World of Material Handling 2016: Review

Linde presented a new load train concept also for the first time to the interested professional audience at the WOMH 2016 - the Linde Factory Train Compact. The Factory Train Compact (FT Compact) is a further development of the load train - Factory Train (FT) - that is already established on the market. With a very compact design of individual modules and thus small spaces between the load carriers, the length of the load train shrinks to a minimum. In connection with the very good manoeuvrability and the extremely high fidelity of the total train track, the FT Compact is ideally suited for material transport in the indoor area. The modules can be optionally equipped with bandages or SE tyres - depending on how the ground characteristics of the infrastructure at customer premises is and in what areas the load train is used. Thus, also application in outdoor area is easily possible.

A highlight and magnet for visitors was the automation demonstration with loading and unloading of a roller conveyor belt. A P-MATIC tractor with a newly developed and fully automated conveyor belt carrier took over the pallet directly from the roller track and transported them further to a high-bay warehouse, without human aid.

Whether forward and backward - with the 45° angled seat, the driver always has the best view in the direction of travel and of the load. We developed this novelty together with Linde for the WOMH. The difference from the previously available rotatable driver workstation is the rigid seat position at a 45° angle. The advantages are obvious: The driver always has the best view in his direction of travel. The risk of accident is reduced to a minimum. The driver also always has the same seat position whether he drives forward or reverses. Thus, he must not familiarise anew and user-friendliness is very high. Due to various setting options of the steering unit, the driver can set up his work place ergonomically according to his needs. The physical strain on the driver reduces enormously, particularly in many reverse movements, the spine and back muscles are relieved of stress, while increasing the productivity and safety.

Also presented at the WOMH 2016 were the optional elevating cabins as well as the rotating cabin for the Linde heavy forklift truck series 1401 in the load capacity range of 10 to 18 tonnes. Both systems allow the driver an ergonomic work and increase safety.

The elevating cabin can be driven continuously variably at the push of a button in less than ten seconds to a maximum height of 5.5 metres (top of driver’s cabin). From there, the driver overlooks the load and can drive forward in the usual manner. The elevating cabin is especially suitable for stacking as well as loading and unloading of heavy goods or their storage on narrow surfaces such as loading openings of aircraft.

With the rotating cabin and the rotation of the entire cabin up to 90° to the left and 65° to the right and an additionally invoked full rotation up to 180° to the left, the driver always has the best view in his direction of motion - also when reversing. In addition, the driver can target any intermediate angle and thus steer to visible areas.