The vertical lift module (VLM) is said to be the most flexible storage system on the market today. It can be altered and adapted as business processes change. A VLM is an enclosed system of vertically arranged trays, controls and an extraction platform that delivers goods to a workstation. There are five features of a Shuttle® VLM that make it the most flexible storage device around.
- Modular Design-VLM’s have a modular design allowing the location, height, and configuration to be easily changed as an organizations business evolves.
- Dynamic Tray Allocation-CubeStar®technology combines both hardware and controls using dynamic storage allocation to maximize the storage density within the unit. Upon put away, the height of each tray is measured to the nearest inch, allowing the VLM to determine the trays exact storage height requirement. The system determines the best position in the machine based on the least amount of spaced required.
- Multiple Access Openings – The VLM can be equipped with several access points to link work zones together and maximize productivity. With multiple access openings in one unit, facilities can receive materials on one level and extract them on different work zone levels, eliminating the need to have to deliver materials from one floor to another. For example, workers on the third floor can access goods stored within the VLM by workers on the first floor, eliminating traveling up and down stairs all day.
- Intelligent Tray Storage- The intelligent tray feature of the VLM improves the efficiency of a picking operation. The VLM automatically tracks the number of times specific trays are accessed by the operator. Trays accessed most frequently are stored closest to the VLM’s access opening for faster delivery, decreasing wait time and increasing operator productivity.
- Dual Tray Delivery-VLMs also allow for dual tray delivery to speed picking efficiencies. While an operator is working to retrieve a part from a tray currently in the access opening, the VLM extractor moves behind the closed shutter doors to pre-position the next tray required for picking. When the operator is finished with the current tray, the VLM delivers the next tray waiting behind the shutter doors before retrieving the current tray. This eliminates the operator wait time between picks. Pre-position picks keeps the VLM one step ahead of the operator, something that isn’t possible with other picking systems.
- For more information visit www.KardexRemstar.com.
