Weeding with Robots: Managing Collections in an Automated Retrieval System
Fast automated storage/retrieval system with innovative ...
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When asked to name a fast car, most people come up with Ferrari or Lamborghini. Ask the same question of a particularly fast automa- ted storage/retrieval system (AS/RS) and „COLIBRI“ would be a good answer. This is the name Winkel GmbH has given its newly developed miniload AS/RS which is about to go into series production. The AS/RS is unique in terms of extremely high straight line velocities and accelerations which result in high handling rates. Allround expertise in storage and materials handling equipment During development Winkel was able to draw on a wide range of knowledge. This knowledge has been gathered during more than 30 years in the field of inhouse material flow and has made the company an expert in Fast automated storage/retrieval system with innovative fail-safe sensor technology Winkel GmbH uses RFID technology for safe auto-stop Innovative system solutions are best implemented using innovative components. True to this motto, Winkel GmbH has developed COLIBRI, a highly dynamic automated storage/retrieval system. The fail-safe drive technology is supplemented by a fail-safe auto-stop mechanism, which replaces the position switch with an innovatively operated safety sensor. linear guide and drive systems. To find solu- tions to the challenges they face, Winkel has developed an extensive construction kit sys- tem which it uses, for example, to design and construct lifting and handling systems, robot translational axes, multi-axle linear systems and automated storage/retrieval systems. These systems are usually customer-specific and destined for large system manufacturers and prime contractors. The company also supplies series-produced goods, the latest being the COLIBRI-RBG (Fig. 1). High dynamics and optimum use of space This automated storage/retrieval system distinguishes itself by its highly dynamic mo- vements. Its maximum horizontal velocity is 6 m/s, and the acceleration/deceleration rate is 5 m/s2 – and all of this at great heights. It has a lifting speed and acceleration of 3 m/s and 3 m/s2 respectively. These dynamics are achieved using a frequency-controlled cen- tral drive which engages into a gear rack on the upper and lower support rails via cardan shafts. This mechanism effectively elimina- tes swinging loads and hence the need for expensive electronic circuitry to synchronize multiple drive motors (Fig. 2). High level of safety in compact working areas Thanks to the COLIBRI-RBG‘s TÜV-appro- ved fail-safe braking system, there‘s no need any more either for the hydraulic buffers which normally act as back stops at the ends of aisles. The result is substantially better use of aisle space. The braking system en- Fig. 1: The COLIBRI automated storage/retrieval system particularly distinguishes itself by its highly dynamic movements which improve productivity levels Fig. 2: The AS/RS moves at speeds of up to 6 m/s with accelerations/decelerations of 5 m/s2. Following the successful market launch of its automatic mini- load AS/RSs, Winkel is now developing a version for quick pallet loading/unloading.
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When asked to name a fast car, most people come up with Ferrari or Lamborghini. Ask the same question of a particularly fast automa-ted storage/retrieval system (AS/RS) and „COLIBRI“ would be a good answer. This is the name Winkel GmbH has given its newly developed miniload AS/RS which is about to go into series production. The AS/RS is unique in terms of extremely high straight line velocities and accelerations which result in high handling rates.
Allround expertise in storage and materials handling equipmentDuring development Winkel was able to draw on a wide range of knowledge. This knowledge has been gathered during more than 30 years in the field of inhouse material flow and has made the company an expert in
Fast automated storage/retrieval system with innovative fail-safe sensor technology
Winkel GmbH uses RFID technology for safe auto-stop
Innovative system solutions are best implemented using innovative components. True to this motto, Winkel GmbH has developed COLIBRI, a highly dynamic automated storage/retrieval system. The fail-safe drive technology is supplemented by a fail-safe auto-stop mechanism, which replaces the position switch with an innovatively operated safety sensor.
linear guide and drive systems. To find solu-tions to the challenges they face, Winkel has developed an extensive construction kit sys-tem which it uses, for example, to design and construct lifting and handling systems, robot translational axes, multi-axle linear systems and automated storage/retrieval systems. These systems are usually customer-specific and destined for large system manufacturers and prime contractors. The company also supplies series-produced goods, the latest being the COLIBRI-RBG (Fig. 1).
