Cold-store AS/RS solution
Stacker cranes, four-way shuttles or radio shuttles selected for each temperature zone and built into a complete system for the cold store: fewer people in the cold, more storage upwards.
Stacker cranes, four-way shuttles or radio shuttles selected for each temperature zone and built into a complete system for the cold store: fewer people in the cold, more storage upwards.
A cold-store AS/RS is not one machine but storage equipment built as a complete system for steady service at low temperature. In a freezer, people can work only limited time and every cubic metre is expensive to cool, so it pays even more to build upwards and keep people out. The equipment uses low-temperature lubricants, cables and batteries; control cabinets are heated or placed in an ambient zone; and the in/out points are designed against condensation and frost. Depending on throughput and budget, the store uses stacker cranes, four-way shuttles, or semi-automated radio shuttles that still need forklifts.
Typical uses
- Frozen food, meat, poultry, seafood, ice cream
- Dairy and fresh-produce chilled stores
- Export cold-chain distribution
- Pharmaceutical cold chain (temperature requirements per project)
How to choose
- Temperature zones: freezer, chilled or several
- Peak movements, SKU profile, first-in first-out or last-in first-out, and required availability decide between cranes, four-way shuttles and radio shuttles
- Temperature difference at the doors and how they open, which decides anti-condensation measures
- New building or retrofit of an existing cold store
When it is not the right choice
- Standard ambient models must not go straight into a freezer: equipment, batteries and lubricants need low-temperature ratings
- Very low daily movements and small capacity: do the numbers; cold-store racking with forklifts may cost less
Key figures
| Temperature | Freezer equipment typically runs continuously down to about −25 to −30 °C; chilled 0–4 °C class |
|---|---|
| Stacker cranes | Low-temperature type about −30 to +40 °C |
| Radio shuttles | Low-temperature type about −25 to −30 °C |
| Cold-store AGV | Operates at about −25 °C with self-heating batteries |
| Controls | Heated cabinets, or cabinets in an ambient zone |
| Building | Insulated envelope; rack-clad possible |
Figures are typical configuration ranges; exact specifications are set per project.
Options
- Insulated rack-clad building
- Low-temperature stacker cranes, four-way shuttles or radio shuttles
- Low-temperature batteries and heating
- High-speed doors, air curtains and buffer rooms
- Temperature and equipment monitoring
Scope of supply
- Machine, drives and control cabinet, assembled and dry-run tested before shipping
- The equipment's own control and fleet software; interfaces to your existing WMS / ERP as the project requires
- Drawings: general arrangement, foundation and anchor plan, electrical schematics
- Conformity documents for the equipment and the whole line, the split of responsibilities and the acceptance criteria are set out in the contract according to the project scope
- Spare-parts list and wear-part recommendation; a first batch can ship with the equipment
- Factory acceptance (FAT): attend in person or follow by live video
- Installation, commissioning and operator training can be included in the offer
What we need for an offer
- Temperature zones and required capacity
- Pallet size and weight
- Daily and peak-hour movements
- Site and height; new build or retrofit
- Product temperature at intake