Programmed
for success
- Fifty years of the Demag KBK crane construction kit
- World market leader for light crane systems
- “Experience. The future” campaign launched
The Demag KBK modular crane construction kit was first
presented to the market in 1963. Since then, more than 10,000
kilometres of KBK profile have been marketed and the crane construction kit has
been continuously further developed. Today,
Terex Material Handling serves a wide variety of customers in many different
industries and is seen as an innovator and worldwide market leader for light
crane systems made of steel and aluminium. The spectrum of applications ranges from individual
workplace solutions to complete intra-logistical installations.
The foundation for this
continuing success was laid fifty years ago with the development of the “Junior
System”. “The development of the Demag KBK crane construction kit was the
multi-sector response to the demands of a rapidly changing industrial landscape.”
says Marc Rieser, Senior Director of the business line Modular Cranes at Terex
Material Handling. “With the KBK system, we were the first to offer a modular,
highly flexible, smoothly working and also relatively cheap crane solution for
the handling of loads in the workplace. That was revolutionary at the time.”
So the KBK crane construction kit
created a new crane segment, characterised by the greatest possible degree of
modularity and flexibility. It permits made-to-measure customer-specific applications,
as well as later adaptations and extensions.
The very first buyers were mostly
from the automotive industry which, in the sixties, was enjoying a rapid upturn
and was looking for suitable handling solutions in order to organise fast
growing car production more efficiently and to assist workers with the
increasing complexity of their work. That was the start of the success story of
the Demag KBK crane construction kit.
Continuous
system expansion
Only two years later came the market launch of the KBK II, designed for
loads up to 2,000 kg. In addition to the development of further profile types,
numerous components were also developed which make the KBK a fully featured
system construction kit, drawn on by planners and project engineers all over the
world. As well as smoothly running trolleys and system suspension fittings, the
extensive system program also includes turntables and track switches.
The range of applications has also been extended with KBK ergo
components, which are ideally suited for the fitting of handling devices such
as manipulators, for example. Apart from further innovations, the years 2001
and 2010 in particular mark important stages of development. The first
presentation of the KBK Aluline series was followed by the establishment of KBK
II-H for distances between suspensions of more than 6 m and profile
section loads of up to 1,200 kg
Unique application range
With the Demag KBK light crane
system, Terex Material Handling today offers a modular system construction kit
for overhead transport solutions in graduated load ranges up to 3,200 kg.
Single and double-girder suspension cranes, suspension monorails, slewing jibs
and cranes, as well as portal and stacker cranes can all be individually
configured.
They can be used as a stand-alone
solution with suspension monorails and linear transport up to area-serving
crane systems for an overall integrated logistics solution. The KBK light crane
system offers many possibilities for handling loads quickly, safely and
efficiently above the production level.
Different profile section sizes
can be used for suspension crane runways and girders. Profile sections for
loads weighing up to 2,000 kg are hollow track sections with protected
inside running surfaces. The KBK III profile of outside-running design is
available for loads weighing up to 3,200 kg. To prevent bending stresses
and to minimise horizontal forces in the superstructure, the profiles are
suspended so as to allow pendulation. Plastic shells in the ball joints cushion
impacts, reduce noise and minimise maintenance work.
A further strength is system
compatibility
Another advantage of the KBK
system is that practically all profile
sections can be combined in one installation. Besides steel profile sections in
six different sizes, the modular system also includes aluminium profiles. KBK
Aluline is the lightweight element of our KBK light crane system. This is the
right solution wherever a track and crane installation has to provide high
performance combined with low weight. The areas of application are extremely
varied, as the aluminium crane system permits a multitude of individually
dimensioned suspension crane and runway installations. The anodised surface
gives the profile an almost weightless appearance and an attractive finish. KBK Aluline
also stands for the extremely convenient and smooth handling of loads weighing
up to 1,000 kg.
Here too, the modular
construction permits later adaptations and additions. It is also possible to
combine aluminium and proven steel profile sections in one installation and, in
this way, to generate cost benefits. For example, a steel profile section can
be used for a crane runway and a light aluminium profile section as a crane
girder. All suspension components and trolleys of the KBK Aluline range are
based on components used for the Demag KBK steel system.
For every application, the
matching chain hoists can also be found in the Demag product portfolio. The
product range is supplemented by a wide range of load handling attachments for
every application. In this way, Terex Material Handling provides complete
overhead transport solutions from a single source.
Experience makes the difference
Since the market introduction of
the “Junior System” half a century ago, the Demag KBK crane construction kit has
gone through many steps in its evolution. “Our KBK system has continuously
grown with the requirements of our customers,” points out Marc Rieser. The
experience gained in this process and our know-how are certainly unparalleled
and a unique feature which distinguishes us from the market.” Naturally, the
light crane system has often been copied over the decades, but in view of the
fact that the firm offers the largest system assortment and also scores with
global availability, we continue to be the world market leader in the light
crane system segment.
