Industry Solutions: Heavy Construction Industry
APPLICATION:
This excavator final assembly line is one of three assembly lines using Airfloat's Air Bearing Transporters at a Davenport plant. Final assembly starts with the lower carriage and track unit being placed on the transporter. At the next position the upper carriage assembly is added. Movement from station to station is provided by an air motor powered driver tractor – bringing speed and flexibility to the process.
SOLUTION:
Airfloat LLC designed and built a series of platforms to automate the customers’ assembly line process. Vehicle weight reaches 85,000 pounds as it nears the end of the assembly line and the boom is added. At the final station the assembled excavator, complete except for the bucket, is driven off the transporter.
BENEFITS:
Operator can easily maneuver the loaded platform with the use of friction-free, omni-directional air bearings (Airfloat’s unique design). Operation and assembly time was cut dramatically, resulting in increased productivity. This massive load is carried by 8 - 36" diameter air bearings (4 under each track section) operating at an average pressure of only 12 psi.