Borgholzhausen/Stuttgart, February 1, 2023 – This innovation paved the way for Westfalia to become an intralogistics specialist for multi-deep, sustainable, automated high-density storage: The Satellite® load handling device is turning 40. The company is celebrating the anniversary of its intralogistics classic at LogiMAT, the International Trade Show for Intralogistics Solutions and Process Management, from April 25th to 27th in Stuttgart at stand C20 (hall 1).
With the patented Satellite® load handling device, the intralogistics specialist revolutionized automated multi-deep storage in 1983. The system is designed for storage on pallets, other loading devices or palettless. It enables particularly deep storage channels, maximum storage density and space efficiency through maximum storage capacity on a minimum of floor space.
With its Satellite® storage system, Westfalia solves key challenges in the food, beverage, and packaging industries, among others. The technology, which is designed for temperatures down to -35 °C, reduces the space to be cooled in chilled and deep-freeze storage systems and thus the energy costs. Further advantages increase sustainability: Energy-efficient drives, fewer vehicles and storage aisles are required, process errors and returns are reduced. Well-tailored existing areas and properties can be used effectively for logistics bundling. This creates investment security and reduces truck kilometers.
Today, this key technology is tailored to many industries and their special requirements and is more in demand than ever under the current market conditions. Westfalia has therefore doubled its production and testing capacities at the new location. Thanks to their customer-specific adaptations, Satellites offer a rare variety of variants for multi-deep high-density storage – for unusual formats, particularly heavy loads or other requirements such as pair, triple and quadruple transport.
Gentle on materials and particularly reliable
In a Satellite® storage system, the storage and retrieval machines (SRM) are equipped with one or more flat rack entry vehicles, the Satellites. The SRM positions itself in front of the target racking channel. The Satellite® drives in from the AS/RS, moving in Satellite® rails, underrunning the goods and storing and retrieving them quickly and gently by raising or lowering them. Satellites handle lengthwise and crosswise storage of load units and make effective use of limited storage heights. Westfalia uses particularly flat-bodied rack entry vehicles for a low approach dimension and optimum space efficiency. Satellite® technology results in additional storage capacity, e.g., between hall trusses.
Chain Satellites have a fast up and down cycle. Lift Satellites are used for special pallets, inferior pallet qualities or for palletless storage. They are complete platforms and therefore ideal for transporting particularly sensitive load units such as stacks of format and finished corrugated cardboard goods. Long Satellites handle large, bulky formats as well as several load units simultaneously. For this purpose, storage and retrieval machines are also equipped with multiple load handling devices. The technology does not oil – a major advantage for particularly sensitive goods or high hygiene standards.
Special storage profiles in the storage channels with multiple support points provide additional support for the load carriers. Thanks to high accuracy and low tolerances during storage and retrieval, the Satellites protect loading aids and goods. This allows stressed loading aids to be used for a long time without being damaged, jammed and causing malfunctions.
Due to this high reliability, the system achieves maximum availability. This means that the technology also proves its worth for automated parking systems. Car park automation systems of this kind have been in successful use worldwide for years, including in Copenhagen, Dubai, and Philadelphia. They automatically park vehicles in parking garages based on pallets or without pallets. Compared to conventional parking garages, automated systems help save space with their compact layout in up to 40% less area and reduce energy consumption and emissions by up to 30%. Their unobtrusive structure can be aesthetically integrated into the overall architecture. Housing quality and space availability of urban agglomerations increase.
Automated high-bay warehouse at the cutting edge
Satellites are the heart of many turnkey storage and logistics systems that Westfalia has already realized for more than 500 customers worldwide from a single source – from the initial consultation to the conception to the implementation and sustainable system support. Westfalia develops, designs, and assembles many components directly at its headquarters. These include storage and retrieval machines, roller conveyors, transverse transfer cars or vertical conveyors. It delivers and installs its systems including controls and, depending on the customer requirements, including software and IT infrastructure.
The powerful Warehouse Execution System (WES) Savanna.NET® has also been programmed at the company headquarters since 2005. It combines all functionalities of a warehouse management system (WMS) and a material flow control (WCS), is easy to implement and grows modularly with the intralogistics. The WES controls and analyzes them completely.
Another important pillar of the success of Westfalia systems is the economical and gradual modernization and automation of in-house and third-party systems, from electromechanics to PLC to software. Comprehensive 24/7 services, IT/PLC services, training, maintenance, testing and parts management maintain the performance, reliability and security of the storage systems. Customers have the system status, repair costs and inspection routines on screen at all times. Visitors to LogiMAT from April 25th to 27th, 2023 can find out everything about intralogistics automation with Westfalia and the timeless classic Satellite® in hall 1, stand C20.
