handling warehouse trucks l <<< continued from page 38
be made on rates and other building- related costs.
When it comes to developments in VNA handling equipment, as well as the ongoing emphasis on achieving higher reach heights (VNA trucks are now operating in applications where, as recently as five years ago, only stacker cranes would have been considered) and increasing travel speeds in the aisle between locations, there is a growing trend towards automation based on conventional VNA truck technology. “Many customers are acknowledging the potential benefits of automated VNA - particularly for two and three shift operations,” says Steve Richmond. “Productivity and efficiency is increased while labour costs are reduced significantly. Automated VNA machines work consistently 24/7 without degradation of work rate or lost time for battery charging or changing and work at a consistent, highly efficient rate throughout the entire shift.” He continues: “These days
automated VNA trucks can be almost
completely based on a standard truck which is fitted with an ‘automation package’. This modern approach centres around the adaptation of existing technologies rather than a desire to ‘reinvent the wheel’ – as was the case 20 years ago when the accepted wisdom was to take a truck, strip out all the major
components from it and introduce a whole new
control system. “Today we
can start with a standard VNA truck with wire guidance and transponder technology and, by
introducing additional sensors for profile checking, centring and various other safety-related functions, adding a bus bar and automation controls for the truck’s sensors and fitting an interface to the warehouse management system - the truck becomes fully automated.
“This approach makes automation scalable. Trucks can be supplied as manual machines, upgraded to semi- automated vehicles and ultimately to fully automated systems as the client’s requirements change.
“However, as with any automation project, it is important to ensure that the system is planned and designed by a company experienced in automation and integration as the legislation and working practices for automated VNA trucks differ significantly from manual operations.
“That said, existing VNA facilities can usually be automated with little or no modifications. But design, safety and system integration must be treated as integrated project – not just a truck supply contract and we are perfectly positioned to provide this entire end to end design and implementation process to our customers.” ●
www.jungheinrich.co.uk
38 ShD March 2012
www.PressOnShD.com
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