Product category:
Flexible machining cells and systems (FMS)
News Release from: Fastems Divisions, Helvar | Subject: DMC-XMD pallet stacker crane
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 31 October 2003
Medium duty stacker crane added to
pallet handling
A completely revised MD stacker crane series for handling machine tool pallets in flexible cell systems includes medium-duty models for handling loads up to 2500kg.
At the EMO 2003, Fastems unveiled a completely revised MD stacker crane series The traditional DMC-MD has now a sturdier companion, DMC-XMD, which extends the load handling capacity of the MD series up to 2500kg
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 23 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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At the end of October 2000, the first phase of a GBP 600,000 flexible manufacturing system project became operational at the Poole factory of Westwind Air Bearings.
These new, medium-duty models are additions to the company's stacker crane selection which now extends from 700kg light-duty models to 9500kg extra heavy-duty stacker cranes.
The new MD stacker cranes have three numerically controlled axes and they use telescopic, adjustable forks for handling the pallets.
A rigid, double mast construction increases stability and minimises mast deflection, which is essential when handling machine tool pallets, explains Tero Rapila, Chief Design Engineer for the new models.
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Coventry-based Viasystems has installed a new, flexible manufacturing system (FMS) for machining the front and rear extrusions that go into electronic equipment racks.
System serves any make of M-C with pallets
One of the main benefits of the Fastems FPM compact pallet storage and retrieval systems design is that the pallet crane can deliver pallets to a variety of machining centres.
"They are designed to lift loads to a height of 20 metres, enabling the customer to utilise the full height of his production facility.
Speed, flexibility, efficiency and accuracy are the core features of stacker cranes in an FMS.
Our new models enable higher systems with larger and faster transfer capacities.
They also ensure optimum use of floor space and their modular and compact structure makes installation quicker and easier.
Enhanced diagnostics results in faster recovery from an interruption," Mr.Rapila continues listing the enhancements made.
DMC-MD provides three different speed/performance classes: 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0m/s.
The XMD is available in 2.5 or 3.0 m/s models.
Owing to the modular structure, the new models can be easily upgraded when there is a need to increase capacity.
The number of components used in their construction has been reduced from 500 to 300 for reliability and ease of maintenance.
Another feature of the new MD stacker crane series is the optional sliding height measuring system (SHMS) which enables storage layout optimisation.
Fastems targets 8,760 hours availability - Fastems, whose origins date back to the 1950s, is owned by the Helvar Merca Group.
It is one of the leading suppliers of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) in Europe and an open system integrator supporting all major machine tool manufacturers with proven software and hardware modules.
Users are able to choose a combination of machine and pallet handling system which best suits their production requirements.
Companies utilising such FMS have experienced rapid return on investment by reducing inventories at different stages of the manufacturing process.
Often the result is a factory that occupies half of the floor space which would otherwise be needed, with two thirds less work-in-progress and one third fewer people.
To date, Fastems has delivered more than 300 FMS in 15 countries.
They range from small systems consisting of two-level high-bay storage with eight machine pallets, one loading station and one machine tool to the biggest delivery so far that has about 2,000 materials pallets, several loading stations, assembly stations and numerous machine tools - a complete factory itself.
All systems endeavour to utilise the 8,760 hours available in a normal year and come close to achieving this goal.
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