Screen drive torque, dynamic load capacity, traction utilization, and RFQ readiness for an integrated AGV forklift steering wheel or general AGV forklift wheels.
Range: 300-6000 kg. Use the maximum loaded case, not tare weight.
125-400 mm screening range.
0-8% route grade. Use worst loaded ramp.
0.2-1.2 m/s2. Higher values raise torque and traction demand.
The calculator gives a first-pass AGV forklift steering wheel envelope. The report below explains where the numbers are useful, where public evidence stops, and which supplier checks prevent a weak RFQ.
The tool separates force inputs from supplier-only values such as gearbox ratio and motor thermal curves.
Action: Use the output as a screening envelope, then replace assumptions with CAD mass properties and route measurements.
A steering wheel can meet nominal Nm while still slipping if floor friction or dynamic wheel load is weak.
Action: Keep utilization below the review band before requesting standard catalog modules.
Public ISO pages show ISO 3691-4:2023 as published and also flag replacement draft work.
Action: Freeze the exact purchased standard edition in the safety file before design release.
Standard MDI Polyurethane degrades under continuous >1.5 m/s operation due to internal heat generation (hysteresis). High-duty AGVs require NDI-based materials (e.g., Vulkollan®).
Action: Specify exact duty cycles (e.g., 24/7 continuous) and maximum transit speed alongside mass in the RFQ to avoid wheel delamination.
Searchers asking for an AGV forklift steering wheel or AGV forklift wheels usually need a quick sizing screen and a buying boundary.
Action: Keep the calculator first, then use report sections to explain evidence, limits, and supplier next steps.
| Step | Formula / logic | Boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Drive force | m x a + m x g x (rolling resistance + grade) | Uses 0.025 rolling resistance for a conservative indoor PU-on-concrete screen; replace with tested floor data. |
| Per-module torque | force per drive module x wheel radius x 1.25 | The 1.25 factor covers early RFQ uncertainty only; it does not replace thermal or gearbox validation. |
| Dynamic load capacity | mass x peak drive-wheel load share x 1.15 / drive module count | Peak load share varies with mast, CG, battery placement, acceleration, and floor joints. |
| Traction utilization | required force / estimated available friction force | Uses friction coefficient 0.60 as a screening assumption; dirty, wet, painted, or frozen floors can invalidate it. |
| Thermal limit screening (Duty cycle) | Operating speed vs. load-bearing capacity over continuous time | Standard PU is restricted for >1.5 m/s continuous use. Requires thermal equilibrium calculations based on hysteresis heat buildup. |
| Source | Used for | Status and limit |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 3691-4:2023 | Safety requirements and verification context for driverless industrial trucks and their systems. | Public ISO catalogue reviewed 2026-07-16; it lists the 2023 edition and draft replacement activity. |
| ISO 12100:2010 | Risk-assessment and risk-reduction framework for machinery design boundaries and foreseeable misuse. | Public ISO catalogue reviewed 2026-07-16; the page says the 2010 edition remains current after review. |
| VDI 2510 Blatt 2 | AGVS safety planning context across conception, design, installation, and commissioning. | VDI page reviewed 2026-07-16; publication date shown as 2022-12. |
| VDI 2710 | Planning context for AGVS identification, procurement, operation, change planning, and decommissioning. | VDI page reviewed 2026-07-16; publication date shown as 2025-06. |
| Covestro Vulkollan® Technical Data | Material property baseline for dynamic load capacity, rebound resilience, and thermal stability in high-speed AGV wheels. | Public manufacturer data reviewed 2026-07-17; establishes boundary between standard PU and high-duty NDI polyurethane. |
| Option | Best fit | Tradeoff | RFQ evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single integrated steer-drive wheel | Pallet jack AGVs, compact docking, lower module count | Highest per-module load and torque; watch tire wear, bearing load, and steering backlash. | Mass, loaded CG, floor grade, wheel diameter, target speed, expected duty cycle. |
| Dual steer-drive wheels | Higher payloads, tighter traction margin, redundancy planning | Better force sharing, but synchronization and calibration become part of the control problem. | Controller architecture, steering angle feedback, cable routing, homing logic, and fault behavior. |
| Differential drive with casters | Lower lift heights, simpler indoor transfer robots | Can scrub floors and struggle with forklift-style docking geometry. | Aisle width, turn radius target, caster trail, floor sensitivity, and docking tolerance. |
| Omni or mecanum forklift base | Sideways positioning in constrained cells | Higher roller wear and lower heavy-load traction margin than a dedicated steering drive wheel. | Floor flatness, debris level, load distribution, roller material, and speed requirement. |
| NDI Polyurethane (e.g., Vulkollan®) Wheels | 24/7 continuous AGVs, speeds >1.5 m/s, heavy dynamic loads | Higher initial cost; sensitive to hydrolysis if continuously exposed to hot water or very high humidity environments. | Shift duration, ambient temperature/humidity, top speed, and cooling idle times. |
| Risk | Decision impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Misusing screening torque as final motor sizing | Undersized motor, overheating, slow acceleration, or failed grade tests | Ask suppliers for motor curves, reducer efficiency, duty-cycle thermal checks, and loaded route validation. |
| Ignoring dynamic load transfer | Wheel unloads during braking or mast movement, reducing traction reserve | Run loaded braking, acceleration, ramp, and floor-joint cases with CAD mass properties. |
| Selecting material from generic PU claims for continuous duty | Hysteresis heating melts the polyurethane core causing sudden catastrophic wheel delamination and AGV downtime. | Demand NDI-based PU (like Vulkollan) for 24/7 heavy-duty. Require thermal equilibrium data for the exact wheel diameter, load, and speed. |
| Treating standards pages as the full safety file | Incomplete compliance evidence and weak commissioning acceptance | Use public pages only as source pointers; validate against purchased standards and local jurisdiction. |
| Scenario | Likely result | Watch item |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 t pallet jack AGV on smooth warehouse concrete | Often RFQ-ready when grade is low and acceleration target is modest. | Confirm floor friction, wheel wear interval, braking stop distance, and scanner integration. |
| 3 t stacker with frequent ramp transitions | Usually needs engineering review even if nominal torque looks plausible. | Dynamic load transfer, mast deflection, parking brake margin, and thermal duty. |
| Counterbalance AGV with single steer-drive module | High uncertainty because load distribution and stability dominate the wheel choice. | Loaded CG envelope, rear axle reactions, emergency stop stability, and tire contact patch. |