Schletter GmbH, headquartered in Kirchdorf/Haag in northern Bavaria, has been specialising in lightweight construction for 40 years. With approximately 400 employees and a production area measuring 30,000 m2, the company manufactures components for the automotive and railway industries in addition to modular mounting systems and support structures for solar equipment. A new facility will provide space for additional presses and a thermal aging oven. Vollert Anlagenbau in Weinsberg was commissioned to link the individual production plants and handle inventory in the 140-metre long, 17-metre wide buffer warehouse using a special-purpose crane.
Limited Ceiling Height and Heavy Loads
Engineers had to take two key requirements into account. The manipulator must be able to lift profiles measuring 6, 12, and 18 metres in length using ultra-compact hoisters and running gear so that vertical storage space can be optimally used. The ceiling height of the warehouse is limited to approximately 8.7 metres on one side due to building regulations. An overhead manipulator spanning 17 metres with running gear that can move sideways through the facility provided the solution here. The trolley houses three hoisters, each of which can lift three tons or be combined with another or both remaining hoisters to lift a single load in unison. "Synchronous operation is critical to prevent heavy profiles from deforming in transit," explains Henry Schulze, project manager in charge at Vollert. "The solution also has a vertical lift height of 5.40 metres despite the low ceiling." Up to five transport buckets can be stacked on top of each other. The controller and transport guidance system from Vollert automatically ensure that all stacking operations are carried out properly and make the best use of available space. Around 50 percent of the profiles are 12 metres long; 25 percent measure 6 and the remaining 25 percent 18 metres in length.
The heavy-application specialists at Vollert need roughly one year to plan and construct the plant. The new warehouse should be ready for service at the beginning of 2010. Progress can be tracked via an Internet Web cam at www.schletter.de