DON’T LET OLD TECHNOLOGY KEEP YOUR INTRALOGISTICS COSTS HIGH

Driven by the aim of providing intelligent energy management systems that ensure lower life-costs and maximum efficiencies, Austrian battery charging technology expert Fronius has set new standards with its range of battery chargers for intralogistics. Opting for a completely alternative technical approach with its innovative self-regulating “Ri” charging process, Fronius has written a new chapter in the history of charging systems. The Richarging process allows the charging characteristic to be automatically adapted according to the type of battery, age, temperature and discharge level – all of which are continually monitored from the moment the battery is connected to the charger. Every single charging cycle is unique, minimising harmful overcharging and warming of the battery.

Thanks to this technology, Fronius Selectiva devices with this charging process achieve charging efficiency levels that were previously inconceivable – a staggering 90 percent.

So many logistics managers are still choosing the old 50 Hertz or high frequency technology regardless of their many disadvantages – such as almost totally ignoring the state of the battery.

This is because the charger is often overlooked in the purchasing decision when buying logistics systems, despite the charger actually playing a major role in determining ongoing operating costs; the charger has a major influence over electricity costs, the level of CO2 emissions and the total service life of the battery. Fronius can provide a battery lifecycle costs calculation showing the potential savings that you could obtain by using Fronius chargers. Fill in the online I-SpoT form at www.fronius.com/intralogistics Since launching this revolutionary technology, offering unbeatable benefits for users, the company has extended its range of services to include complete systems for the charging of traction batteries for forklift trucks. This impressive development confirms its position as know-how leader in the battery charging sector.

These complete systems take the form of whole battery charging rooms and battery charging stations. The Fronius system concept ensures safe charging at all times by addressing all the hazards inherent in using these systems: the high charging currents, the release of potentially explosive gases, the handling of chemicals and unattended operation. The very latest standards and regulations for charging traction batteries are adhered to. This was one of the deciding factors upon which Swiss company Sulzer Mixpac AG (a leading global supplier of pumps and maintenance for rotating machinery) replaced their old conventional chargers using 50 Hz transformer technology with new Fronius charging stations as part of an improvement project to handle the increasing flow of goods.

Their 14 forklifts must be available at all times.

Other demanding parameters were also fulfilled by choosing Fronius, such as technology that prevents battery damage, a flexible charging process, user-friendliness and investment protection, to name the most important.

The new charging station approach is going down well with the forklift truck drivers who are able to drive them for significantly longer periods. Due to high total efficiency the company’s energy costs have also dropped by over 20 percent. The project gained positive feedback within the organisation and was put forward for flagship project of the year.

The Selectiva range of chargers from 1KW to 16KW (8KW and 16KW with Ri-charging process) are available through UK distributors IBCS and Powercell. For more information on complete charging systems for traction batteries or to find out about the Fronius range of chargers for car starter batteries visit www.fronius.co.uk or call Ross on 01908 512300.