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THE PRODUCT
The Pallet Shuttle is a high-density storage system where a shuttle, powered by an electric motor, runs along rails inside a storage channel. By replacing forklifts, this radio shuttle solution considerably reduces operating times and enables SKUs to be grouped by channels rather than by entire lanes.
The shuttle follows orders sent by an operator through a WiFi connected tablet. It deposits its load in the first free location in the channel, while compacting the pallets as much as possible. Not having forklift traffic inside the lanes increases storage capacity in terms of depth and decreases the risk of accidents. Damage to the shuttle racks is then negligible, operator movements are optimized and warehouse operations modernized and made more flexible.
"An ideal solution for companies handling high volumes of single-SKU pallets, as well as intense loading and unloading activities."
Features
- Greater diversification since each channel houses a different item.
- High productivity through increased inflows and outflows of goods.
- Greater capacity, i.e. deep store pallets in up to 131 ft lanes.
- Highly cost-effective, thanks to reduced operating costs.
- Decreased incidents and maintenance costs.
- Multiple advanced functionalities easily controlled from a single tablet.
ADVANTAGES
Technology applied at top operating speeds
Save space
- Store more pallets deep, since channels can stand more than 131 ft high. The maximum verticality is determined by the handling equipment used.
- The system works with minimal clearances between levels, which permits high-density storage.
- Built-in sensors on the shuttles help position loads intelligently, eliminating empty spaces in the storage lanes. As a result, the effective capacity of the warehouse (which considers goods flowing in and out of the warehouse) reflects its physical capacity.
Save time
- Loading and unloading times are reduced, since the operator does not have to move around inside the lanes.
- The shuttle can travel at speeds of 295 ft/min when empty, or 148 ft/min when loaded.
- Load lifting cycle of just 2 seconds.
- With just a single command, the shuttle can progressively fill or empty a whole lane.
Increased productivity
- More goods flowing in and out of the warehouse.
- Unlike standard drive-in systems, items can be grouped by channels, rather than requiring a full lane. Greater product diversification is the result.
- Optimization of operator movements through the product-to-person system, i.e., the load that moves to the operator.
- While the Pallet Shuttle carries out a command, the operator collects another pallet, achieving continuous workflows.
- Depending on temperature and load conditions, the shuttle can operate up to 10 hours, working at full performance.
- The easy-access lithium batteries have fast connections, makeing them cable-free. So, battery units can be changed quickly without interrupting the operational cycle.
- Elimination of errors.
- The shuttle rack system is easy to use and maintain.
- A single tablet can control up to 18 shuttles.
- Inventory function means the shuttle counts how many pallets are stored in a channel.
Cost savings
These benefits, combined with its efficient energy use, lead to immediate cost savings, making the Pallet Shuttle one of the most cost-effective compact storage systems around.
Versatility
- The shuttle has built-in sensors that enable different types of pallets to be detected and handled.
- The 4048 and 4840 Pallet Shuttle models work with different pallet sizes and widths. For example, the 4048 model can handle 40 inch deep pallets (and around 48 inch front ways). The 4840 model can handle 48 inch deep GMA pallets.
- All shuttles can operate in LIFO or FIFO mode. The operator simply selects the mode they wish to work with from the tablet.
- The shuttle platform is designed to carry pallets that have a 1 inch max. buckling limit.
- Any type of forklift can be used to handle the shuttle.
- Handle up to 3,307 lbs per pallet.
- Install the Easy WMS Interlake Mecalux Warehouse Management System Easy WMS on any compatible operator tablet.
- As a scalable system, it is easy to increase the number of shuttles in operation to match increasing productivity needs.
Safety
- Thanks to the way that the structure is built, and given that forklifts do not need to drive into the shuttle racks, the risk of accidents is practically non-existent. The metallic bays are not damaged, thus maintenance is kept to a minimum.
- A user management feature prevents unauthorized personnel from operating the shuttles.
- Both the racking and the shuttles have built-in safety features specifically designed to ensure the Pallet Shuttle system operates correctly: rail end stops, pallet centralizers, position sensors, etc.
ABOUT
For quick, repeatitive in and out pallet transfers
By definition, a shuttle is a fast means of transport that travels between two fixed points at frequent intervals. Mecalux’s Pallet Shuttle fits this description precisely. However, its journey starts at the front of the racks up to the first available space in the storage channel, and back again (vice versa operation to unload).
Eventually, the evolution of compact storage systems raised important questions. Such as, why not use a motorized shuttle to handle pallets, instead of a forklift that drives into the storage channel? Why not use technology to increase loading and unloading speeds and optimize the effective capacity of a warehouse?
The smart choice was the Pallet Shuttle. Adapted rack structures mean an electric run shuttle can move inside storage lanes along a track, following the commands given by the operator using a WiFi control tablet.
The forklift simply leaves the load on the tracks, and the Pallet Shuttle picks it up and moves it autonomously. Pallets are kept as compact as possible, while each pallet is slotted in its location. Since forklifts do not need to drive into the lanes, handling times are lower, storage capacity is higher and deeper. Additionally, damage to the metal shelves is negligible, operator movements are streamlined and in-warehouse operations moderized.
In other words, the Pallet Shuttle system offers a compact storage solution that reduces operating costs and improves supply chain performance. Intelligent warehousing at its best.
IN ACTION
Compact semi-automated warehouse with Pallet Shuttle
In semi-automated installations, operators only run the forklifts that carry the pallets and also activate the motorized shuttle. Otherwise, the movement of the shuttles inside the racking is automated.
Step 1
A forklift places the Pallet Shuttle into the channel where work is to be done.
Step 2
Next, the forklift is used to position pallets one by one in the channel entrance, resting them on the load-bearing beams.
Step 3
Using the tablet, the operator sends a command to the shuttle to start the loading operation. Once the pallet's location has been identified, the Radio Shuttle lifts the pallet slightly upward. It then moves horizontally until it reaches the first available location, where it deposits the pallet. Different sensors accurately control the movement of the load being stored.
Step 4
The Pallet Shuttle returns to the front of the lane to repeat the operation with the next pallet, and so on, as many times as needed until the channel is full. Before the front position is filled, the shuttle is removed from the lane and the sequence repeated in the next channel where work is required.
FIFO / LIFO
Load management systems
The semi-automated system allows for two types of operation:
LIFO (Last In, First Out)
Where the last pallet loaded is the first to be unloaded. Loading and unloading is carried out from the same aisle. It is the most commonly used solution with the Pallet Shuttle system.
FIFO (First In, First Out)
Where the first pallet loaded is the first to be unloaded. Two access aisles are needed, i.e. one to load the goods and another to unload them. As a FIFO or a storage by batch system, it is recommended for completely loading or unloading a level.
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