Why choose ball transfer units? In the rapidly evolving world of air cargo, staying ahead of industry trends and technological advancements is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. To gain insights into the future of air cargo operations, we sat down with Chris Branch, Head of Research and Development at Alwayse. With a wealth of experience and a keen eye on innovation, Chris leads the charge in developing cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency, safety, and sustainability in air freight.
What are the key considerations when selecting ball transfer units for air cargo?
Most air cargo applications will be indoors in dry conditions with the units spaced apart on a 180mm square pitch spacing for ball transfers with a 30mm load ball to IATA specifications. Most air cargo applications will involve the manual handling of ULD containers. If the air cargo application is new the key considerations would be:
- What is the maximum load to be supported / moved?
- What is the cargo to be moved? Is it ULDs manufactured from aluminium or is it some other type of container? What material will be in contact with the ball transfers load ball? The material needs to be suitably hard enough and flat to resist indentation from the load ball under load. This is where a slave plate can be considered from a suitably hard material to help distribute the load evenly and provide a flat smooth surface for easier transfer of loads.
- What is the footprint size of the load to be moved? This will determine the number of ball transfers supporting the load.
- What is the environment like? Is the environment a typical indoors dry environment or will the ball transfers be exposed to outdoor wet conditions for example near doorways? Will the ball transfers be subjected to low temperatures as in the case for a cool room for example.
How do different materials (e.g., steel, nylon, stainless steel) impact the performance and durability of ball transfer units?
The different materials will impact performance and durability due to the properties of the materials being different.
For example, nylon is much softer than steel or stainless steel so the loads that can be supported will be much lower. However, if the item to be moved is delicate and / or lightweight and must be protected from becoming damaged, this is where we would advise a ball transfer assembled with a nylon load ball type 14.
Stainless steel materials offer improved corrosion resistance when compared to steel materials so if the ball transfers will be exposed to water or high humidity then we would advise a completely stainless steel type 15 ball transfer.
What factors should be considered when determining the load capacity for air cargo applications?
Normally for air cargo applications the loads can be up to 7 tonnes for a ULD container. For this type of application we would advise the use of our heavy duty ball transfers our part number 8053016 which is assembled with a 30mm load ball and spaced apart on 180mm pitch spacing.
For loads greater than 7 tonnes we would advise a larger heavy duty ball transfer 8054516 which has a load ball diameter of 44.5mm.
Other factors to consider include whether the ball transfers be subjected to shock loads, because this is where a more robust heavy duty ball transfer is required. For lighter duty air cargo applications with loads up to 2 tonnes maximum, then our flange fixing 3274216 or 3274316 could be considered.
How do environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, and debris affect performance?
If the correct ball transfers are specified at the start of the project then environmental factors such as moisture can be considered with the use of stainless steel type 15 units that will resist corrosion. With debris this depends upon the type of debris and how dirty the application is. We do offer solutions for debris with the addition of a scraper seal in our heavy duty 8083016 ball transfer. As long as the ball transfers are maintained correctly they will continue to function correctly for many years.
The ball transfers will not be affected by temperature for the majority of air cargo applications due to the majority of applications being carried out at room temperatures. However there are cool room air cargo applications whereby the temperature is below zero. With cool room applications the other factor to consider is whether the units will be subjected to condensation which would then require a stainless steel type 15 unit to offer corrosion resistance. Also another factor to consider is the location of the air cargo facility because if it is near a coastline in humid conditions then the salty air could be more corrosive with high humidity levels and this is where a stainless steel type 15 unit is better suited.
The Best In The Business
As the air cargo industry continues to evolve, Chris Branch’s insights underscore the importance of innovation and strategic foresight in navigating the challenges ahead. His expertise reminds us that staying at the forefront of technology and operational efficiency is key to thriving in this dynamic field. For any further information or technical questions, please get in touch.