New VDWF guideline for the design of transport bridges

The "Guideline for the static design of transport bridges in tool and mold making" was developed to increase and verify safety in the manufacturing industry. It not only provides the designer with the necessary guidelines to build transport bridges that meet the requirements, but also offers an easy-to-use Excel tool that automatically generates the right profile for a transport bridge.

Transport bridges are used for the safe handling of tools and molds in production. They are a fixed part of a tool or mold and, in addition to their load-bearing capacity, also ensure that the individual moving parts cannot slip apart. The VDWF has now responded to several requests for an uncomplicated verification of the safety of such transport bridges: A 10-page guideline has been drawn up under the leadership of Dirk Falke.

With clear requirements for calculation methods, static design, national and international norms and standards as well as materials and construction methods, the guideline is intended to ensure that transport bridges are designed to meet the specific requirements of tool users. "Companies are responsible for ensuring that their employees only use work equipment that has been proven to be safe," explains Falke, explaining the background. At the same time, it must be possible to provide this proof as quickly and smoothly as possible, which is now the case thanks to the new directive and the tool it provides, explains the engineer. Values such as the weight of the tool, the holding point distance, screw and material specifications etc. can be entered into a simple Excel spreadsheet in order to obtain proof that the dimensioned transport bridge meets all safety requirements.


Reliable results with minimal effort

The guidelines also include specifications for marking, inspecting, maintaining and documenting the transport bridge to ensure its long-term safety and load-bearing capacity. This serves to detect damage that may occur outside the sphere of influence of the tool and mold making companies. "After all, the toolmaker should not have to accept liability for something for which he is not responsible," emphasizes Falke.

Overall, the new guideline therefore offers proof of safety standards - and therefore occupational health and safety - while at the same time being easy to apply. The effort required is minimal, assures Falke, the tool is easy to use and the result is comprehensively reliable - and therefore a great support for design engineers. Special thanks go to the experts at RUD Ketten in Aalen for their significant technical support in the development of the guideline.

The guideline is now available free of charge from the VDWF store.