At Noega Systems we have developed an R&D project for the remote inspection of automatic storage systems.
In recent years, the logistics sector is projecting itself as one of the fastest growing sectors due to the progressive change in consumer habits, increasing online consumption. In this field, automated storage systems are becoming increasingly important in logistics centers due to the need for high rotation and quantity of products.
These large storage systems incorporate the most advanced technology that gives them high productivity in the management of goods in terms of both speed and efficiency in storage and use of space.
It is known that storage systems, automatic or not, are considered by current legislation as work equipment and, therefore, within the obligations of employers are:
- Make suitable work equipment available to workers.
- Guarantee the safety and health of workers while using the same work equipment.
- Pay attention to ergonomic principles.
- Maintain and store them properly for safe use.
- Perform by competent personnel, tests and periodic checks documented in accordance with the specific regulations that apply.
The evaluation of the state of the storage systems requires the intervention of an expert inspector in order to evaluate the security and what is the level of existing risk.
NOEGA Systems acts as an independent entity, accredited by ENAC, through inspectors whose objective, together with our clients, is to reduce incidents, go to the causes of damage, aspire to storage systems and, therefore, warehouses every safer, avoiding material and personal damage. This evaluation is based on the standards:
- UNE-EN 15635 Use and maintenance of storage equipment
- UNE 58014 Validation of storage equipment
Inspection of automatic systems
For the inspection of the automatic systems, the collaboration of an operator from the company that owns the installation is required, in addition to the inspectors, whose function is to operate the stacker crane in manual mode, since the height inspection must be carried out from this one.
In the event that the stacker crane does not have a cabin, an approved basket/platform is used and approved by the customer’s SST service, although this option is not available in most cases, greatly complicating the inspection.
Additionally, there are cold storage systems whose stored products must be at sub-zero temperatures, reaching -30ºC. Obviously, the inspection must be carried out in the conditions in which the warehouse is located.
Finally, there are facilities for the storage of boxes (miniload type), in which it is not possible for the inspector to carry out the inspection from the platform of the stacker crane, as these are dimensioned for a load of less than the weight of a person (normally in the environment of the 40 kg). In these cases it is not possible to carry out the inspection.
NOEGA Systems has developed an R&D project for the inspection of automatic storage systems
NOEGA Systems has developed an R&D project consisting of the development and implementation of advanced technologies, in order to optimize and make the inspection system more flexible in large automated storage facilities with difficult access, using remotely controlled systems.
The project has consisted of the development of a specific Remote Inspection Device for Automatic Storage Systems (DIR). With this equipment, those cases in which it is not possible to carry out the inspection from the stacker crane are solved. In this way, the scenario that arises is that it is the Remote Inspection Device for storage systems that enters the most difficult to access or most dangerous environments, with the inspector being safe at a certain distance from the Inspection point.
This device allows us to advance, within the ITE® inspection systems for the detection of damage in automatic storage systems, improving competitiveness, independence and especially improving the safety of inspectors by eliminating work at height and other risks. Specifically, we achieve:
- Increase inspector safety
- Reduce inspection times (and therefore improve competitiveness)
- Expand the spectrum of automatic installations to be inspected
- Solve the impossibility of inspecting automatic mini-load installations
At Noega Systems we are specialized in the design, manufacture, assembly and inspection of all types of metal shelving, industrial and storage systems. If your company needs advice in this area, do not hesitate to contact us.
