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ASRS Vertical Storage Units (VSUs)/Carousels

Articles from Hänel 

The Importance of Reclaiming Floor Space Using Automated Vertical Storage
Improving Inventory Accuracy with Automated Vertical Storage

Controlled Environment & Air Conditioned

ClimateStore-HanelAlong with speed, accuracy, space savings, security, and controlled access, vertical carousels in particular offer advantages for process items sensitive to dust, temperature, chemical reactions, and other environmental factors.

These systems are enclosed, the air inside can be heated, air conditioned, and kept relatively dust free. As a climate chamber with an adjustable storage temperature controlled by tight tolerances, in this case, 20° C, they enable an absolutely precise fine processing of the motor blocks in the subsequent production process

 

Applications for Disabled

Hanel Disability ShotADA compliance is a necessity, enabling productive workers to perform regardless of physical limitations.

View Hänel Accessible Design Video

Hänel vertical carousels bring items down. They do not encroach on the space below. The shelves simply rotate around and around, up and down, which is why it’s known as a vertical carousel. Regular stationary shelves can be installed below in order to hold heavy or larger items beneath the carousel unit.

Hänel vertical carousels can be installed so that a wheelchair can be operated underneath the unit allowing a person of very limited reach to get very close to the unit for removing items. This product provides the same means of use for all users. Therefore, Hänel offers a preferential access point. Accessibility to product within is the key to avoiding the stigmatizing and segregation of potential users.

A vertical conveyor from Hänel is used the same way by all people and is useful to all people. Any person can access the shelves at their own preferred access point. Yet because of the automation and the revolving shelves, all shelves can be brought to the each individual’s preferred access point giving the product excellent equitability of use.

Automation

Hanel Central Supply2Companies that have replaced conventional racks and shelving with automated systems report that they have saved as much as 75% of the floor space formerly devoted to storage. Installing an automated system may even eliminate the need to expand the facility or move to a larger building.

These systems generally require only a modest investment. Automated storage systems typically pay for themselves in about two years.

Materials handling has never been easier, practically removing all scope for error. The picking process can be entirely automated, with the unit bringing the correct container to the user and highlighting the exact location of the part. The result is a reduction in processing time and error. The units can also manage and interface with inventory control systems, highlighting optimum stock levels and shortages.

Carousels

Rotomat-Inside ShotThe days when walls were lined with files and racks of index cards are over, as are the legwork and ladder-climbing that were involved in searching for and archiving files. Advantages of automated vertical carousels include:

  • Space savings: Automated vertical carousels offer over 60% more storage capacity, using the available room height. Expensive office space is used more efficiently, saving money as a result. Units can stretch above floors to the second story and be used on that very second floor space as an access point.
  • Time savings: Carousels bring the required files or products to the retrieval point in seconds at the touch of a button.
  • Enhanced safety: Safety is of paramount importance. No climbing of ladders; no danger of accidents. “Goods to User” is the motto, replacing “User to Goods.” Personnel costs and cycle times can be reduced. The required parts are brought to the ergonomic retrieval height at the touch of a button.
  • High-performance: Control units and computer links to ensure that carousels can be put to use flexibly and on an individual basis.
  • Controlled environment and security: Carousels protect all parts from dust, light, and unauthorized access.

Computer Controlled

HanelSoft-HanelComputer controls are integrated into the carousel system allowing you to perform a wide range of activities from simple transactions to full inventory control.Automated storage devices are computer-controlled machines designed to store and retrieve items from defined locations. They use moving shelves to deliver products directly to workers.For storage of small parts that are picked by the piece, installing an automated system (typically an automated carousel or vertical lift module) means order pickers no longer need to search around for items.

Controlled Access

Controlled Access-Hanel2Automated systems enhance security, a big plus for companies that handle valuable, dangerous, or controlled items like gemstones, precision metals, precious materials, machined parts, pharmaceuticals, instruments, fiber optics, and firearms. That’s particularly true of vertical systems, which essentially act as high-rise steel safes.

Additional high security features can be built in. Automated storage systems can be programmed to limit access to trusted workers and even to create an audit trail of who has handled each item and when. The Hänel Rotomat unit has programmable authorization levels, locking out unauthorized users and even allowing selection of which containers individuals can have access to. Access can be managed by either a PIN or security card and logged for reference. The Hänel Rotomat is the solution for dangerous, valuable or controlled goods, including armory, expensive tooling, pharmaceuticals, and medical instruments.

