Graepel ladder assemblies are ready-to-install system solutions made from perforated, beaded, embossed, and formed sheet metal. They combine ladder rungs, treads, stringers, brackets, and handrail elements into a functionally reliable unit.
Graepel ladder assemblies are used wherever safe access is required under demanding environmental conditions. They are custom-designed and manufactured for many areas of vehicle construction and supplied as individual components or complete assemblies.
Advantages & Technical Specifications
- High slip resistance thanks to embossed, upward-facing ridges, perforations, and ribs
- Drainage effect due to defined downward perforations
- Low weight with high load-bearing capacity
- Corrosion protection via hot-dip galvanizing, KTL, or powder coating
- Various embossings and designs for customer-specific applications
- Robust, durable design
- The various grating designs are very well suited for machines with high levels of dirt accumulation due to their large open area.
Materials and Surface Technology
Ladder assemblies are manufactured from steel (e.g., DD11, S355MC), hot-dip galvanized steel, stainless steel (1.4301, 1.4404), or aluminum (EN AW-5754). The choice of material is based on mechanical stress, corrosion requirements, and weight specifications.
For surface protection, hot-dip galvanizing in accordance with DIN EN ISO 1461, electrogalvanizing, KTL coating, and powder coating in RAL colors are available. Custom colors are also possible. When combined, KTL and powder coating provide the highest corrosion resistance.
Technical Design and Engineering
The technical design of the ladder assemblies is customized based on structural requirements, installation space specifications, and regulatory standards. Key design parameters include material thickness, bend geometry, hole pattern, embossing, and the defined load-bearing capacity.
During the design process, Graepel takes into account permissible deflections, point loads, and individual loads in accordance with relevant standards. The combination of unpunched edge areas and targeted internal bending optimizes the structural cross-section. Upon request, FEM analyses, prototype construction, and validation tests are performed. The high degree of vertical integration enables precise coordination of forming, welding technology, and surface treatment.
