Warehouse automation and drive technology

The mechanical engineering company Baumalog specializes in automated storage and transport systems that are used in many industries. The company designs, produces and installs solutions for the automation of processing sequences and for increasing the effectiveness of internal logistics processes. The solutions optimize the flow of materials in the production process as well as in order picking and shipping. Baumalog is also the authorized Polish dealer for automatic lift racks from the Italian company Modula. The Polish company has been relying on the wide range of Nord drive solutions to drive its automated storage and transport systems for many years.

Material provision with speed

The Polish company Retech is a provider of stainless steel solutions for the hotel and catering industry. After investing in a fiber optic laser cutting machine for profiles, the company was faced with the challenge of providing sufficient material for processing in order to ensure the continuity of the production process on the one hand and to take full advantage of the latest laser cutting technology on the other. Retech opted for an automatic material supply system with solutions from Baumalog. The automatic tube and profile storage system was developed according to the client's specific requirements. The 8 meter high warehouse consists of a support structure with two rows of racks and five columns each. The warehouse has a total of 68 movable shelves measuring 6,200 × 450 × 600 mm, each with a load capacity of 1,750 kg. The system was equipped with a mobile loading station, which enables profiles to be loaded outside the hall and transported into the hall. There are also two mobile unloading stations that work hand in hand with the overhead cranes and laser cutting machines for the profiles inside the hall. The corresponding items are transported fully automatically to one of the unloading stations after an operator has been instructed to do so at the control panel.

Increased production potential

The optimized storage and transport of components used in production is one of the most important challenges for manufacturers such as Retech. The higher the sales figures, the higher the demands on warehouse management and the more important the technical reliability. Everything must function smoothly and there must be no delays, otherwise there is a risk of production downtime. The automation of storage and transport processes enables a considerable increase in production potential while at the same time increasing safety in the workplace. The automated storage system from Baumalog improves logistical processes.

Components for conveyors and storage and retrieval machines

Several drive systems from Nord were used for the automation of the storage columns supplied by Baumalog and the loading and unloading stations. Nord supplies drive concepts consisting of gearboxes, motors and frequency converters that are designed to meet the reliability and robustness requirements of warehouse logistics. Nord's range also includes mechanical and electrical solutions that enable flexible configurations for warehouse automation with fast delivery times.

Nord supplied six geared motors with outputs ranging from 0.75 kW to 3 kW for the automated warehouse designed by Baumalog at Retech. The geared motors enable the operation of the stacker crane on rails between the high racks, as well as the movement of the vertical conveyor to remove material from or return it to the rack. It is also possible to move the racks horizontally and to move the vertical conveyor to the storage column.

The Nord geared motors used are safely operated by Nordac Pro frequency inverters. A special cooling concept ensures optimum heat dissipation for these inverters, which have been specially developed for installation in the control cabinet. The inverters not only ensure precise positioning between different points - independently of the higher-level control unit - but also the relative positioning of the endless loop axis. They can reliably control both synchronous and asynchronous motors and, with their wide range of additional options and large power range from 0.25 to 160 kW, leave nothing to be desired by the customer. The Nord drive solutions also control a loading and unloading station outside the building as well as unloading stations inside the building, from where the materials are transported to the laser cutter.

The automation of the storage and transport processes for profiles at Retech has contributed to a significant improvement in the production process and increased occupational safety. The use of Nord drive solutions ensures smooth operation of the entire system.