Floor conveying devices for cleanroom technology

The Sichelschmidt program for cleanroom-compatible electric floor conveyors includes, among others, forklifts, pallet trucks, and wide-stance stackers.

The Sichelschmidt program for cleanroom-compatible electric floor transporters includes, among others, forklifts, pallet trucks, and wide-track stackers.

The Sichelschmidt program for cleanroom-compatible electric floor conveyors includes, among others, forklifts, pallet trucks, and wide-span stackers.

The Sichelschmidt program for cleanroom-compatible electric floor conveyors includes, among others, forklifts, pallet trucks, and wide-span stackers.

The Sichelschmidt program for cleanroom-compatible electric floor conveyors includes, among others, forklifts, pallet trucks, and wide-span stackers.

Initially — as is often the case with Sichelschmidt — there was a customer inquiry: A pharmaceutical company wanted an explosion-proof electric pallet truck that could also perform transport tasks in cleanrooms.

Sichelschmidt offers a comprehensive series of floor conveyors for Ex zones. The developers had to first address the requirements of cleanrooms. They did so thoroughly and built an initial "cleanroom forklift," which proved its worth with the customer, leading to the development of additional models for other clients.

Now, Sichelschmidt has launched a complete range of electric forklifts for cleanroom applications, addressing three different classes of cleanliness.

The basic version is equipped, among other features, with a sealed working hydraulic system; the steel sheet components are coated with a special paint resistant to isopropanol. Bumpers prevent paint chipping during minor collisions. Fork carriers, forks, and other components that come into contact with the transported goods are made of stainless steel.

The selection of forklift wheels proved to be a challenge. They must generate friction to produce traction. However, this also causes wear, which must be strictly avoided. In collaboration with a wheel manufacturer, a solution was found that minimizes wear while providing the necessary traction.

Additionally, the entire design was optimized under the guiding principle of "Hygienic Design": The forklifts are easy to clean, and there are no dead spaces where contaminants can accumulate. The brushless three-phase drives inherently produce no wear because they are well sealed.

For higher requirements regarding cleanroom suitability, the devices are additionally manufactured with a sealed lifting column. And when very strict limits on particle emission are required, Sichelschmidt produces the forklifts entirely in stainless steel.

Four series of electric pallet trucks are manufactured with these design features: pallet trucks (d100 GMP), pallet stackers (d400 GMP), wide-spread stackers (d500 GMP), and forklifts (d600 GMP). The most interesting for users is the respective basic version with and without sealed lifting columns, as the cleanroom requirements can be met cost-effectively and reliably based on series-produced forklifts and steel sheet outer shells.

With these four model series for three cleanroom classes (up to ISO Class 7 according to EN ISO 14644), Sichelschmidt covers a broad range of applications in cleanroom technology. The GMP forklifts are available in non-Ex and Ex versions (Ex Zone 1 and 2). They will be a highlight at the Achema presentation in Hall 3.1, Stand B4.