AUTOMATION MARKET AND EXPECTATIONS
Despite the market for warehouse automation in Central and Southeastern Europe being divided into hardware and software solutions, some new machines combine these elements. Such is the new Vertical Lift Machine for pallets that STAMH Group has been implementing since the beginning of 2023;
On a global scale, the market for warehouse automation is expected to continue its growth. The main reasons, of course, are labor shortage, increased labor costs, the continuous rise of e-commerce businesses, and COVID-19, so businesses need to search for the best-performing solutions for them;
WHAT SYSTEMS SHOULD WE INTEGRATE?
The current situation is very dynamic. The lack of predictability, especially regarding the international situation, leads to the need for modular automation and solutions that can be integrated step by step.
Of course, when the company has a higher turnover and operates with a large number of pallets, comprehensive mid-term solutions can be designed and integrated, faster than You can probably imagine. However, for businesses, searching for vertical space optimization and an automatic solution for up to 100 pallets, Vertical Lift Machines for pallets are one of the most sought-after solutions. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of this new VLM modification.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS IN THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER WHEN A PALLET ARRIVES?
Often, a process of manual or robotic depalletization follows in order to rearrange and reorganize the stored goods from the pallet. But with Vertical Lift Machines for pallets, this step can be skipped, saving time and costs, since these machines have a special, integrated manual picking bay, enabling products picking, directly from the pallet;
Once a new pallet arrives at the loading bay of the VLM machine, the software measures its' height. The dynamic tray distribution option of the VLM selects the most suitable storage location for the tray, thus optimizing the space within the AS/RS machine. Therefore, if there are pallets on the ground in the warehouse, you can organize them in a separate Vertical Lift module with a height of up to 16 meters;
Storing and retrieving pallets from the machine is done without expensive forklift operations and machines, and operators can use electric or mechanical carts. They don't require special skills or additional licenses. Of course, STAMH recommends transporting the pallets within the warehouse using conveyor systems for pallets, autonomous AMR robots, or AGV systems.
ONLY 100 PALLETS? BUT WHAT DO I DO WHEN MY BUSINESS EXPANDS AND TURNOVER INCREASES?
With the help of STAMH's engineering teams, you can configure and integrate multiple modules next to each other, enlarging the storage and operational capacity of your new automated facility. A pallet can be transferred from one module to another automatically, using special shuttle platforms. This way, you can integrate just one loading entrance into the system of new Vertical Lift Machines for pallets;
Last, but not least, Vertical Lift Machines for pallets offer almost all the enhancements that both SLIM and LIFT modifications can boast of – additional accessories for security control, fire safety, barcode readers, label printers, and many others.
Depending on the available horizontal and vertical space in the distribution center, and Your specific needs, Vertical Lift Machines for pallets prove to be a surprisingly accessible and affordable solution. Learn more about them, here.
