BASF deploys automated VNA

Egemin delivered the system for a coatings plant near Paris. The system comprises a pallet warehouse with two automated VNA trucks, a miniload warehouse and a conveyor system. Intralogistics flows are fully automated and managed without human intervention. For BASF this means an important step forward in the field of safety.

Currently, the site is in the middle of its ramp-up phase and its maximum capacity should reach 2,500 boxes over 2 shifts, or 14 hours. Egemin managed to complete the installation without downtime as planned.

Paints are produced in 0.5 litre, 4 litre and 5 litre tins which are packed in boxes. The boxes are placed on monoreference pallets which are stored in the pallet warehouse. Together with the racking, Egemin delivered two VNA trucks fitted with Egemin’s E’gv automation pack. The pallet warehouse provides storage space for approximately 3500 pallets.

Some orders for full pallets are retrieved directly from the pallet warehouse by the automated VNAs. Other orders with multiple references are conveyed to a depalletiser and stored in the miniload warehouse which provides place for approximately 14,000 boxes. Another palletiser reorganises the mixed pallets after storage.

Among the various proposals considered by BASF, Egemin’s proposal stood out thanks to the capacity of its concept and its teams' capability and experience in the integration and synchronisation of intralogistics equipment. This requires a lot of know-how in interfacing and managing material handling systems, robotics and IT equipment.

Other constraints, such as being unable to make major changes to the building's floor or infrastructure forced Egemin to demonstrate its ingenuity. And, finally, the site's Seveso classification imposes very strict safety rules requiring the installation of specific equipment, such as integrated explosimeters on the AGVs to detect any leak of solvent vapour.