The automotive industry is still
one of the main buyers of light crane systems. This is because the KBK system
fully meets its demanding requirements for positioning accuracy and operating
speed. This makes it ideally suited as a load-bearing system for the complex
handling systems used in series production lines. With the KBK crane
construction kit, defined requirements are also precisely customised and
realised for the commercial vehicle sector and for the supplier sector. Here,
the KBK system, in combination with hoists, performs all lifting and lowering
tasks as well as the transport of the media supply.
Flexible from every point of view
As an indispensable production
aid, the Demag KBK is also in demand in many other sectors. Apart from the
automotive and supplier sectors, other important areas are mechanical
engineering, metalworking and metal processing firms, the logistics sector and
small workshops. Here too, thanks to the large number of modular series
components, the Demag KBK crane construction kit permits the development and
implementation of customised systems to meet individual installation and
equipment requirements.
The system components are also
designed to make it easy and cost-effective to extend and convert KBK systems
as production processes change. A further typical advantage is simple and fast
assembly thanks to standardised connection dimensions and bolted connections.
Installations are easy to commission and maintenance work can be carried out
quickly. The system also scores with its very user-friendly operation, as it
requires relatively few operators. The reason is the reduced weight of the
cranes and the special running characteristics of the trolleys.
Continuous work on innovation
In the course of its 50-year
presence in the world market, the KBK system has repeatedly set new standards,
most recently with the KBK II-H profile type. This inside-running profile
was developed to meet the growing market requirements flexibly and cost-effectively.
Crane installations and monorails with load capacities of up to 2,000 kg
can be realised. The KBK II-H steel profile section has a major advantage for
larger span dimensions or distances between suspensions. Designed with
extremely sturdy straight sections in different lengths, it allows suspension
spacing of more than 6 m, so additional steelwork or support structures can be
dispensed with completely in many cases.
In this way, the area available
can be optimally utilised and assembly times shortened. A further plus point of
the KBK II-H profile section, in addition to the large suspension spacing, is
its completely rigid rail joint. Every rail joint can be subjected to a full
load, regardless of the position of the track suspension. Overall, the KBK II-H
steel profile scores with its greater stability, combined with lower costs, and
offers the customer a maximum of planning freedom.
Looking forward
With the new KBK II-H
inside-running profile sections, the Demag light crane system now comprises
nine types: from the KBK 100 to the KBK III outside-running section
with a load capacity of up to 3,200 kg. As always, the profile sections
are manufactured at our production unit in Wetter/Ruhr. For prompt delivery to
the local markets, additional production lines have been installed in Brazil,
China, India and Australia.
Experience. The
future
With the focus on our successful,
fifty-year long presence on world markets, a KBK product campaign is about to
be launched. Marc Rieser: “With our statement “Experience. The future”, we are
underlining our many years of experience as a partner to industry and, at the
same time, signalling future development of more solutions designed to solve
our customers’ problems.” More detailed information can be found on the
campaign website www.kbk.demagcranes.de.
Fifty years KBK also means: fifty
years of continuous research and development, on the basis of which many new
features have been successively added to the system, in line with the rapid
development of industry. For Marc
Rieser, head of the Modular Cranes business line, this continued success is
proof that customers trust the product and are also persuaded by our many years
of experience in the development and realisation of light crane applications in
a production environment. After all, since the first launch of a modular light
crane system on the world market fifty years ago, we have reliably accompanied
our customers, have grown with them and, as a result, now possess an enormous
fund of know-how.
“We do not know what the car of
the future will look like, but we know that our KBK crane construction kit will
ensure optimum material flow in the production process to make it,” says Marc
Rieser.
About Terex
Material Handling
Terex Corporation is one of
the world’s leading suppliers of crane technology with Demag industrial cranes
and crane components. The core competence of the Terex Material Handling
business group lies in the development,
design and production of technically sophisticated cranes, hoists and
components and the provision of sales and services for these products. The
business group manufactures in 16 countries on five continents and is present in
more than 60 countries, reaching customers in more than 100 countries.
Terex Corporation is a diversified
global manufacturer of a broad range of equipment. A core activity of Terex
Corporation is the provision of reliable, customer-driven solutions for many
applications, including the construction, infrastructure, shipping, transport,
quarrying, mining, refining, energy, utility and manufacturing industries.
Terex reports in five business segments: Aerial Work Platforms; Construction;
Cranes; Material Handling & Port Solutions; and Materials Processing Terex
Financial Services offers a wide range of products and services to assist in
the acquisition of Terex equipment. Please visit our websites at www.demagcranes.de and www.terex.com for further information.
