Electric Track Systems
Innovative horizontal and vertical Monorail System Q
uirepace are the UK agents for the innovative products from Telelift Logistic GmbH. The long-established Unicar product, which has been developed over the last 30+ years, has more recently been supplemented by the heavier duty Multicar system which, with its higher payload, is finding applications in industrial markets. The monorail track products from Telelift offer unique solutions that are not directly available from any other conveyor system. The ability to travel between floors or across working spaces at high level, means that the whole of the space within a building is available for the intralogistics system, maximising the flexibility of the space and minimising the interference with other processes. Unicar and Multicar are network monorail track systems with autonomous trolleys or cars which can move anywhere on the track network. The track can be installed horizontally, vertically and at any gradient. The original Unicar system’s traditional markets are Healthcare and Libraries with payloads up to 15kg. Multicar operates in a similar manner, with the same control software, but in a heavier duty configuration. Multicar trolleys can carry payloads up to 45kg, making the system much more suitable for industrial processes for e.g. parts delivery to production lines, collection of output from injection moulders and small-pressings, and as part of the production line itself. Multicar can be equipped with highly customised load handling devices for many different sizes, shapes and weights of payload. In automotive applications, Multicar delivers bumper assemblies and door panels to the production line. The Unicar and Multicar tracks carry both data and power on a busbar system. The trolleys are friction driven on
horizontal track sections, making them extremely safe in operation, and convert to rack and pinion on climbs. The ability to transport payloads both horizontally and vertically without any requirement to transfer the payload to a separate lifting mechanism delivers an innovative and extremely flexible intralogistics solution. Both Unicar and Multicar can be routed at high level and within service areas where the track can be kept well away from production floors and other logistics systems, only dropping to load/unload areas in the immediate vicinity of the process to be served. Both Unicar and Multicar transactions can be initiated either through HMI (touchscreen terminals) or integrated with SCADA and WMS for automated control. Interface with other automated systems, such as automated load/ unload stations is easily delivered through local PLC interfaces. The trolleys themselves also present both power and digital I/O for sophisticated load handling systems if required. The standard touchscreen terminal offers the operator complete information on the activity of the station; it shows approaching trolleys, trollies in the station and those departing. The operation has the facilities to record the contents of the payload and also offers the ability for secure transport if required. A feature of both Unicar and Multicar is the ability to keep the payload perfectly horizontal during transportation, no matter whether the trolley is moving horizontally or vertically. This can be achieved either using a gravity pendulum system or a dynamic powered solution.
way tracks supplemented by switches, the layouts are configured for maximum efficiency. Both Unicar and Multicar are completely modular systems that may be extended at any time simply by adding switches and additional tracks. Not only that, but the performance is scalable by adding additional cars and trolleys to the network, so whatever the anticipated growth might be, it can be accommodated by the Telelift installation. In many installations, custom load handling devices are required. Telelift have a wide range of standard components such as powered roll-on roll-off conveyors, but are also able to construct customised load handling devices for particular applications. Inevitably in many buildings the track will be required to cross fire compartmentation. The Telelift system includes a range of fire doors and gates which can be mounted on both walls and floors in order to maintain the appropriate fire resistance. A sophisticated UPS system ensures that even in the event of total power failure, the trolley can be powered clear of a fire door to allow it to close correctly. The fire doors are connected to the building fire alarm system and incorporate the appropriate time delays to ensure that all trollies are clear before the doors close. All fire doors are ‘failsafe’ with both controlled closure and back-stop fusible links. Both Unicar and Multicar are well established solutions and are available in the UK through Quirepace. Contact us today and find out more about these innovative and flexible systems. Contact 023 9260 3700 sales@quirepace.co.uk www.quirepace.co.uk
Like any transport system, the track network is configured to deliver the traffic handling requirement of the customer. Many cars or trolleys can be active on the network simultaneously, with one and two
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