Traditional and new technologies for warehouse storage: Think Solutions!

Daring to go against trends

Companies that want to optimize their material flow are often interested in 'the latest technologies'. Unfortunately, they often overlook the traditional technologies, which have already proven their reliability, are free of growing pains, and have been optimized. "Because these optimizations are often invisible, many companies think that older technologies have stood still in time, but nothing could be further from the truth", explains Steve Vercammen, Sales Manager Logistic Solutions at SSI SCHAEFER.

A good example is found in our pallet warehouses, Vercammen says. "Traditionally, pallet cranes are used for this, which are equipped with telescopic forks for 1-2-3 pallets deep. Today, however, many machine manufacturers are promoting the pallet shuttle, which can drive into a deep channel. SSI SCHAEFER also offers various solutions for this, such as the SSI Orbiter,  and other pallet shuttles systems. Shuttles can easily move from one pallet storage level to another. Such shuttles look much more dynamic than a traditional crane, giving the impression that this is much faster and more efficient."

That sounds logical. Isn't it, then?

"The answer is: sometimes yes, often no," said Vercammen. "It really depends on the throughput to storage ratio as well as the number of pallets per SKU (Stock Keeping Units) or Batch. For applications with many different products relative to the number of pallet spaces available, a 1-deep or 2-deep crane system simply remains the best solution. In this case, even by a wide margin, SSI Exyz cranes are the best technology to deploy. SSI Exyz cranes operate 100% independently: no communication is required between the elevators and shuttles or the shuttles themselves. In addition, they can go up to more than 40 meters high and cover very long distances, without the risk of communication loss due to weak or disturbed WiFi signals."

In recent years, SSI SCHAEFER has worked hard on energy recovery when braking or lowering loads, explains Vercammen. "An additional major advantage of the cranes is, for example, equipping them with cameras. Especially in high bay warehouses, it offers a huge advantage in that you can make a proper estimate from the ground of what may have gone wrong high above. Maintenance and repairs are also very easy to perform from ground level, whereas with many shuttle systems you need a work platform at each level. On top of that, an SSI Exyz crane is so robust and simple in design that it rarely breaks down."

But surely there must be situations where shuttles have an advantage?

"Most definitely! That is also why SSI SCHAEFER has shuttles in its portfolio and partners with some of the most experienced shuttle manufacturers in the market. For example, in low-ceilinged buildings or buildings with hard-to-reach areas, you have the significant  advantage with shuttles that you can optimally arrange the areas to have as many pallet locations as possible." Another advantage is the scalability of shuttles, says Vercammen. "You can add shuttles according to the growth you experience. But therein lies the trap at the same time. What's the use of having a higher speed in your ASRS (Automated  Storage and Retrieval System) if the rest of your system is not suited to that? Or what good is it if your shuttles take a long time to move pallets out of the way first, to get to the pallet you want? In times when energy is so precious, one must consider this!"

So there is a market for traditional as well as new technologies?

Vercammen nods affirmatively. "Hence the choice of the title for this article. Don't focus on technologies from the start. First perform a data analysis and determine your needs, your sensitivity to faults, your ecological footprint, and your acceptable service costs. We at SSI SCHAEFER will then tell you in complete transparency which technology best suits this, so that as a user you achieve optimum ROI. In other words: Think solutions, not products."

Advantages of SSI cranes

• High system height (>40 m)

• Best for medium to low throughput to storage ration

• Best for medium to low number of pallets per SKU/batch

• Best for unpredictable environments

• Best and fastest solution for 1 or 2 pallet deep warehouses

• Robust, modular, and low maintenance

• Maximum regeneration of energy

• Mature technology

• Suitable for ambient, refrigerated, and frozen environments

Advantages of SSI shuttles

• High system height (>40 m)

• Best for high throughput to storage ratio

• Best for high number of pallets per SKU/batch

• Best for very predictable and stable environments

• Scalable - shuttles can be added as the needs arise

• Newer technology

• Storage density: Maximizing the number of pallet spaces, especially with irregular layout shape

• Suitable for ambient, refrigerated, and frozen environment

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