Cables for shuttle warehouse connected in seconds

What was needed: A modular and easy-to-install vertical cable guide on the lifts of shuttle warehouses

Requirements: Simplicity, quick to install, lubrication-free and maintenance-free

Industry: Material handling

Success for the customer: Module Connect plug-in systems combine all individual plug-in connections in one system. This saves Rocket Solution a lot of time when dismantling the pre-tested warehouse system and installing the solution at the customer's premises and reduces errors when plugging in. Cables and energy chains are also supplied completely pre-fitted as well as ready for connection.

The automation specialist Rocket Solution offers complete solutions for material handling, consisting of racking systems, compact shuttles, lifters and software. The RSX1 shuttle warehouse system promises at least 50% more container storage capacity in the same space. One of the reasons for this is a four-fold deep storage system with an intelligent telescopic system.

In order to enable a solution that is as autonomous as possible but also customisable, all components must be designed to be flexible, durable, modular and easy to repair. This also applies to the energy supply to the lift systems (lifters) for the vertical transport of the shuttles within the shelving system. Depending on the storage dimensions, the lifters can reach heights of up to 30 metres, with up to four lift systems per lane side moving the containers to the desired floor at speeds of up to 5m/s and accelerations of up to 7m/s2.

Not only did the dynamic operation require a reliable and fast-moving energy supply. As Rocket Solution first tests the entire storage structure in its own warehouse, then dismantles it and reassembles it at the customer's premises, it had to be possible to install the energy supply and cables as easily and quickly as possible. At the same time, potential sources of error when connecting the electrical connections had to be minimised.

To supply the lifters with energy and signals, Rocket Solution relies on a modular concept: the Module Connect connector system. These are modular plug-in modules that allow easy connection and disconnection of energy chains and the cables in them. This is because all individual contact carriers are fixed in a flexible plug-in module and there is only one plug-in module per connection side instead of many individual connections.

The plug-in system therefore not only saves Rocket Solution a considerable amount of time when dismantling and assembling the shuttle racks. It also avoids potential sources of error that could arise from connecting the plugs individually.

The bend-resistant chainflex cables and energy chains are supplied pre-fitted and ready for connection as a so-called readychain system. The customer only has to worry about inserting the cables into the Module Connect system and thereby saves considerable installation time. In addition to the vertical cable guide on the load handling attachments, smaller energy chains, such as type E2.1, are also used for the horizontal extension of the containers on the lift.

Most recently, particularly light iglidur plain bearings were also installed at several bearing points on the Rocket Solution shuttle. However, they not only support the lightweight construction approach, but are also perfectly suited for the long-term autonomous operation of the shuttles in the shelving system thanks to their lubrication-free and maintenance-free function.