Dematic has expanded the Multishuttle range
April 21, 2011
Dematic has significantly increased the functionality of its Multishuttle with the development of Multishuttle Flex (MS-Flex), which provides the capability to handle a variety of unit loads, such as totes, trays and cartons, of varying widths and lengths.
Equipped with a telescoping Load Handling Device (LHD), MS-Flex shuttles feature a split chassis design comprising a fixed side (front) and a moveable side (back), which provides the LHD with its flexible width adjustment.
The system is capable of handling products ranging in width from 200-625mm.
MS-Flex is suitable for both single and double deep applications, with loads put-away and retrieved from the storage system using a set of retractable fingers.
With variable length loads, the actual position of where the fingers engage the unit load is dynamic.
The shuttle’s on-board controller uses the length data to calculate where the edge of the load is relative to the fingers.
When required, the telescoping LHD moves at a fast speed to a point prior to finger engagement of the unit load, slows down to engage the item, then accelerates for the rest of the handling cycle, optimising throughput.
Shuttle technology has created a materials handling revolution around the world of logistics, with buffering and sequencing systems that feed ergonomic goods-to-person (GTP) picking stations becoming increasingly popular.