DRS Wheel Block Shaft System for DRS‑M Series

The DRS Wheel Block Shaft System is the core integrated shaft assembly of the DRS modular block system. It primarily handles torque transmission, heavy-load support, and precise centering, and is suited for cranes, stacker cranes, heavy transfer equipment, and other industrial heavy-travel applications. The shaft system works seamlessly with the block system housing, bearings, and drive interface to form a stable, reliable, and low-maintenance travel core that provides critical support for heavy material handling equipment.

Core Structure and Key Components

This shaft assembly is supplied as a preassembled unit and is optimized for the DRS 250–500 series (rated 16–40 tons) and the DRS‑M 112–200 series (rated 2.75–10 tons). Core components include:

Main shaft: Made of high-strength alloy steel with a spline shaft design (compliant with DIN 5480) to ensure stable torque transmission and precise fitting with the wheel hub. For the DRS 250–500 series, shaft diameter tolerance reaches h8 (for example, the DRS 250 W 65 model shaft diameter is 95 mm), ensuring consistent installation positioning.

Bearing assembly: Large-tonnage models (DRS 250 and above) use tapered roller bearings capable of handling both radial and axial heavy loads; smaller-tonnage DRS‑M series use lifetime-lubricated deep-groove ball bearings, requiring no frequent relubrication. All bearings are equipped with a sealed lubrication system to reduce frictional losses and extend service life.

Shaft seals and housing interface: A multi-layer seal structure resists ingress of dust, moisture, and debris to protect internal components. The shaft fits perfectly with a split housing design that supports top-cover wheel replacement without the need to re-center the entire shaft assembly, making installation and maintenance convenient.

Drive/connect interfaces: One end fastens to the wheel hub; the other end adapts to a drive unit (such as a gear motor) or a universal joint. Three connection types are available (K, W, B), fully matching Demag’s modular drive system interfaces for rapid integration without modification.

Core Performance and Product Advantages

Heavy load and torque capacity: Shaft specifications are precisely matched to the DRS wheelbox rated loads (for example, DRS 250 fits 16 tons; DRS 500 supports up to 40 tons). The combination of a high-strength main shaft and tapered roller bearings easily copes with dynamic heavy loads from frequent start/stop cycles and long travel, delivering stable torque transmission.

Precision centering and running stability: The spline shaft design combined with laser centering processes ensures wheel-to-rail parallelism, greatly reducing wheel tread wear and derailment risk. Running/positioning precision can achieve ±1 mm, which is critical for accurate operations of stacker cranes and automated cranes.

Modularity and maintainability: The split housing design allows wheel and shaft replacement without disassembling the entire travel mechanism, reducing maintenance downtime by approximately 50% and significantly cutting operating costs. Preassembled design also reduces on-site installation complexity and errors.

Durability and environmental adaptability: Main shafts receive corrosion-resistant surface treatment and are paired with sealed bearings, making them suitable for both outdoor (ports, yards) and indoor (workshops, warehouses) environments. They withstand temperature variation, dust, and rain to ensure long-term stable operation.

The DRS wheel block system shaft system, with its robust structural design, precision manufacturing, and high modularity, serves as the core element that enables reliable, efficient travel performance for DRS wheelboxes and is a preferred core component for heavy material handling equipment worldwide.