Controllers & Software

Hänel carousels, in conjunction with top-quality control and software engineering, boost efficiency, save time, and save storage space, which consequently improves productivity and cost structures.

Computerized variable shelf heights and shelf location optimization allow for the storage of dissimilar sized parts and ensure frequently used items are always close at hand. Hänel microprocessor control systems, with integrated inventory management, provide an overview of all important storage data.

Parts inventory, minimum inventory levels, and storage location can also be programmed by the software. With a user-friendly interface, the pick time is seconds for a product in the vertical carousel address. Kraftwerks can integrate Hänel automated storage systems quickly into a logistics concept thanks to the system’s high networking capability.

Electrostatic Sensitivity

In an electronic assembly, there is a possibility that an electronic part will be subjected to a static charge or other electronic complications. Therefore, it is important to consider the containers you place inside the vertical carousel. It is thus desirable to provide containers such as polymer bins or buckets in a system in such a manner that the parts are protected from electrostatic discharge.

Although you may store most goods anyway you like inside our automated storage, Kraftwerks will recommend the best-fitting bins or containers for your product and how they should be placed. You can also injection mold the kitting parts carousel of static safe material to allow safe handling of electrostatic sensitive components. The injection molding eliminates the need for other structural support, while providing more capacity.

External Storage Area

External-Hanel2The Hänel Rotomat Storage Carousel is a computer controlled automated rack of shelves, called a paternoster, which stores and retrieves items at the command of the user. Units can stretch over several stories thus fully utilizing the ceiling heights of buildings. The space used vertically is saved horizontally. With a meager footprint on which to operate, floor space savings of up to 80% can be made.

Goods are brought to an ergonomically positioned access point in seconds at the touch of a button. Organized paternoster office automation saves access time and space. The storage named by Hänel as its Rotomat System has been proven as a system for storing a wide range of industrial items ranging from automotive parts to pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment. It is also used for active office files that need constant access.

File Storage

File Storage2-HanelErgonomic research shows that greater than 50% of the labor time consumed by filing is wasted on simply getting to the location of the file to be retrieved or returned. There is lots of walking, bending, reaching, opening/closing drawers, and climbing stepladders.

Further, it is generally the case that 80% of the activity occurs with 20% of the files. By taking that 20% of your files and moving them into an automated vertical carousel, filing labor costs are cut in half.

Vertical carousels also have a number of secondary benefits, including:

  • Provide high security with automated locking doors and password access
  • Allows for filing and retrieval by physically disabled individuals
  • Reduces floor space by using vertical height
  • Aids in fire protection
  • Reduces misfiling
  • Accommodates a wide range of materials in addition to files

Glass Storage

Glass StorageFully automated sliding glass doors allow operators to view shelf contents without letting refrigerated air escape.

 

Heavy-Duty

Lean-Lift2-HanelWith the correct Hänel product, handling of bulky and heavy parts is automated. The unit performs all the lifting and carrying. The parts are bought to the user at optimum heights, in some cases down to ground level for easy and safe pallet handling.

The Hänel Lean-Lift system has a load-carrying capacity per container up to:

  • 250 kg / 552 lbs
  • 500 kg / 1,104 lbs
  • 1,000 kg / 2,208 lbs
  • 20,000 kg / 44,150 lbs
  • 30,000 kg / 66,225 lbs
  • 40,000 kg / 88,300 lbs
  • 60,000 kg / 132,450 lbs

Hänel invented the integrated-pitch wall and has over 10 years of experience in this technology. The integrated-pitch wall from Hänel, forms a rigid and highly stable structure, thanks to projection welding. Quality and precision are already integrated at the factory.

Advantages include no weak sandwich structure, no shifting, no noise from movement in the housing, and no material fatigue.

High Density Storage

Lean-Lift-HanelVertical lift modules (VLM) are tall structures that take advantage of ceiling space, minimizing the footprint. But unlike vertical carousels, they don’t spin. Instead, small elevators carry products to available storage slots, then slide the products into the space where they’ll be stored until needed. When it comes time to retrieve the items, an elevator brings the products down to an opening at the bottom where they’re accessible to workers.

VLMs are perfect for extremely dense storage. The systems have sensors that gauge the size of the load to be stored so that it can assign storage locations for maximum density. Loads are often stored no more than an inch, or, even a half-inch apart.

