SVL

The closed-circuit SVL (System Vehicle Loop) is suitable for systems with high flows associated with a need for extensive pallet sortation. System Vehicle Loops significantly reduce transfer times of loading units, which is required in many order picking systems, especially automated order picking, and is essential for the “just-in-time” management of truck loading.

The System Vehicle Loop is based on pallet carriers (shuttles) that travel on an inverted monorail loop. Acting as a pallet sortation system, it is typically located between an automated storage and retrieval system and either order picking bays in an automatic high bay warehouse (HBWH) or the shipping docks. The use of a single monorail provides faster travel speeds around curves, maximizing overall throughput.

The System Vehicle Loop has many benefits, including:

Speed and Responsiveness

The system is based on a shuttle car that carries pallets at high-speeds with high acceleration; pallets arrive at destinations in the shortest time possible. SVL-based systems show even greater performance as the size of the system grows.

Throughput

Conventional wisdom states that a typical conveyor design provides maximum pallet throughput. Due to the acceleration and speeds of the individual carts, our System Vehicle Loops can utilize enough shuttles to actually flow more pallets than a conveyor solution. More importantly, the responsiveness of the SVL means more pallets, in the right sequence, can be delivered to order picking stations, increasing case and layer picking rates up to 30% when comparedct to traditional systems.
Simplicity and Redundancy

The System Vehicle Loop is made up of a series of vehicles running on monorail fixed on the floor. With fewer components (both mechanical and controls), the SVL is simpler than the traditional roller conveyor system. In addition, it has built in redundancy; a failure of a single cart is isolated to that cart and does not have a systemic impact.

Maximized AS/RS Performance

System Vehicle Loop technology is an extension of the overall automated storage and retrieval system. Static stands, driven remotely from an SVL cart, can be implemented as part of the overall loop. Therefore, pallets that are required multiple times during a picking period can be staged on a static stand instead of being returned to the AS/RS, only to be retrieved again later for another picking requirement. The total integration of the System Vehicle Loop and the automated storage and retrieval system maximizes the performance of both and in many cases reduces the overall investment in equipment. In certain applications such as tissue, beverage and food, savings can reach 70-80% of stacker crane movements.

To learn more about our large-cube horizontal carousels and how we can help you improve your order picking operations, contact us today.

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