This steel processing plant used to rely mainly on overhead cranes to move steel coils. With multiple production lines sharing a single crane, there was often a waiting list and scheduling was confusing. Sometimes it would take up to half a day to move a coil from one process to the next, directly slowing down the overall production rhythm. At the same time, the steel coils were prone to shaking during the lifting process, there was a risk of collision, and several safety problems related to lifting operations had occurred in the workshop. The customer wanted a more stable transportation method running on a fixed route to replace part of the crane operation and ease the transportation pressure on site.
We designed a 20-ton RGV for the site, taking into account the site conditions and the size of the coils. The body of the vehicle is made of high-strength steel structure, and the platform is equipped with a special bracket for placing steel coils, which can effectively limit the rolling of steel coils to avoid deflection or collision during transportation, and the load capacity also matches the customer’s usage requirements perfectly.
RGV transfer cart has an integrated scissor lift mechanism and the platform height can be adjusted to accommodate the height difference between upstream and downstream equipment. Steel coils can be transported directly between the truck and the equipment without additional lifting assistance, thus avoiding the trouble of secondary transportation.
The RGV system is guided by a ground track with a fixed running path and a positioning accuracy of ±5 mm, ensuring smooth and drift-free operation. In addition, we optimized the vehicle size to fit the limited space in the workshop, and the rail can be installed without major modifications to the existing layout, thus ensuring excellent adaptability.
The customer’s coil handling process has changed dramatically since the equipment was put into operation:
The frequency of use of bridge cranes has been significantly reduced. The coils are transported along a fixed path mainly by RGVs (Railway Ground Vehicles), and the queuing of bridge cranes, which was a common problem before, has virtually disappeared, increasing inter-process transportation efficiency of almost 60%.
The combination of the RGVs and special brackets ensures smooth operation of the coils throughout the transportation process, eliminating the collision and damage problems that were common in previous lifting operations. Damage to workpieces and equipment has been reduced to almost zero.
In actual use, manual dispatching is significantly reduced. The equipment is controlled by a PLC system and operates automatically according to the set routes, eliminating the need for constant monitoring or frequent communication and coordination. This not only saves labor, but also reduces the problems caused by poor communication.
Compared with the original lifting method, RGVs run more stably on the ground track. The equipment itself is equipped with anti-collision and emergency stop devices, reducing operational risks. After being put into use, the safety hazards related to steel coil handling in the workshop have been significantly reduced.
RGV transfer cart system has become an important piece of equipment in the customer’s workshop transportation chain. The advantages of the system have been realized over time:
Firstly, RGV motorized transfer cart is designed for heavy cylindrical materials such as steel coils. Both the support structure and the operation method are more suitable for the actual working conditions, and no additional modifications are required.
Secondly, the rail-type operation ensures a fixed transportation path, which is suitable for frequent and repetitive transfer needs in the workshop, and the operation is also more stable and reliable.
The lifting function solves the problem of docking height differences and eliminates the need for the customer to adjust the layout of the workstation, thus saving retrofitting costs and time.
With lower long-term operating and maintenance costs and more stable operating efficiency than traditional overhead crane lifting methods, the RGV transfer cart system helps customers establish a low-cost, highly reliable steel coil transportation chain.
Many steel mills are faced with the challenges of steel coil handling, and this customized solution meets those challenges. Rail-mounted RGV material handling equipment is perfectly suited to the industry’s needs and can significantly improve productivity and optimize daily plant operations. If you want to improve material handling processes and reduce handling-related safety risks, choose the Perfect solution: integrate RGV transfer carts into your existing production line and easily upgrade your material handling operations.
