Telescopic Forks

Fork stroke is determined by the rack depth, pallet overhang, and required clearance. The stroke must be sufficient to place the pallet fully onto the rack beam beyond the racking uprights. The fork body length, in turn, is determined by the pallet size and orientation. For the standard EUR pallet (1200 mm × 800 mm), the dimension along the fork direction is either 800 mm or 1200 mm depending on how the pallet is positioned in the racking system. The stacker crane platform width also constrains the fork body dimensions. BOM's engineering team calculates all dimensions based on the customer's racking layout drawings.

Single-deep forks extend one pallet position beyond the racking upright, using a three-section telescoping design (fixed lower body, middle section, and upper section). Multi-deep forks (double-deep, triple-deep, or deeper) add further telescoping sections to reach two or more pallet positions per aisle side, reducing the number of aisles required and increasing storage density. Multi-deep configurations require longer total stroke and produce greater tip deflection at full extension, so the fork cross-section and slide rail system must be engineered accordingly.

Tip deflection occurs because the extended fork acts as a cantilever beam, with the load applied at the fork tip while the support is at the carriage interface. The primary factors are fork length, extension stroke, load weight, and the section modulus of the fork profiles. BOM controls deflection through rigid steel profile design, precision bearing and guide roller placement along the telescopic slide rails, and tight manufacturing tolerances on rail straightness. Typical deflection specifications for AS/RS forks range from 5 mm to 15 mm at rated load depending on fork length and class.

Yes. BOM manufactures telescopic forks for automated cold storage facilities operating at temperatures down to approximately −30 °C. Cold storage configurations use low-temperature rated lubricants for bearings and guide rollers, corrosion-resistant surface treatments to prevent condensation-related rust, and cold-rated electrical components for sensors and drive systems. All materials and lubricants are selected to maintain reliable mechanical performance and cycle life at the specified operating temperature.

Yes. BOM produces telescopic forks to customer-supplied drawings and specifications. Provide your fork design with dimensional requirements, material grades, and acceptance criteria, and BOM handles the complete manufacturing process from raw material procurement through machining, heat treatment, assembly, and final testing. Both prototype and series production are supported. Contact our team with your drawings for a manufacturing feasibility review and quotation.