New stingray shuttle from tgw takes off

New from high performance miniload AS/R equipment specialist, TGW, the Stingray shuttle is intended for highly dynamic storage and buffer applications.

"Shuttles are the perfect solution for highly dynamic applications such as supply systems for workplaces with a performance of up to 1000 picks per hour, buffer warehouses or sequenced delivery of goods," explains Rudolf Hansl, MD of TGW Logistics Group.

Shuttle solutions can be implemented in a vast array of industries, from store replenishment for retailers and/or production and shipping buffers to order picking systems for online retailers, making them the ideal supplement to miniload AS/R systems that are typically used where high storage capacity is required.

As the travel and lift axis are functionally separated, the Stingray is claimed to provide a higher throughput performance than most stacker cranes. The innovative system allows for a more accurate scalability of capacity and performance in topend applications, extremely high availability, as well as maximum energy efficiency as moving masses are reduced.

The system also offers high performance and a scalable, modular design. Depending on the required performance, operators may vary the number of shuttles used, as well as change the configuration of tote and shuttle lifts. The maximum configuration includes a Stingray shuttle on each rack level as well as two tote lifts in each warehouse aisle, thus achieving maximum throughput. For lower performance requirements, individual Stingray shuttles can change levels via a shuttle lift, which Manufacturer of plastic containers, pallets and dollies, George Utz, has made a substantial investment in new In-Mould Labelling technology (IML). As a result the company can now offer its customers a cost effective and efficient way of tracking goods through the supply chain - technology that was previously only available abroad.

The new technology allows full colour logos or barcodes to be injection moulded into the wall of a container, allowing a permanent and robust bond between the label and crate for very high durability. The image is statically charged to adhere to the tooling, and is then moulded into the body of the product. This means the image cannot be peeled or washed off, is not heat or UV sensitive and is totally waterproof.

The labels are also resistant to chemicals, acids and solvents.

reduces the number of shuttles needed and consequently the investment costs.

The Stingray works with any of TGW's well-proven load handling devices, allowing the Stingray to handle totes, cartons and similar load carriers in single or multi-deep racks. The intelligent lightweight construction considerably reduces the weight of the shuttle, allowing for optimum energy efficiency even with high acceleration and speed values, significantly reducing power consumption.

The Stingray Shuttle System completes TGW's range of automated mini-load warehouses.

"With the Stingray, TGW can now provide a complete solution offering for our customers that allows them to select the right solution based their parameters, at an attractive price-performance ratio and low total cost of ownership," says Hansl.

"Conventional mini-load cranes still have the better price-performance ratio when storage and retrieval applications require high storage capacities and lower relative throughput performance."