Ziglift Material Handling is proud to partner up with Interlake Mecalux to showcase the latest in automated storage system technology, the all new 3D Automated Pallet Shuttle. The ultimate automation solution for maximizing high-density storage, productivity, and flexibility in an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) for pallets.
The 3D Automated Pallet Shuttle is a high-density storage solution featuring an innovative multidirectional electric shuttle. This autonomous shuttle car stores and retrieves pallets from the racks with unparalleled efficiency and precision. Notably, these shuttles navigate the aisles and channels within the racking structure independently, eliminating the need for additional material handling vehicles (e.g., stacker cranes or transfer cars). To move between storage levels, the shuttles employ a series of lifts.
Interlake Mecalux's 3D Automated Pallet Shuttle is a cutting-edge AS/RS at the forefront of warehouse automation. In addition to increasing warehouse productivity and optimizing space utilization to boost storage capacity, it provides extraordinary versatility. This flexibility allows businesses to meet the requirements of dynamic scenarios, such as demand peaks and high-priority tasks. Moreover, its completely modular design enables rapid scalability to tailor the AS/RS’s capacity and throughput to business growth.
To view a quick demo on the easy operation of the Pallet Shuttle system, click the video below! Ziglift is excited to share this new automated solution with our customers and is the exclusive dealer in California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico!
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Advantages
High productivity- The rapid navigation speed and operational versatility of the multidirectional 3D shuttles significantly enhance warehouse performance.
- The shuttle cars move between levels and aisles. Additionally, several shuttles can operate in a single aisle simultaneously. This allows managers to adjust the system’s throughput to changing scenarios, including priority tasks and demand peaks.
- Compact storage optimizes the use of space to increase warehouse capacity. Moreover, each channel can house more than one SKU and pallet size.
Autonomous, smart operation
- the shuttles move through the aisles and channels without assistance from other material handling vehicles. Interlake Mecalux’s fleet management software controls shuttle traffic in the rack structure. This ensures continuous and fluid vehicle circulation, prevents jams, and avoids collisions between shuttle cars.
- A series of sensors ensure safety and effectiveness in detecting, handling, and positioning pallets. Moreover, the design of the wheels and rails enables the shuttle vehicles to run smoothly and change direction with ease and stability.
- The AS/RS’s modular design facilitates future expansion tailored to business growth. To increase productivity, new shuttles can be added. Likewise, more aisles and levels can be created to expand capacity.
- The shuttles’ ability to operate at low temperatures makes them suitable for cold-storage and freezer warehouses. Implementing high-density solutions in such facilities provides considerable energy cost savings.
- We design, manufacture, install, and commission all AS/RS components. These include the shuttles, lifts, racking, conveyors, fleet management software, and warehouse management system (WMS).
HOW DOES THE 3D AUTOMATED PALLET SHUTTLE WORK?
The 3D shuttle cars’ multidirectional movement through the racking block greatly enhances the system’s flexibility. This streamlined operation significantly facilitates pallet loading and unloading, making this AS/RS adaptable to various demands.
A 3D Shuttle picks the pallet up for putaway
The WMS software assigns the pallet the optimal position. Meanwhile, the fleet management software determines the most appropriate route to reach this location. It sends the information via a Wi-Fi signal to one of the shuttles, which picks up the pallet and begins its journey through the racks.
The shuttle transports the pallet to an upper level
If the assigned location is on a higher level, the shuttle uses an entry lift to move to that height. Access to the upper levels can vary depending on the configuration chosen. For example, the shuttle can also deposit the pallet on a lift for another shuttle to pick it up at the destination level.
The shuttle moves within the racks
Once at the assigned level, the shuttle car navigates the aisles until it arrives at the entrance to the indicated channel. The fleet management software coordinates shuttle traffic, while sensors regulate the speed of shuttles approaching each other. Thus, shuttle vehicles moving simultaneously in the same aisle do so smoothly and safely. Shuttles can change aisles by means of transit channels (if loaded) or storage channels (if unloaded).
The shuttle places the pallet in the assigned location
When the 3D shuttle reaches the storage channel, it raises the pallet slightly and enters the channel, depositing the load in the deepest available location. The shuttle car stores the goods as compactly as possible, irrespective of the size of the pallets in the channel. When using the LIFO (last in, first out) method, the software can establish an internal division within the channel to house different SKUs on either side (when both ends face an aisle).
The shuttle exits the channel and reintegrates into circulation
After depositing the pallet, the shuttle car can leave the channel from the side it entered. Alternatively, it can pass underneath the stored pallets and exit at the opposite end (if the channel opens into another aisle). The software will indicate the precise moment for the shuttle to rejoin circulation and complete its next task.
Shuttle battery recharging process
The shuttles continuously report the status of their batteries. When a shuttle’s charge is detected to be below a certain level, the fleet management software directs it to one of the charging stations strategically located within the racking block. Once recharged, the shuttle automatically returns to work, without the need for human intervention in the process.