High dynamics and optimum use of space This automated storage/retrieval system distinguishes itself by its highly dynamic mo-vements. Its maximum horizontal velocity is 6 m/s, and the acceleration/deceleration rate is 5 m/s2 – and all of this at great heights. It has a lifting speed and acceleration of 3 m/s and 3 m/s2 respectively. These dynamics are achieved using a frequency-controlled cen-tral drive which engages into a gear rack on the upper and lower support rails via cardan shafts. This mechanism effectively elimina-tes swinging loads and hence the need for expensive electronic circuitry to synchronize multiple drive motors (Fig. 2).
High level of safety in compact working areas Thanks to the COLIBRI-RBG‘s TÜV-appro-ved fail-safe braking system, there‘s no need any more either for the hydraulic buffers which normally act as back stops at the ends of aisles. The result is substantially better use of aisle space. The braking system en-
Fig. 1: The COLIBRI automated storage/retrieval system particularly distinguishes itself by its highly dynamic movements which improve productivity levels
Fig. 2: The AS/RS moves at speeds of up to 6 m/s with accelerations/decelerations of 5 m/s2. Following the successful market launch of its automatic mini-load AS/RSs, Winkel is now developing a version for quick pallet loading/unloading.
Images: K.A. Schmersal GmbH & Co. KG, Wuppertal
gages when the AS/RS moves beyond a defi-ned point along the route. In these situations, a safety position switch normally generates the signal which triggers the brakes of the individual controls. There are good reasons however for implementing a more up-to-date solution, which is why Winkel engineers used a unique operating principle to develop an electronic safety sensor to automatically stop the horizontal and vertical lift drives in emergency situations.
Innovative fail-safe sensor technologySchmersal‘s RSS 36 range of fail-safe switchgear with its compact rectangular design can be easily integrated into the surrounding construction (Fig. 3). The switchgear is friction-free and wear-free, and uses well-established RFID technology (with safety-relevant modifications by Schmersal) to detect the target. A bidirectional signal relayed between the sensor and target guarantees a high safety integrity level (performance level „e“ in accordance with EN 13849-1, or SIL 3 in accordance with IEC 61508).
High reliability and three coding variants Another benefit of RSS 36 switchgear is the self-test and diagnostic information which the CSS sensor technology delivers. This feature is very useful for checking the emergency automatic stop of automated storage/retrieval systems as the function is normally only acti-vated during routine verification tests. Hence it is important to be sure the function will
operate correctly in those „just in case“ situ-ations. Like other fail-safe switchgear based on CSS technology, diagnostic functions can also be implemented in RSS 36 switchgear. Users can be certain that irregularities such as short circuits, broken wires and extrane-ous voltages are reliably monitored, detected and displayed.
In addition, the three coding variants of an integrated fail-safe RFID sensor system pro-vide tamper resistance. In the basic version, the sensor accepts any suitable target. A second version only accepts targets which the sensor has learnt after being switched on for the first time. With the third deliverable version, the learn process can be repeated any number of times.
Product portfolio extension follows successful launchVery soon after the market launch, Win-kel was already planning and carrying out the first COLIBRI-RGB-based projects. The system has turned out to be such a practical success that plans are already in the making to extend the product portfolio. Thomas Riffert, engineering graduate and managing director at Winkel GmbH: „We‘re applying the same principle to pallet AS/RSs. These too will profit from accelerated handling speeds and better use of space. The only difference is the use of much bigger components throughout the system and the more powerful drives.“ It is precisely the high dynamics of such pallet AS/RSs which make highly reliable safety systems a necessity. Non-contact acting safety sensors based on the new operating principle play an important role here.
Fig. 3: The RSS 36 non-contact acting safety sensor for emergency auto-stop on the x and y axes.
K. A. Schmersal GmbH & Co. KGMöddinghofe 3042279 WuppertalTelefon: +49 202 [email protected]
