Still: How “David and Goliath” work together efficiently in the warehouse

During the LogiMAT trade fair in Stuttgart from 31 May to 2 June 2022, STILL will present its new ACH series to the general public for the first time in hall 10, stand B41/B51. Using a realistic application scenario, the Hamburg-based intralogistics specialist will demonstrate how the “Automated Mobile Robots” (AMR), which are as manoeuvrable as they are flexible, enter into symbiosis with automated vertical conveyors such as reach trucks or narrow-aisle trucks. The result: a new form of modern division of labour that will raise transport processes in warehouses or production to a completely new level in the future.

During the international exhibition, STILL will be simulating processes that take place in this way or very similarly every day in almost every warehouse and production hall: the retrieval of semi-finished products from the high-bay warehouse, transport for further processing, the subsequent return transport to the high-bay warehouse and the final storage of the finished products. In other words, processes that were usually very time-consuming and/or labour-intensive in the past – and which can be made significantly more cost-effective and efficient in the future thanks to the optimised workflows. “We achieve this process optimisation through a new form of division of labour in which each machine takes on exactly the tasks for which it has been optimised. The automated vertical conveyor stores or retrieves goods in the high-bay warehouse and our new automated mobile robots are responsible for horizontal transport. Their very compact dimensions make them much more manoeuvrable in the warehouse or on the production floor, enabling them to easily reach almost any position – right up to the production worker on the production line,” explains Torsten Wiecker, Vice President Brand Management STILL EMEA.

The new ACH series from STILL

STILL launched its new AMR trucks in January 2022 in three versions. The ACH 06 model, with a load capacity of 600 kg and dimensions of 956 x 730 x 240 mm, is particularly suitable for the automated transport of lighter goods. It can pick up or place goods up to an underride height of 270 mm. When loaded, the small runabout reaches a travel speed of 1.5 m/s. The medium-sized version, the ACH 10, measures 1,182 x 832 x 260 mm and can transport 1,000 kg of load. If you need to transport even heavier loads automatically, you can go for the ACH 15. The most powerful of the three models also measures 1,182 x 832 x 260 mm and is designed for loads up to 1,500 kg. The pick-up and delivery height of both the ACH 10 and the ACH 15 is 290 mm. When loaded, the two larger versions reach a speed of up to 1.2 m/s. The available loading area for the ACH 06 is 900 x 900 mm. The other two models achieve a surface area of 1,200 x 1,200 mm via a loading platform.

All three models are powered by a lithium-ion battery. This can be charged very conveniently via the charging station that is part of the system. The vehicles dock automatically to the station as needed.

Numerous applications

These features make the STILL AMR systems the ideal solution for the automated horizontal transport of goods. Thanks to state-of-the-art sensor technology, the innovative ACH series moves independently, proactively and safely in the warehouse – even in mixed operation with people and other industrial trucks.

The vehicles transport a wide variety of load carriers on their platforms and can be adapted to a wide variety of transfer points. In doing so, the AMR works – depending on the requirements – independently or via the connection to the different software systems of the operators.

In addition, AMR vehicles also score points when it comes to environmental protection. Due to their significantly lower dead weight compared to classic automated warehouse solutions, their energy consumption is noticeably reduced. In addition, their acquisition, operating and maintenance costs are very low. Therefore, they can be integrated into existing environments and systems very cost-effectively. Together with the good scalability and their high safety standard, the ACH series offers an attractive entry into automation for many industries, such as parts supply for production, the automotive industry, logistics and medical manufacturing or for the production of clothing and electronics or in e-commerce.

For more information, please visit: https://www.still.de/unternehmen/news-presse/news.html