Orbiter

Automatic racking is an inevitable trend in the era of Industry 4.0. Nowadays, there is an increasing shift towards automation to reduce manual labor. The introduction of Orbiter Racking is currently one of the most notable solutions for automated goods storage. What is special about this automated robotic orbiter racking system? Let's delve deeper into its structure, applications, features, and consider whether it's worth investing in.

Introduction to Orbiter Rack System

What is an Orbiter Rack?

The Orbiter Racking is an automated robotic system – known as the Radio Shuttle Racking System. It is a premium goods automatic warehouse racking system that utilizes a robotic (orbiter) shuttle to transport goods in or out of pallet racking. This system merges modern engineering technology with smart pallet racking to free up human labor and significantly enhance productivity.

Other common names for this system include: orbiter robot rack, radio orbiter rack, robot shuttle rack, radio shuttle, automated robot rack, Schaefer Orbiter System, shuttle rack system and orbiter pallet shuttle.

Besides the remote-controlled orbiter robot racks, Eurorack also offers a highly modern orbiter wifi rack controlled remotely via tablets connected to wifi.

The goods in and out processing time is approximately 35m/minute, which is five times faster than using a forklift to retrieve goods from deep within the racks.

Specifications of the Orbiter Robot Rack

• Depth up to 40m.
• Optimized warehouse ceiling height up to 15m.
• Loading speed: 35m/min.
• Movement speed of the wifi orbiter robot: 70m/min.
• Acceleration and deceleration: 0.5m/s².
• Made from high-quality steel.
• Electrostatic paint for oxidation resistance.

Applications of Orbiter Racking in Specific Industries

The orbiter rack, also known as the wifi orbiter rack, is commonly used in heavy industry warehouses, particularly in sectors such as food and beverage, bottled products, canned goods, food processing, cold storage, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

The larger the capacity for continuous loading and unloading, the more the advantages of the orbiter robot rack are evident, especially in cold storage environments where temperatures are consistently below -30°C, making it an ideal automated storage racking system.

Features of the Automated Orbiter Racking System

Outstanding Productivity

Provides continuous, fast, and easy access and processing of goods in and out of the warehouse with the Wifi Orbiter Robot. The robot receives commands from a wifi-connected control panel or remote to transfer palletized goods in or out of the storage racks. Particularly useful in low temperature environments or when storing heavy goods at high speeds.

Improved Quality

The simple design combined with a modern Orbiter Robot adapts well to various pallet types and high-load capacities, meeting the needs for storing large volumes of goods.

Automatically transfers goods into the racks, reducing the incidence of forklift collisions with the rack frames or palletized goods, thus preserving the safety of goods.

Automation

Through automated robots (shuttle orbiters) that move pallets into or out of storage positions, the orbiter rack system reduces the time forklifts need to move deep into the racks while still accessing 100% of palletized goods. Thus, goods transportation in and out of the warehouse is both safe and time-efficient, reducing labor costs and simplifying management.

Space Optimization

By combining racks with robots, the aisle width can be minimized to maximize the storage system footprint, allowing for storage of more goods.

Operational Principle of the Orbiter Rack

Based on the integration of automatic robot technology and storage systems to optimize goods storage density. Not only does it utilize warehouse space effectively, but it also enhances productivity compared to other industrial rack types.

Here is the detailed operational principle of the orbiter robot rack system:

• Automatic Robot Activation: This process is activated by a remote control or a wifi-connected device (only available with the wifi orbiter model). Upon receiving commands from the remote control device, the orbiter robot is activated and moves along the guide rails to the entry position of the rack to prepare for receiving the pallet.
• After the forklift places the pallet on the rack, the orbiter robot lifts the pallet and automatically moves it to the interior storage position. Once there, the orbiter robot places the pallet in the storage position and completes its operation.
• Similarly, for outgoing goods: Upon receiving a command, the robot automatically retrieves the pallet from the rack by moving along the guide rails to the outgoing position. Here, the forklift is already prepared and proceeds to remove the pallet from the rack.

To process goods automatically, the orbiter rack needs to have the following basic structure:

The Eurorack orbiter rack design includes 6 basic details:

1. Upright frames: Bearing for the whole system.
2. Beam: Connects between two load-bearing column frames. Is where pallets and rack guide rails are placed.
3. Guide rail: installed in the inside of the shelf, where the automatic rack (robot shuttle) is placed.
4. Orbiter robot (shuttle): Automatically imports, exports, and moves pallets of goods moving in the warehouse racking system.
5. Support rail: Fix the guide rail.
6. Guard: Keeps the rack from sliding off the shelf.

Comparison of Wifi Orbiter Rack with Traditional Storage Rack Systems

Compared to traditional goods storage systems, the orbiter robot rack has the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

• High-speed automatic goods in and out. Thus, productivity is high, saving time moving goods deep within the racks or out from the racks to the forklift.
• No worries about collisions between palletized goods or forklifts and the storage racks. Ensures goods are always safe and stable on the rack.
• High durability. With a modern design, standard structure, and high-quality electrostatic painted metal, the automated rack operates durably over a long period.
• Effective management. The tight software management system reduces inventory time. Allows for large storage density, reduces aisle space, thereby maximizing storage space. At the same time, enhances labor intensity without requiring as much manual labor as before.
• Construction time is comparable to other warehouse rack systems.
• Especially, Eurorack's orbiter robot can be integrated on many industrial storage rack types like: selective racks, drive-in racks, double deep racks, etc. Eurorack also offers a robot shuttle - orbiter robot rental service.

Disadvantages

• High initial investment cost, so choosing a reputable supplier is necessary.
• Not all warehouses can install the automated orbiter racking system. It depends on several factors. Therefore, a real survey is necessary before installation.
• High cost for replacing the orbiter robot. It is necessary to operate according to the handover instructions. Maintain and service as recommended by the manufacturer to extend the life of the automated robot rack.

Future Outlook of the Automated Orbiter Rack in the Vietnamese Warehouse Industry

The trend of simplifying, increasing productivity, and labor intensity is currently a core requirement. The Orbiter - Automatic Robot Shuttle is gradually becoming the optimal method to maximize storage space and increase safety in warehouses.

Economic Benefits of Investing in Orbiter Racking

1. Safety – Productivity

2. Optimal workshop area – maximizing goods storage density

3. Flexible and can be expanded when necessary

4. Better goods preservation

5. Improved warehouse management

6. Quick response to the market

7. Sustainable investment

8. Increases brand value and customer satisfaction

9. Creates the most optimal work process

Images of some Orbiter Rack - Radio shuttle projects carried out by Eurorack