FEATURE HANDLING & STORAGE
SOUND BASIS FOR investing in quite containers
Edward Hutchison, MD of Bito Storage systems considers the benefits to users of designing a plastic container to be as quiet as possible both in storage systems and on conveyors
With an evenly distributed load capacity of 50 kg the base has a maximum deflection of less than 5 mm, ensuring silent travelling on conveyors and giving excellent rigidity
A
plastic container traveling down a roller conveyor of a storage system
will make a certain amount of noise but that on its own may not be particularly disturbing. Warehouses, distribution centres and factories, particularly automated facilities, often have hundreds of containers travelling around them on conveyors. The cumulative noise generated by these containers will add to the cacophony of sound reverberating around the building from forklift truck
engines, masts and brakes, pallets banging on the floor, loading bay doors opening and shutting, compressors and other mechanical handling or factory equipment. While not deafening it can be uncomfortable to work in across a shift or a day and result in a negative impact on productivity, particularly for facilities with voice picking operations. Anything that can be done to create a low noise environment improves the workplace. So how to make a container quiet? In
SPACE-SAVING STORAGE SOLUTION DOUBLES CAPACITY
Flexi Warehouse Systems has introduced the FLEXI storMAX space-saving storage solution. Based around established double deep pallet
racking and Flexi VNA truck and warehouse management systems technology FLEXI storMAX allows 50% more pallet locations to be achieved when designing a storage system in a warehouse with the same dimensions as a system served by conventional reach trucks. FLEXI storMAX pilot schemes have shown that it requires significantly fewer truck assets to achieve higher pallet throughput speeds than storage solutions that feature for example automated pallet ‘shuttle’ technology. The user does not have to invest in the
28 OCTOBER 2015 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT
special pallet racks and automated components associated with these storage systems. FLEXI storMAX allows users to handle two pallets
from the same side of each very narrow aisle which effectively doubles the capacity of each run of racking. The pallets are put-away and retrieved by FLEXI storMAX with hydraulic forks that reach twice as deep within the racking as those on a conventional truck. The ‘counterbalanced’ design provides an exceptionally stable lifting base featuring a patented stability control system (SCS) which controls costly pallet weight derations when lifting at height.
www.flexi.co.uk
the case of Bito’s XLmotion moulded polypropylene container the answer is in the base. This container which is suitable for automated systems and is at home on any conveyor has a framed double base for extra solidity and features diagonal support ribbing. This combination helps to avoid dents or depressions in the base that can generate extra noise. With an evenly distributed load capacity of 50 kg the base has a maximum deflection of less than 5 mm. This combination ensures silent travelling on conveyors and gives excellent rigidity, making it Ideal for facilities operating low noise environments. To measure the difference this makes Bito tested the XLmotion against several competitor bins with ribs and or double bases on a powered roller conveyor run. While the competitor bins produced a range of sound meter readings between 66.8 db to 77.1 db the XL Motion gave a reading of just 60.9 db. That might not sound much but the benefit of reducing the overall decibel level is potentially phenomenal in a facility where there are hundreds of containers in use. With a base width of 389 mm instead of the 363 mm European standard it can rest on narrower ‘seats’ (57 mm instead of 70 mm) within an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS). This reduces the amount of steel required, allowing a more cost efficient design. Furthermore, the container can be adapted for use in an AS/RS from any supplier. External dimensions for the XLmotion are 599 mm (length) x 399 mm (container width) and it comes in heights of 220, 270 mm and 320 mm. Load capacity is 50 kg and stacking load is 250 kg. Inexpensive, slim yet robust dividers give options for subdivisions. An optional drop-on lid with snap lock does not add to the container height and will not come off when handling speed. If by selecting a versatile plastic container a company can save money and create a quiet environment that has to be worth making a noise about.
BITO T: 024 7638 8850
www.bito.co.uk
/ FACTORYEQUIPMENT
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