2.3 Guide rail

Guide rails must be designed to meet the specific application. Loaded trucks can weigh up to 3500 kg and travel at speeds up to 12 km/h. Consequently, a poorly conceived or installed rack system could become a chronic maintenance problem in a short time.

Many effective rail systems are constructed using a common grade of rolled structural steel.

All rail guided trucks can use an angle section of 100 mm x 75 mm x 9 mm (h x w x t) or U-section of 100 mm x 50 mm x 6 mm as a guide rail with normally satisfactory results. Abusive conditions, of course, would call for a more substantial material and anchoring system.

Figure 6. Guide rail cross sections

Installation considerations:

 Suggested design for in-aisle guidance: o Rail Section = 100 mm x 75 mm x 9 mm L-section or Rail Section = 100 mm x 50 mm x 6 mmU-section. o Anchor Size = M16, Embedment Depth = 90 mm in 20 MPa concrete (minimum), Spacing = 600mm.  Guide rollers must be below the top of any structural guide rail to assure a long life. If over the top, there is a tendency for the roller to ride above the rail with a potential for damaging both rail androller.  Rail sections must be welded together and the welds must be grindeddown.  Excessive clearance between guide rollers and guide rail can produce rebounding and severe shock loading to both rollers and rail – shortening the life expectancy of both.

Figure 7. Main dimensions of the rail guided truck