The answer to multiple industry pressures

They must deal with some of the highest land costs in the world – and in the case of the logistics sector, a looming labour shortage as older, more experienced staff reach retirement.

Automated systems for storage, handling and retrieval can go a long way towards tackling these challenges, helping to manage stock more efficiently and raise staff productivity. However the growing demand for Vertical Lift Systems, which provide efficient, flexible, secure and productive automated storage and retrieval, also reflects their ability to make vastly more effective use of valuable space. Such systems can cut the amount of space required by 90% or even more, often releasing space for other productive use - or in some cases, saving the significant cost and upheaval of relocation.

Designs such as Couzens Storage Solutions recently upgraded Modula vertical lift storage and retrieval system incorporate a high level of automation and advanced IT systems, providing fast and accurate picking in a highly compact, space-saving storage structure. Based on the principle of vertically stored trays, a central automated platform travels up and down between the front and rear storage frames selecting the requested trays and deliver them to the picking bay. With heights from 3.3m up to 14.1m as standard, Modula can make maximum use of unused and overlooked headroom, storing up to 60,000 kg in a little over 18 sq m.

Modula is designed to store a variety of goods of different dimensions in a single unit. A colour touch screen console displays data specifying which items are to be selected, so that the operator can simply call up the required tray which is presented automatically in seconds at a comfortable picking height. By scanning the bar code the operator can check that the pick is accurate and updates the stock management system in real time.

For fully integrated management and control, Modula’s WMS provides an advanced software package that can interact with any ERP and manage stock control functions such as order preparation, goods reception, stock checks, packing and shipping.

Photoelectric cells at the rear of the picking bay scan the height of products entering into the store and automatically select the most suitable location and position. The tray will be returned to the picking bay if it is too high for the space available and instructs the operator to reconfigure the products stored.