New stingray shuttle from tgw takes off
February 1st 2011 New from high performance miniload
AS/R equipment specialist,
TGW, the Stingray shuttle is
intended for highly dynamic storage
and buffer applications.
"Shuttles are the perfect solution
for highly dynamic applications such
as supply systems for workplaces
with a performance of up to 1000
picks per hour, buffer warehouses or
sequenced delivery of goods,"
explains Rudolf Hansl, MD of TGW
Logistics Group.
Shuttle solutions can be
implemented in a vast array of
industries, from store replenishment
for retailers and/or production and
shipping buffers to order picking
systems for online retailers, making
them the ideal supplement to miniload
AS/R systems that are typically
used where high storage capacity is
required.
As the travel and lift axis are
functionally separated, the Stingray is
claimed to provide a higher
throughput performance than most
stacker cranes. The innovative system
allows for a more accurate scalability
of capacity and performance in topend
applications, extremely high
availability, as well as maximum
energy efficiency as moving masses
are reduced.
The system also offers high
performance and a scalable,
modular design. Depending on the
required performance, operators
may vary the number of shuttles
used, as well as change the
configuration of tote and shuttle
lifts. The maximum configuration
includes a Stingray shuttle on each
rack level as well as two tote lifts in
each warehouse aisle, thus achieving
maximum throughput. For lower
performance requirements,
individual Stingray shuttles can
change levels via a shuttle lift, which
Manufacturer of plastic containers,
pallets and dollies, George Utz, has
made a substantial investment in
new In-Mould Labelling technology
(IML). As a result the company can
now offer its customers a cost
effective and efficient way of tracking
goods through the supply chain –
technology that was previously only
available abroad.
The new technology allows full
colour logos or barcodes to be
injection moulded into the wall of a
container, allowing a permanent and
robust bond between the label and
crate for very high durability. The
image is statically charged to adhere
to the tooling, and is then moulded
into the body of the product. This
means the image cannot be peeled or
washed off, is not heat or UV
sensitive and is totally waterproof.
The labels are also resistant to
chemicals, acids and solvents.
reduces the number of shuttles
needed and consequently the
investment costs.
The Stingray works with any of
TGW's well-proven load handling
devices, allowing the Stingray to
handle totes, cartons and similar
load carriers in single or multi-deep
racks. The intelligent lightweight
construction considerably reduces
the weight of the shuttle, allowing
for optimum energy efficiency even
with high acceleration and speed
values, significantly reducing power
consumption.
The Stingray Shuttle System
completes TGW's range of
automated mini-load warehouses.
"With the Stingray, TGW can now
provide a complete solution offering
for our customers that allows them
to select the right solution based
their parameters, at an attractive
price-performance ratio and low
total cost of ownership," says Hansl.
"Conventional mini-load cranes still
have the better price-performance
ratio when storage and retrieval
applications require high storage
capacities and lower relative
throughput performance." More articles from TGW Limited: | 
