Features/Benefits Provided: Exceeded the 98% uptime performance guarantee Fulfilled in 7 minutes hanger worker's parts requests, start-to-finish Provided complete control system redundancy

This large U.S. Airline chose automation for material handling of aircraft repair parts in their 4 newly built hangers. The selected Supplier was to provide two different types of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), multiple conveyor types, and systems integration that included monorail.

This location is 1 of 3 automated warehouses the Airline uses to supply parts to its global aircraft fleet. To manage this, the site has 2 separate Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) of 3 miniload aisles and 3 unitload aisles. There are additional major subsystems: an automated overhead monorail system with 11 carriers, case conveyor, and pallet conveyor. The overhead monorail system transports parts in hangers 1 through 4. Parts arrive in totes via a lowerator and are returned to the warehouse via an elevator to the monorail.

The Supplier designed, programmed, and installed the Material Handling Control System (MHCS) that instructs all subsystems to work in concert. The MHCS processes shipping notices, downloaded from the Host, where they are converted into movement commands and sent to the equipment. In the event of a major component failure, a miniload AS/RS transfer device allows the storage and retrieval machine (SRM) to be routed from one aisle to another as a backup.

The Supplier is also contracted to provide ongoing maintenance staffing for the AS/RS. Maintenance technicians perform preventative maintenance and manage the required spare parts inventory using the Supplier's maintenance software. This mission-critical facility operates 365 days per year, 24 hours per day, and is covered, around the clock, by a skilled staff of factory-trained technicians supported by the Supplier's engineering team.

is a Proud Member of the AS/RS Product Section of Material Handling Industry of America

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