Technical Info
Driven by Safety
Having spent over 25 years focused solely on the transportation of glass, Supertrucks wealth of knowledge, experience and know-how cannot be matched. Anyone who works with glass is aware of the necessary care and attention required when handling and moving it. The risk of breakage and injury are high enough in an industrial environment, but the risks are multiplied when carrying glass on the open road.
Working closely with our customers, we have learned about the properties and characteristics of different types of glass. Understanding the tolerances, strengths and weaknesses of the material have been crucial in the design process, helping us to successfully develop glass carriers and load securing systems.
We are active members of the GGF and this close contact with the industry keeps us constantly up to date with the market’s transport needs and legislation. Our expertise has been sought (by the GGF) to work with them and help formulate the proposed CEN Regulations, proof if needed and recognition of our standing within the industry.
Design
To the layman, a Supertrucks glass carrying body would appear to be a simple box with sloping sides – it is much more than that! All vehicles flex, distort and twist to varying degrees under various circumstances, glass however flexes to a lesser degree. Put a large sheet of glass on the wrong body and the consequences could be catastrophic!
Major contributing factors in design include;
Combining required body length with chassis wheel base.
Optimising the angle of the sloping sides.
Construction and material choice to maximise payload without compromising strength.
Maximising load space without compromising strength.
Choice of load securing and restraint system relative to the proposed load’s type, positioning, weight and dimension.
Other influencing factors in design are customer choice of body type and associated options, for example; the choice of a concertina opening roof (for crane access) dictates a different side/rack construction than that of a fixed closed roof. Various regulations, codes of practice and health and safety all play their part in moulding the design to result in a “fit for purpose” vehicle.
Dedication to Quality
The Supertrucks glass carrying body has attained a level of build quality that ranks with the best. All the major materials and components are of a specified grade (steel, aluminium and rubber).
Where aluminium and steel meet, great care is taken to prevent electrolytic reaction - a corrosive situation accelerated by the vehicle’s connection to a battery.Exposed steelwork is plated. Lubricating points are provided on moving parts for easy maintenance. Wearing materials and components are all selected for their durability. It is our aim to provide maximum long term usage which equates to value for money.
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Development Development and Improvement
Through constant re-development and improvement, the rack, which in the beginning was an integral part of the glass carrying body, is now manufactured as a stand-alone rack that we can now attach to panel vans. This was achieved by the innovative design of several aluminium extrusions (some that accept rubber inserts) that when interconnected and fixed, form strong reliable framework.
In November 2005, Supertrucks invested in technology in the form of a CNC machine to improve rack production. This was a great leap forward and radically changed the production process entirely. All our expectations were surpassed and this prompted the decision to gain ISO 9001, which we did in December 2007.
As we found from building glass carrying bodies, converting panel vans to carry glass had its own problems and issues that we had to resolve. Although the rack in every instance is basically the same, there are many different manufacturers, each model requiring its own unique installation method. Choice of method and location of securing points are paramount if the rack and vehicle are to function and operate long term without deterioration and/or fatigue of either.
Put to the Test
We took the opportunity of an offer from Vauxhall to test our equipment to the extreme. They provided a Movano van on which we installed a glass carrying rack and a roof rack and fully loaded each respectively with 300kgs and 100kgs. In July 2007, it began an epic journey around the Millbrook Test Track, 24/7 for 5 weeks. This represented a lifetime’s use. The problems that resulted were minor, revealing product durability beyond our expectations!
The Way Forward
Market forces are now demanding that racks are secured to vehicles without drilling holes in the sides! This is directly related to the pursuit of higher residual values at the end of operator use. As a provider of such racks, it has certainly pushed the boundaries where compliance meets safety, but we have risen to the challenge in finding solutions without compromising safety.