Flexible conveyor line design

The Stein link system consists of battery-powered shuttles, an easily expandable route system and a higher-level control system: this coordinates the routes and communicates with the vehicles via its own wireless mesh network. These can pick up loads of up to 80 kilograms via a workpiece carrier or in a transport box and move at a maximum speed of 50 meters per minute. The system works particularly safely: an integrated sensor detects the environment in front of the shuttle and ensures that it brakes gently in front of any obstacles. RFID tags along the route provide additional information, such as the ideal speed for the next section.

The battery management system provides the shuttles with an optimized power supply at all times. The batteries are located in the rear and can be replaced manually in just a few seconds. This can also be done fully automatically in a battery changing station, which the vehicles approach independently. An additional power supply on the component gives the user flexibility to integrate additional applications and processes. As the shuttles are supplied with power via their own batteries, no cabling is required along the route. This not only simplifies installation, maintenance and servicing - it also enables a track system that can be easily extended or converted and installed under the ceiling to save space.

"This innovative solution is the logical extension of our product portfolio," explains Jürgen Noailles, Managing Director of Stein Automation. "The shuttle system is the 'missing link', so to speak, and picks up exactly where our workpiece carrier transport systems end. With the new system, the user can automatically transport material to and from the production line and also has the option of integrating further processing steps into the transport route."