Modula Vertical Lift

Operation

Modula Lifts are based on the vertical storage principle, but do not rotate, a central automated extractor travels up and down in between the front and rear frames, selects the appropriate tray and delivers it to the picking bay.

Modula Lift is a PLC controlled storage and retrieval system. The machines flexibility makes it ideal for storing goods with different dimensions, from small items to goods up to 695mm high, in one single unit, improving productivity, accuracy and access speeds leading to reductions operating costs.

The system is fitted with an automatic height optimisation system designed to store variable product heights, the entry area has a measuring gate of photoelectric cells that recognise, and accepts, the products entering the machine and selects the storage position relevant for the goods height.

Automatic optimisation:

• Total storage volume compaction
• Most frequently called trays repositioning
• Scheduled or manual operation

Two tray operation external bay.

Picking Bays

Trays are delivered to a single picking bay or as a two tray operation where the trays are cycled in turn to the lower and higher positions reducing waiting time over a single tray; the waiting tray remains in the rear of the bay until the operator has completed the picks. Ergonomically positioned at 700mm above the ground it provides a comfortable working zone for the operators promoting speed and accuracy.

External picking bay two tray operation.

Internal picking bay single tray operation.

Internal picking bay two tray operation.

Both Internal and external picking bay lifts can have an optional automatic door installed, for dust reducing measures and security.

Multiple exit versions with picking bays at ground and mezzanine levels or front and rear bays have doors fitted as standard and are a legal requirement.

Picking

Guiding and assisting staff to achieve picking and replenishment accuracy with speed greater than can be achieved in a manual racked warehouse is a key factor in automated systems, Modula has a number of possibilities to enhance the process.

Pick to Light

Visual indication identifying the correct compartment to pick an item from, pick information is displayed on the Co-Pilot screen and on the light bar.

The bar sits above the picking bay.

Compartment LED Light bar.

Compartment LED light and pick information text display bar.

Put to Light

For increased order picking rates the Put to Light system provides operators with a visual placing position and quantity display for each order carton or bin.

The method is used for single orders or batched orders (for a much increased pick rate compared to manual warehouses), the pictures below show a part of a 10 order position Put to Light work station where the top row of 4 totes deep are orders in the system, the lower row are completed orders that roll to the rear of work station for collection and distribution.

Part and location confirmation

Put quantity display under each tote bin

Whether picking or replenishing a simple confirmation of the action can be gained by using a wireless bar code scanner, the scan verifies if correct article and / or location have been correctly chosen. Communication to the Host System automatically updates order progress.

Storage Options

Small to medium sized parts can be stored in cartons, bins or loose items using adjustable dividers.

Dividers

Cartons

There are many sizes of bins available to suit the tray dimensions.

Bins

Tote Bin

All SKUs can be segregated into unique compartments in the trays, compartment sizes can be simply and quickly altered when stock volumes change.

The divider system allows operators to modify the compartment size working on a 20mm pitch in both directions.

We can also provide adjustable peg dividers to separate bar and profiles into individual locations.

Modula in use

The versatility of Modula answers a lot of "how do we" questions in picking, storage and handling environments.

The machines are manufactured in modules with the base height at 2,900mm, to attain a free standing, unsupported or unrestrained maximum standard height up to 14,100mm we add steel sections that provide an incremental pitch of 200mm.

Modifications to the height of the system can be implemented at any time after installation, if a move to other premises, with a different room height, we can alter the Modula to a lower or higher dimension within the height boundaries above.

Modula height sections are installed working inside the frames, this feature allows us to work in difficult and challenging spaces.

Modula vertical lifts are in use throughout the world, companies in many disciplines and industries such as:

• Aeronautical - Boeing, Continental Airlines, DASA, EADS, Embraer.
• Automotive - Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ford, Maserati, Fiat, Opel, Volkswagon,Ducati.
• Construction - SAPA Building System
• Electronics - Datalogic, Duracell, GE, Tyco.
• Engineering - ABB, Alstom Power.
• Food - ARLA Foods, Coca Cola Enterprises, Tetra Pack.
• Military - Army, Air Force and Navy.
• Packaging - SEDA Group.
• Pharmaceuticals - Abbott, GlaxoSmithKilne, Unisurge International.
• Plastics - Trelleborg Sealing Solutions.
• Textiles - Prada, Max Mara.

These are a brief selection of users.

Modula Dimensions

Height

2,900 to 14,100mm

Tray Sizes

There are 4 tray widths: 1,900mm, 2,500mm, 3100mm and 4,100mm

These are available in two depths; 650 and 857mm

Trays can be plain for use with cartons, totes or bins or equipped with slotted edges for using adjustable front to back and left to right steel dividers.

Loads

Each of the tray sizes have 3 load possibilities; 250, 500 and 750Kg.

The maximum load of the Modula is 60,000Kg.

Movement of the lift platform can be viewed through the translucent panels at the sides.

Safety

• Continuous machine operation monitoring.
• Anti-intrusion light curtain barrier stops the machine operation as an interruption occurs.
• Electronic photo cells that checks the height of goods loaded into the trays returning to the vertical lift system.
• Emergency stop.

Speed of Operation

As an example: A unit at 9.50M can deliver a maximum of 75 trays per hour.

Average tray delivery time is 28 seconds

Maximum tray delivery time is 35 seconds

Features Summary Table of Software Modules

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