Intralogistics technology provider Montratec is planning to present cutting-edge technologies for process automation and efficiency increase at Fakuma, a trade fair for the plastics processing industry
“Welcome to our World” is the slogan of the German company Montratec, which is headquartered in Niedereschach.
The company will be presenting new product highlights of their intelligent automation and transport system Montrac on the international trade fair Fakuma (from 16 to 20 October 2018 in Friedrichshafen/Germany).
The intra-logistic system Montrac is purely designed and engineered for efficiency enhancement. Particular the revolutionary technology of the Shuttle Carrier and the features of the new SmartRouter-generation are setting innovative milestones in the field of process automation and intra-logistics.
“Efficiency is the key to success and can be achieved utilizing new technologies in process automation,” says Sven Worm, chairman of the board of Montratec (pictured below).
“We are presenting intelligent automation solutions for plastics processing, interlinking the industrial production and logistics processes.
“New products and enhanced developments of the automation and transport system Montrac will be highlighted during this year‘s trade fair Fakuma.”
On the Fakuma, the world’s leading technical event for industrial plastics processing, Montratec showcases their future-oriented solutions on a 120 square meter booth in hall A5, stand A5-5205.
“To inform trade visitors about the flexible and versatile applications of Montrac, we will install a complete simulated intra-logistics loop on the booth and present the standard components in use with an Arburg injection molding machine,” Worm says.
“To present our advanced process automation in a most realistic set-up, also the shuttle carrier will be integrated in the transportation process.
“Our latest development, the self-propelling Shuttle Carrier, is a groundbreaking solution for the entire plastics industry.
”For the first time, it is now possible to individually interrupt the monorail system loop for free space, transport routes, and passages.
“We offer an optimized customer-specific system layout for customers with extremely limited installation spaces.”
In addition, and for the very first time, the new SmartRouter-generation, the intelligent system control center of Montrac, will be presented.
Worm says: “The new SmartRouter enables minimum production cycles, maximal reliability, and highest flexibility.”
Montratec defines itself as a high-tech company and pioneer of industry 4.0.
“We intensively invest in research & development as well as in continuously improvement programs, aiming for new industry standards for setting the benchmark with Montrac,” Worm says.
Examples of the broad range of applications Montrac has to offer to the plastics industry include, for example:
- production of car headlights with injection molding technology;
- manufacture of medical products like contact lenses;
- or plastic containers and plastic tubes for medical applications in the laboratory technology.
The self-propelling “Shuttle Carrier” can be considered as a “connecting robot”. With the support of integrated sensors it recognizes his route on the floor and drives at a speed of up to 25 meters/min.
A height-adjustable track on top carries transport shuttles, either empty or with cargo of up to 50 kilogram, from one workstation to another. Charge stations at each docking site permanently empower the “Shuttle Carrier”.
The low space requirements of Montrac result from combining electrical track switches, crossings, very tight radii (of 220 millimeters), overcoming gradient angles of up to 12 degrees, and integrated lifting elements.
“The modular structure of Montrac enables both a continuous adaption to changed processes and future system expansions,” Worm says.
The different autonomous controlled transport shuttles move independently on the monorail and communicate via infrared with both the workstations and the route:
- the Montrac Shuttle MSH4 carries any materials or workpieces up to 30 kg;
- the Montrac Shuttle MSH5 optionally transports up to 50 kg – both shuttle types move up to a speed of 55 m/min;
- the new generation of Montrac Shuttle MSH5 has an optimized drive concept for increased stability and force transmission on the Montrac rail;
- the five beam sensor module of each shuttle controls and supervises cornering (curve control) as well as driving backwards (direction control).
“Due to an optimized sensor module, a larger detection area is seen and the supervision of bigger workpieces is possible,“ says Worm. “In addition we are maximizing the security of employees on the shop floor as the five beam sensor module detects an approaching person or obstacle to stop the shuttle and prevent collisions.”
The Montrac Cleanroom Shuttle MSH4 CR is specially developed for industrial sectors with extremely high hygiene regulations. It drives up to 30 m/min and allows loads up to 30 kg.
Due to low-maintenance components and extremely low particle emissions, the Montrac cleanroom shuttle has been certified by the Fraunhofer Institute for production in cleanroom classes ISO 5 and 7 (FED STD 209E equivalent: classes 100 and 10,000).
It is used in the manufacturing of sensitive products. For example, in the computer, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and medical industries as well as in the laboratory sector.
“The high-tech control system of Montrac enables each shuttle to be available at the right time and at the right place. With this our technology can boost performance and increase production throughout as well as efficiency,“ Worm emphasizes. All shuttles are equipped with permanent onboard power supply.
If necessary, each shuttle can individually be removed or replaced without stopping the entire system.
“On the Fakuma trade fair our overall ambition is to convince by presenting cutting-edge technologies, designed to deliver advanced solutions for increased efficiency in the process automation of the plastics industry,” says Worm.
