Description

The Volume WAVE is a patented, automatic storage system for palletised goods. The ultra-compact solution with a high storage density is an alternative to stacker crane warehouses as well as wide and narrow aisle warehouses. The following features are significant:

Load height: up to 2.500 mm

• Weight per storage place: 1.200 kg
• Throughput with 2 shuttles and 4 lifts: approx. 300 double cycles per hour
• More storage places in less space
• Combines the compactness of channel storage with the flexibility of shuttle systems
• Variably adaptable transport performance
• Comparable to the performance of an automated warehouse with stacker cranes
• Single place access is realised by moving carriages on which the pallets are placed, in combination with integrated shuttle technology. Thanks to this principle each cell is also accessible to service personnel at all times
• All parameters are scalable so that the system can grow with the company
• Self learning material flow computer
• Drives, lifts and shuttles are equipped with an energy recovery system
• Intelligent anti-collision sensors continuously monitor the environment so that accidents can be ruled out
• Volume WAVE can also be integrated into existing buildings and adapted to special conditions of the building structure
• Existing systems can be easily extended in terms of length and width

Innovations

The Volume WAVE is an alternative for automated warehouses with stacker cranes, but it is not comparable to existing solutions of other intralogistics providers or manufacturers, which are all basically similar. It is based on a fundamentally new design principle and has the potential to set new standards worldwide.

• With the shuttle system for pallets, a storage density comparable to that of channel storage systems is achieved for the first time.
• In contrast to channel storage systems of known design, however, access to each storage location or each individual pallet is always possible.
• The shuttles move on rails and pick the pallets from above using a specially designed gripper.
• High-performance capacitors ensure that in the event of a power failure all ongoing work is completed and restarting is possible without any problems.
• Adaptation to existing, unconventionally designed building structures can be realised.
• The innovative performance was not provided by established players, but was implemented by a creative, technically experienced start-up company within only three years.

Market relevance

Customers with logistics tasks require high storage density, single place access and high throughput rates for storage systems for industrial and euro pallets. Each criterion on its own offers corresponding solutions, such as channel storage for high density, rack storage for single place access and stacker crane systems for high performance. Up to now, only single and double-deep storage and retrieval systems for pallets have met these requirements, but have reduced storage density due to the aisles.

Volume WAVE is the first system to meet all three criteria at the same time. It therefore represents a more compact alternative to warehouses with stacker cranes and is relevant for all companies that want to make maximum use of their space. Furthermore, it is a better choice for those who exclude a channel warehouse, as they also have to access individual pallets. Operators of wide-aisle or narrow-aisle warehouses want automated warehouses to reduce costs. Volume WAVE is also an alternative for them, with more capacity and more storage spaces.
The system can be used as a picking warehouse or replenishment warehouse. It can also be used as a sequence buffer for tour allocation. The low requirements in terms of area, height or floor space make it ideal for use in small halls in densely built structures (urban warehouse).

Customer benefits

• The dimensioning of the turnkey system solution can be adapted exactly to the actual conditions, even to unusual hall geometries.
• 40 percent less space required compared to conventional storage technologies for the same performance.
• Can be installed as indoor system in existing buildings or in silo construction.
• For low hall heights between 4 and 14 m, Volume Wave is much more suitable than an SRM storage system.
• The scalable system grows with increasing demands.
• Instead of building a large warehouse far away from the city, companies can build smaller ones in well-developed infrastructures and geographical proximity to the customer (e.g. micro-fulfilment), where land prices are higher, without compromising capacity (urban warehouse). This also reduces transport and CO2 emissions.
• At the same time, the innovation’s flexibility also allows the implementation of new business models (e.g. micro-fulfilment).
• In warehouses used by logistics service providers, the system takes up considerably less space, so that space that becomes free can be used elsewhere or rented out.
• A simple industrial floor is sufficient as a subfloor.
• Even customers who have a small amount of hall space can use the system as a sequencer and benefit, for example, from nightly presorting and tour allocation.
• Quick installation and commissioning thanks to the modular design and pre-assembled components.