Innovative high capacity storage and retrieval solution scoops major industry prize. Materials handling specialist Kardex has won the British Materials Handling Federation Innovation Award for the latest addition to its automated storage and retrieval solution family. The Kardex Puma is a dynamic horizontal carousel storage solution designed to optimise the storage capacity of rooms with low ceiling heights. The compact system provides the equivalent of up to 274 square metres of conventional storage in one unit for room heights of up to four metres.
Judges at the Logistics Link Live! Exhibition at Stoneleigh Park this May recognised the efficiency of the solution presented by Kardex for storage and retrieval in limited space. Unlike standard carousel systems, the Puma contains hundreds of individual storage cases that move relative to each other, using a clever algorithm that navigates cases through the shortest path to the operator. This 'goods-to-man' principle minimises picking time and boosts productivity.
"Kardex is delighted to receive this prestigious award against some very stiff competition. After years of research and development, Kardex engineers came up with a winning solution to the problem of high capacity storage in rooms with low ceiling heights," explains Kardex marketing manager, Hugh Dixon. "The new Kardex Puma horizontal carousel system overcomes height limitations by providing a robust and highly compact system capable of large volumes, all within just four metres of room height."
The Kardex Puma increases productivity and cuts costs by reducing the floor space required to store articles when compared to conventional racking systems. By housing all stock in one compact Puma unit, greater control and stock accuracies of over 99 percent can be achieved. Safety and security is enhanced by the L-shaped safety light curtain, monitoring the operator's station when the lifting door is open.
Available in a range of widths and depths, each of the storage cases within the Puma system can be subdivided in many ways to hold a variety of articles. Each case can hold up to 250 kg and items can be stacked within each individual case.
With one access point for the operator, at the ergonomically correct access height, bending, stretching and lifting is virtually eliminated, reducing the effort required to place articles in storage and retrieve them.
Every Puma customer also benefits from the Kardex materials handling consultancy service which evaluates customer needs and provides a turnkey solution that meets the requirements. The service offers the option of remote diagnosis and provides customer support through its nationwide network of service and support engineers.
www.kardex.co.uk