescopic fork unit is the loading of vacuum furnaces in which the high-voltage components undergo thermal treatment. With a stroke of 4,800 mm and a unit length of 2,400 mm, the telescopic fork unit reaches even deeply positioned furnace openings safely and enables the controlled transfer of loaded special racks without the need for manual intervention or additional conveyor technology. Positional accuracy and repeatability are critical in this process step, as deviations can disrupt furnace operation. The telescopic fork unit reliably meets these requirements and is designed for continuous use in industrial environments.

Customer-Specific Engineering for a Demanding Application

The solution was developed to precisely match the customers requirements. The result is a system that integrates seamlessly into the existing production process and supports high system availability. Like all AFB solutions, this telescopic fork unit was engineered for reliable 24/7 continuous operation.

Are you planning a similar project or do you have specific requirements for your load handling device? Contact our sales team. We will be happy to advise you and work with you to develop the right solution for your application.

Technical data:

• Load: 750 kg

• Stroke: 4,800 + 50 mm

• Length of the top fork: 2,400 mm

• Length of the unit: 2,400 mm

• Speed (loaded / unloaded): 60 / 60 m/min

• Acceleration (loaded / unloaded): 1 / 1 m/s²

Self weight of the complete unit: approx. 1,925 kg

In modern paint shops, a continuous and reliable materialflow  is crucial for maintaining quality and reducing cycle times. Our D4-0.5-E-1400 telescopic fork was used in an exciting project to supply drying ovens in a paint shop. It precisely transfers painted components to downstream ovens andensures a decoupled, cycle-independent material supply. The defined stroke enables the safe transfer of components even with varying oven lengths, eliminating the need for additional conveyor technology or manual handling.

Support for Buffer Logistics of Painted Parts

The telescopic fork operates at the core of buffer logistics. It enables painted parts to be stored in designated buffer locations and components to be removed from the conveyor system for targeted transfer to the drying ovens. Gentle, low-vibration and precise handling of components is crucial, particularly during sensitive painting processes. Our D4-0.5-E-1400 meets these requirements, contributing to a uniform and controlled flow of materials within the system.

Integration into Existing Systems and Use in Hazardous Areas

The telescopic fork was installed on a customer supplied scissor lift system  with optimal integration into the existing plant structure. This combination enables flexible height adjustment alongside horizontal movement. Particular attention was paid to ensuring the device could be operated safely in potentially explosive areas. The telescopic fork moves into the Ex area in a controlled manner and meets the relevant safety requirements for use in painting environments.

Are You Planning a Similar Project or Do You Have Specific Requirements?

Talk to our sales team—we will be happy to advise you individually and work with you to develop the right solution for your application.

Technichal data:

• Load weight: 300 kg

• Stroke: 3,450 + 30 mm

• Length of the top fork: 1,050 mm

• Length of the unit: 1,400 mm

• Acceleration (loaded / unloaded): 0,5 / 1 m/s²

• Speed (loaded / unloaded): 30 / 60 m/min

• Self weight of the complete unit approx ca. 780 kg

A compact solution was needed for buffer storage of load carriers in an industrial washing system. The challenge was to move and temporarily store load carriers up to 4,500 mm long efficiently in a confined space. Our specially developed telescopic fork, the D4-0.5-E-725, handels this task due to its compact design and long stroke.

Customized design for individual requirements

The telescopic fork was designed so that a stroke of 1,590 + 30 mm can be achieved with a fork length of only 725 mm. This is made possible by the use of a triple-depth telescopic system with four extending profiles. In addition, a customer-specific sheet metal construction was mounted on the top to ensure stable support and precise positioning of the load carriers. To transport the large-volume load carriers safely, the telescopic fork is equipped with three robust forks.

Solid performance in continuous operation

The telescopic fork was designed as a solid unit with three prongs to ensure uninterrupted operational readiness. It is optimally matched to the dimensions and weight of the load carriers. Its durable construction guarantees reliable performance even under 24/7 industrial conditions.

Contact our sales team for more information or to discuss a customized solution for your application. We look forward to advising you!

Technichal data:

• Load weight:75 kg

• Stroke: 1.590 + 30 mm

• Length of the top fork: 470 mm

• Length of the unit: 1.500 mm

• Acceleration (loaded / unloaded): 0,5 / 1 m/s²

• Speed (loaded / unloaded): 30 / 60 m/min

• Self weight of the complete unit approx ca. 665 kg

In a recently completed retrofit project, we successfully integrated a V-D3/2-80-180-1500 telescopic fork unit, including prong adjustment, into an existing high bay warehouse. Previously, a third party device had been used without this adjustment capability, which limited the flexibility to store different load carriers. Our solution: a detailed on-site survey to design the new device for a perfect fit and to integrate it perfectly into the existing warehouse environment.

