7 minute read
Radioshuttle™ 30 years
30 years
S I N C E 1 9 9 0 EAB STORAGE EQUIPMENT The pioneer Radioshuttle TM is 30 years old
Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Optimisation are terms that are always relevant. At EAB, we were pioneers in this field and this year Radioshuttle™ celebrates 30 years.
The latest version, RS 6.0, is equipped with Wi-Fi and can be controlled by phone, but even the first model was ahead of its time. At the end of the 1980s, the idea of a robot to streamline warehouse management and optimise storage space was sown, and by 1990 the first model of the shuttle was on the market. We also developed a rack for the shuttle, which can be adapted to maximise efficiency and sustainability.
Christer Larsson, Product Developer at EAB ”With our extensive experience of pallet racking and warehouse management, we know that major benefits can be gained from optimising your warehouse. Companies with a cold storage warehouse quickly grasped the opportunities, since they have ongoing running costs for every cubic metre," says Christer Larsson, one of the brains behind Radioshuttle™. Radioshuttle™ was the first pallet management system on the market and as it was a completely new handling principle in the logistics industry, it took a few years before it really took off. Between 1993 and 1994, the advantages of Radioshuttle™, which was initially called Maxipacker, became more apparent to more and more people.
From EAB to the other side of the world Exports soon got under way and in a short time the system was being used across the Nordic region and northern Europe. One of the first large export markets was New Zealand, on the other side of the world. Radioshuttle™ was originally developed from our drive-in racking system, which is another way of optimising storage area.
1990
2020
The first shuttle was supplied to the Swedish Sugar Company, which is still one of EAB's loyal Radioshuttle™ customers.
All manufacturing in Smålandsstenar Production of the system is a real craft. All design, manufacture and development of the shuttle and its storage racks take place under our roof in Smålandsstenar, which is unusual in the industry. Here, material is bent and welded, sheet metal is developed, and we also conduct final testing of the products. We also take home and service or upgrade shuttles already sold to customers. The models delivered today are retroactively compatible with systems delivered over the last 15 years, making it easy to
cut, and mechanics, electronics and software are update older facilities. ”Our vision when we decided to invest in the shuttle was that if we could sell 5-10 shuttles a year, it wouldn't be too much of a crazy idea," says Christer, laughing.
At the time of writing, the sixth generation of Radioshuttle, the RS 6.0, has sold more than 1.000 units, and, since sales begun, the shuttles have been lifting more than 70.000 pallets per hour across the world.
NEW!
Control the shuttle via your smartphone with RSC - Radioshuttle Connect
Radioshuttle™ was previously operated using the remote control supplied. But with our RSC, it is now possible to control it directly from a smartphone or tablet. All information shown on the shuttle's display can quite simply be seen on your smartphone or tablet's display, known as two-way communication. RSC can be installed in every new shuttle, but can also be retrofitted in existing systems.
”What a lift for the region!”
Strong development since the opening of EAB Racketcenter
Padel tennis has become the sport on everyone's lips and halls are popping up everywhere. Padel tennis is not really a new sport, since its rules and principles were established back in 1974. Padel tennis is played with two teams of two, with special padel bats and balls similar to tennis balls, on a court surrounded by glass or brick walls. A ball that hits the walls around the court after bouncing is still in play, like in squash, for example.
Visitors from all over the region Mathias Claesson is the head trainer at Smålandsstenar TK, primarily for tennis, but he also runs padel tennis courses. He has been employed full-time by Smålandsstenar Tennis Club for almost 11 years, and thinks things have really taken off since EAB Racketcenter opened.
”The padel tennis hall has really added new momentum, and we've gained so many new players! Many tennis clubs have been concerned that
padel tennis will take players away from tennis, but we find that none of the tennis players have stopped playing in favour of padel tennis. We've actually seen quite the opposite effect, which is that padel tennis players have also become interested in playing tennis. Since the opening in September 2019, the number of bookings has increased and today the padel tennis hall is virtually fully booked every week. Visitors come from all over the region, and even though there are several halls nearby, they're also fully booked. ”
Good future for padel tennis
”Visitors are both girls and boys of all ages. It's particularly exciting that so many girls have come into the sport. It's not unusual to come here and see 12 girls, i.e. the whole hall, playing at full pelt. It is so exciting that we're seeing new players in the hall every week.” Mathias believes there is a good future for padel tennis in Sweden. The sport has grown explosively during the past year and the Swedish Padel Tennis Federation has worked flat out on setting up competitions, training sessions and league games. This has meant that there are many exciting things going on right now.
”We're into the second round of league games here in Smålandsstenar. We have 24 teams competing in 6 different divisions, which is great!”
Get started with padel!
You need four players, two in each team
Scoring is the same as in tennis
The lines on the court are only used when serving
A serve can bounce off the glass wall, but if it bounces off the mesh it's a fault
If the ball hits the opponents' wall directly, it counts as out. Before the ball can hit the opponents' wall, it must first bounce off the ground.
You can hit the ball against your own glass wall to get it over to the opponents' half of the court
You are not allowed to hit the ball into the mesh on your own side Henrietta Roolf-Rehn Active padel tennis player, Broaryd "I started playing padel in November and think it's fantastic fun. It feels like a sport that suits everyone, and I got hooked right away. It's really great that you've invested in this here in Smålandsstenar!"
Filip Carlsson Project Engineer for storage equipment and die-hard padel tennis player "I've been active and played tennis for Smålandsstenar Tennis Club since I was 13. After EAB Racketcenter opened, I also got involved in padel and run women's padel courses. It's very exciting to get more women into the sport and it really seems to be appreciated. Padel tennis is a sport enjoyed by many people, regardless of age, who like to keep fit or who are active sports enthusiasts. Since EAB Racketcenter was built, it has created a good sense of community in the area - it involves a lot of people and is suitable for everyone - what a bonus for the region!"
Johanna Ohliw Newbie padel fan, Anderstorp "I have only played padel a few times, but I'm already hooked. Today I'm here with my family, but usually I play with my girlfriends. I really like that it's a sport I can play both with friends and my daughters, who are aged 11 and 14, and who always want to come along. Also, I'm really impressed by the premises, which are incredibly nice. Travelling here from Anderstorp is clearly worth it!"
Birgitta Trevik Active padel player, Smålandsstenar "I started playing padel when EAB Racketcenter opened and since then I've played twice a week with two different training groups. Interest in padel has grown massively. I like the proximity of Racketcenter, but you have to be on the ball when the times are released. Today we're also having a lesson on how we can develop our game further!
