The logistics sector is currently experiencing a boom in innovations. Some striking examples of this can be found in Hall 4, where the winners of the International Forklift of the Year election (IFOY) have gathered. Innovations from Still, UniCarriers and Jungheinrich set visitors thinking.
On a twenty-by-twenty-metre floor, a driverless tractor is driving. Behind the tractor are two trolleys with a roller bed. Together, they form a train that runs a fixed route, picking up and dropping off pallets along the way fully automatically. "An ideal solution, for example, for transporting pallets of finished goods from production line to warehouse. The tractor can pull a weight of five tonnes. If the pallets weigh one tonne, the tractor can easily carry four pallets at a time," says Bert Vermeijden, intralogistics systems consultant at Still.
Powered roller bed
Still is one of the IFOY winners showing its solutions at Logistica. "We received this innovation award for the overall concept. One of the special features is the frame on which the pallets are deposited. That frame is also equipped with a powered roller bed, which receives its energy from the tractor's battery. Once the tractor has positioned one of the trolleys in front of the frame, the trolley and frame make contact and both roller beds start rotating. As the frame therefore does not need its own connection to the elev power supply, it can be easily moved," Vermeijden explains.
The coupling between the tractor and the trolley is also striking. For this, Still has developed a scissor construction instead of a drawbar. "Thanks to that scissor construction, the whole train becomes a lot more compact, while still being able to make sharp turns. The whole train continues to accurately follow the track of the tractor," Vermeijden says. In addition to transporting production, he also sees opportunities for supplying production lines. "Companies with 24-hour production save three forklift drivers from this. And because this tractor can carry several pallets, fewer AGVs are needed."
Steerless forklift
Another IFOY winner is UniCarriers, which is showing a three-wheel forklift without the traditional steering column. Instead, a mini steering wheel is placed on the left armrest. "That steering mechanism has long been used on reach trucks, but now we have also fitted it to a traditional forklift. That makes this truck unique," says Rik Streelman, key account manager at UniCarriers.
The striking steering mechanism promotes an ergonomic working position. With a traditional steering column, drivers sit slightly askew on their seats. With the mini steering wheel on the left arm, they can sit upright in a natural position, saving back and shoulders. "An additional advantage is the extra space in the cabin because the steering column is missing," Streelman says. "But in fairness, this solution is mainly of interest to drivers who mainly drive straight ahead over long distances. If a driver drives more than 30 per cent backwards and has to get on and off the truck a lot, a traditional steering wheel is preferable."
Compact reach truck
Jungheinrich won an IFOY award for its new reach truck with built-in lithium battery. As this battery is more compact than a traditional lead-acid battery, the German forklift manufacturer managed to place the battery under the cabin. This makes the reach truck a bit shorter than existing models, where the traction battery is placed between the cabin and the mast. An additional advantage is the improved visibility of the mast and load.
Still welcomes the space that Logistica gives to IFOY winners. "Our award-winning train is a future-proof solution. It is not of interest to many companies now, but may be in the future. Visitors to this exhibition will see the possibilities of the train now, which may get them thinking," says Sandra Herlaar, marketing manager at Still. "Don't forget that this innovation not only improves efficiency but also reduces traffic on the shop floor. That makes for a safer working environment."
Logistica
The IFOY winners will display their innovations at Logistica until 7 November, in hall 4. Not registered yet? You can still do so here.