Feasibility study and presenting the solution

An extensive feasibility analysis was carried out to ensure that the telescopic fork unit would comply the customer’s specific requirements. The result: the telescopic fork unit with prong adjustment provides significant advantages over the previous device. After a successful presentation of the concept, the customer decided to realise it – and now benefits from the latest technology in warehouse logistics.

Customer benefits: flexibility, sustainability and cost efficiency

The customer can now efficiently store a advanced variety of load carriers in the high-bay warehouse, due to the new telescopic fork unit with integrated prong adjustment. This increases flexibility and extends the life of the system by eliminating the need for costly reinvestment in a completely new system. The latest technology ensures a long-term supply of spare parts, contributing to the sustainability of the system.

Are you looking to increase the efficiency and flexibility of your storage system? Contact our after-sales team now for a no-obligation consultation to find out how our solutions can bring your existing systems up to date!

Technichal data:

• Load weight: 2.200 kg

• Stroke 1st position: 1.500 + 30 mm

• Stroke 2nd postion: 2.950 + 32 mm

• Acceleration (loaded / unloaded): 0,3 / 1 m/s²

• Speed (loaded / unloaded): 30 / 60 m/min

• Length of the top fork: 1.350 mm

• Length of the unit: 1.500 mm

• range of the prong adjustment: 372 mm – 1.400 mm

• Self weight of the complete unit approx 1.875 kg

The challenge of integrating modern technology into an existing high-bay warehouse without completely replacing the existing infrastructure requires precise and customised solutions. AFB’s D3-143-695-1350 telescopic fork has been specifically designed to meet the needs of a cosmetics manufacturer to enable this integration seamlessly and efficiently. This retrofit project allowed the introduction of new stacker cranes and load handling devices while retaining the existing racking system.

Technical world-class quality and reliability

AFB equipment is known for its reliability and durability, especially in demanding environments such as 24/7 operation. The specially designed D3 telescopic fork with a top fork width of 695 mm, an extendable height of 143 mm over three profiles and a stroke of 2730 mm, as well as a load capacity of up to 1250 kg. The AFB solution replaces an older model from another manufacturer and offers a significant increase in performance.

Our goal is your success

Rely on AFB’s advanced technology to optimise your warehouse logistics and increase your operational efficiency. Please contact our sales team to find out more about our customised solutions and how we can help you overcome your operational challenges.

Technical data:

• Load: 1.250 kg

• Stroke: 2730 + 30 mm

• Length of the top fork: 1.200 mm

• Length of the unit: 1.350 mm

• Speed (loaded / unloaded): 60 / 80 m/min

• Acceleration (loaded / unloaded): 0,8 / 1,8 m/s²

• Self-weight of the complete unit: approx. 1.165 kg

The time has come: our telescopic fork D3/2 with belt drive is launched on the market. After an intensive planning and test phase as well as 24 h/7 continuous testing, the “D3/2 Belt edition” is ready to handle important intralogistical transport processes faster, better and more successfully. The telescopic fork is suitable for multi-deep storage, where all profiles can be moved together or in steps via two drive units. From the entire planning phase through testing to market readiness, we were able to gain important knowledge for improvments of the device.

Compared to the previous model “D3/2” with chain drive, we have improved the positioning accuracy by using efficient belt technology so that load carriers can be picked up and stored even more reliably with the new telescopic fork. Tolerances during the handover of the load are thus optimised. At the same time, safety distances can be significantly reduced. Another significant advantage of the “D3/2 belt edition” is the up to 20 % reduction in self-weight. In addition, the belt drive enables significantly higher speeds and better acceleration. This reduces the cycle time enormously. The use of a special belt with increased durability also reduces significantly the maintenance intervals compared to telescopic forks with chain drive, since, for example, the “chain elongation” during the start-up phase is no longer necessary.

The advantages at a glance:

• Self-weight reduced by up to 20 %

• Higher speeds and accelerations possible

• Better positioning accuracy

• Increased durability of the drive system

• More maintenance-friendly

Technical data:

• Load weight: 1.000 kg

• Stroke 1st position: 1.400 + 50 mm

• Stroke 2nd postion: 2.800 + 41 mm

• Acceleration unloaded: 3 m/s

• Speed unloaded: 120 m/min

• Length of the top fork: 1.250 mm

• Length of the unit: 1.300 mm

• Self weight of the complete unit (without motors): approx 800 kg

AFB offers special cross-telescopic forks for single or double deep storage of green tires or finished tires. Due to its compact design, it has a particularly narrow extending cross-section. The cross on the top fork enables the direct handling and storage of the green or finished tires without the need for additional load carriers.

• Careful handling of green tires and finished tires thanks to cross-telescopic fork

• Compact intermediate storage and effective use of space due to the thin design with small cross sections

• Guaranteed high process quality for 24/7 operation

• Cost-saving – no additional load carriers needed