Trolley handling has always been a key feature of iCart . The iCart shuttle was specifically created to support buffering and queuing of trolleys . The iCart shuttle is a “ game changer ”. It can handle the buffering , queuing and transfer of trolleys and roll cages without the need for complex push-pull mechanisms or conveyors . It moves under the roll cage or trolley , using laser sensors to build a profile of the roll cage and can adjust its position and connection mechanisms accordingly . It can recognise gaps in the buffer and quickly moves nearby roll cages to ensure there ’ s space available
where needed . This profiling also enables it to compensate for significant variations in manufacturing tolerances . The shuttles are battery powered and automatically move to a floor mounted charging point when they have no work to do . Energy Costs are another key benefit . A shuttle typically uses less than £ 50 of electricity per year .
The integration of truck and shuttle enables a complete hands-free loadunload solution . The shuttle can load and unload trolleys and roll cages automatically . Roll cages can be
transferred in and out from the system either directly via shuttle buffers or at manual load unload stations .
The first application of iCart shuttles was in one of the largest mail centres in the UK over 3 years ago . Now shuttle buffers , up to 60m long , are in place in a variety of locations within the UK . Multiple shuttles sometimes work as a team within a single buffer passing work between each other to achieve high throughput . Multiple trolleys can be handled at the same time with loads of over 1 tonne . These systems manage , move and store trolleys without operator intervention saving thousands of miles of walking by operators every year .
iCart systems are modular robotic solutions designed to solve in-house logistics problems . They bring about radical improvements in key performance indicators for their customers . iCart modules integrate with one another and complete systems can be quickly customised to suit specific user requirements . At last efficient and reliable automated handling of roll cages can now be achieved using iCart , developed in the UK by ADM Automation Limited .
Further information at : www . icart-logistics . com
FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk 33