Important Components of Swivel Stackers and Their Advantages and Disadvantages

The rotating rail mechanism is an important part of the rotating rail stacker system. The swivel stacker can automatically switch the running track through the rotating mechanism, which makes the track expandable. Under the premise of meeting the frequency of warehousing, reducing the number of stackers can greatly reduce the cost of building automated three-dimensional warehouses, greatly improve the degree of automation, flexibility is also stronger, and fully meet the requirements of logistics warehousing system automation and warehousing unmanned.

Since the development of stacker cranes, their functions and structures have been very mature, and the space for controlling the production cost of a single machine has been very limited. However, in some special fields, if a stacker can operate automatically in two or more lanes and meet system requirements, the cost of automated three-dimensional warehouses will be reduced to a great extent.

Based on this background, the swivel stacker system came into being. In fact, it is more of a new application concept for stackers, not just the development and innovation of a single stacker.

Features of swivel stacker

1. Higher degree of automation. The upper computer controls the swivel mechanism through the dispatching system and automatically switches the running track of the slew-type stacker;

2. System flexibility and flexibility are higher. A single rail-type stacker can operate multiple lanes at the same time, and the stacker lanes can be continuously expanded according to different needs.

3. Maximize storage space utilization. Due to the application of the transfer mechanism, the spatial arrangement of the shelves can be more reasonable. On the premise of meeting the usage requirements, the entrance and exit of goods can be greatly reduced, and more free area can be saved.

4. The construction cost of automated three-dimensional warehouses is lower. On the premise of meeting the efficiency of entering and exiting the warehouse, reducing the number of stackers can greatly reduce the construction cost of the automated three-dimensional warehouse.

Curve-running stacker, also known as swivel stacker, is articulated with the lower beam through a vertical axis, and can then operate on a circular or other curved track, which means it can run on a curve.

It can be transferred from one tunnel to another without using other conveying equipment.

Disadvantages of swivel stacker

1. Scope of use: Only use automated three-dimensional warehouses with low frequency of entry and exit.

2. Frequency of entry and exit: Due to the limit of turning radius, the speed will become particularly slow when turning, so it can not meet the three-dimensional warehouse operation with high frequency of entering and leaving the warehouse.

The track arrangement mode of the swivel stacker

1. A1 roadway and A2, A3, A4 roadway constitute three U-rail modes respectively.A stacker can operate in any roadway according to needs, and each stacker in the layout can carry out mutual backup. When one fails, other stackers can replace the operation. The system can be configured with less than the number of roadways according to its actual needs. For example, four roadways can be configured with 1, 2 or 3 stackers respectively to achieve the best configuration and effectively reduce investment costs under the premise of meeting the needs of the system’s operating capacity.

2. From the above arrangement mode, it can be seen that the biggest advantage of the application of the rotary stacker system is that a small number of stackers are configured in multiple tunnels, and other stackers can replace the work when one stacker fails, so as to not affect the work of the material in and out of the tunnel, which not only meets the automatic handling function of the automated three-dimensional warehouse, but also greatly reduces the cost.

However, some shortcomings can also be seen from the layout mode. For example, entry and exit operations can only be performed at one end of the vertical warehouse. Due to the installation of a rail changing device, the vertical warehouse will occupy more space. Therefore, the swivel stacker system can only be used in the automated three-dimensional warehouses of some special enterprises.