SECTORS

Metalmeccanica Alba, with headquarters in San Zenone degli Ezzelini (TV) is specialized in the design and production of components for furniture. Its products, which are designed and manufactured in Italy, are marketed and sold all over the world.

The company is continuously searching for innovative, efficient and functional solutions that satisfy current market demands and anticipate the future needs of the sector.

Problem

Metalmeccanica Alba’s search for innovation also includes the management of their warehouse. Optimized and flexible logistics are recognized by the company as being one of the keys to success.

For this reason, the company decided to invest in an automation project aimed above all at compensating for the lack of space in their existing building, which was becoming increasingly less suited to the large volume of orders.

Solution

Automha designed and constructed for Metalmeccanica Alba a high-bay warehouse consisting of 2 triple-width stacking cranes with telescopic forks.

The warehouse handles 5 types of load that range from a minimum size of 800×1,200 up to 1,480×1,360. The system is versatile and has been designed so that in the future the storage capacity can be doubled without having to radically transform the handling system.

Particularly interesting is the use of a very unique “fan” photocell system, which controls the movements of the load at any one moment so that it can intervene in the event of outsized loads on the pallets on the stacker crane. Seats are stored on the pallets, which have legs that are inclined to project from the edge of the pallet during transport.

This clever solution was developed by Automha together with the customer according to their needs. Thanks to the photocells, everything is carefully monitored.

The warehouse is set below ground by 6 metres, rising above ground to 12.5 metres: a total of 18.5 metres. The entire handling system is flush with the floor and includes 3 slat conveyors for picking with pallet trucks from all sides, not only the front.

Picking is managed in a dedicated bay. The storage capacity of the warehouse is 2,500 pallets, for 50 combined cycles/h.

Advantages

The introduction of the new warehouse resulted in an increase in storage capacity, enabling Metalmeccanica Alba to fulfil orders more efficiently. The entire warehouse is a reflection of Automha’s attention to detail and search for innovation, which was very much appreciated by the customer who found the company to be an excellent supplier and in line with its needs.