Locking Compartment – Vendor Machine

The Hänel Rotomat unit has programmable authorization levels, locking out unauthorized users and even allowing selection of which containers individuals can have access to. Access can be managed by either a PIN or security card and logged for reference. The Hänel Rotomat is the solution for dangerous or valuable goods, including armory, expensive tooling, pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, precious gems, fiber optics, computer chips, and precious materials.

 

Multiple Access Points

Hanel Multi-StoriedVertical carousels can be set up to operate with multiple workstations and therefore multiple controllers so that workstations can be on upper and lower floors or in rooms on opposite sides for the machine. There is an access station located at the top of the machine, for access to the stored products from automated mechanisms above rather than the side of the machine. Products can then be easily accessed via common overhead transport vehicles, such as those used in the semiconductor industry, and also can be stored one behind the other, whiile still providing easy access.

 

 

Parts Storage

Small Parts Storage-Hanel2The Hänel Rotomat system has revolutionized warehousing, materials handling, and retrieval times:

  • Storage capacity is increased by up to 60%.
  • Spare parts are protected in stored containers
  • Containers, shaped inserts, small-parts trays, cutting tool holders, and unlimited accessories are available.
  • A long service life and high load-carrying capacity
  • At the touch of a button, the required container is brought to the retrieval zone automatically, which is ideal for parts storage.

Secured Storage (Hänel) Lockomat

Lockomat-HanelThe Hänel Lockomat is an automated vertical carousel with compartment doors that are closed manually or automatically and protect the stored articles from unauthorized access. Users confirm their authorization with an identity card or by password and the interface set up for the user in question is displayed on the screen.

The user-friendly touch screen makes the straightforward Hänel TDM (Tool Data Management) easy. Articles divided into groups are shown on the screen with all the necessary information in the form of a table. When the information button is pressed, a detailed article data sheet is displayed. The required article is requested and acknowledged by pressing the Hänel logo. The digital LED display indicates the compartment door behind which the article can be found and retrieved, and only this compartment door will open. When goods are put into storage using a bar-code scanner, the compartment LED indicates the corresponding storage location.

The Hänel Lockomat with TDM software is the ideal storage system for secure materials handling when dealing with a wide range of storage articles such as hardware, tools, electronic components, and pharmaceuticals.

Storage of Bulky Goods

Bulky Heavy Duty2-HanelHänel can store:

  • Pallets
  • Engine Blocks
  • Tools
  • Paint Buckets
  • Crates
  • Cable Drums

The containers are designed to suit the size and weight of the articles they are to hold.

Vidir Bedlifts:

Vidir’s Bedlift is a cost effective hospital bed storage system designed to store hospital beds off of the floor and stack them securely in a vertical arrangement, which not only saves valuable floor space, but removes potential fire hazards from hospital corridor. This hospital bed storage rack will increase the hospital’s maintenance departments’ capacity, organization, and product flow, reducing down time — which increases the number of beds available for patient use at any given moment. Additionally, by removing unused ‘hallway beds’ from the corridors, hospitals will meet JCAHO standards for the storage of hospital beds and not risk further fines or worst case, the loss of accreditation.

View VIDIR’s Bedlift Video

Tool Storage

Tool Storage-HanelThe Hänel Rotomat system has revolutionized warehousing, materials handling, and retrieval times:

  • Storage capacity is increased by up to 60%
  • Spare tools are protected in stored containers
  • Containers, shaped inserts, small-parts trays, cutting tool holders, and unlimited accessories are available
  • A long service life and high load-carrying capacity
  • At the touch of a button, the required container is brought to the retrieval zone automatically, which is ideal for tool storage

Vertical Lift / Storage Unit (VSU)

LeanLift-HanelVertical lift modules (VLM) are tall structures that take advantage of ceiling space, minimizing the footprint. Unlike vertical carousels, they don’t spin. Instead, small elevators carry products to available storage slots, then slide the products into the space where they’ll be stored until needed. When it comes time to retrieve the items, an elevator brings the products down to an opening at the bottom where they are easily accessible to workers.

The VLM’s primary advantage is that it offers extremely dense storage. Most systems have sensors that gauge the size of the load to be stored so that the system can assign storage locations for maximum density. Loads are often stored no more than an inch, or even a half-inch, apart.