Download Satellite Storage.

Satellite Storage.
Frequently asked questions.
How fast does the Smart Cart satellite unit travel?
A Smart Cart satellite unit will travel at 60m per min or 1.0m per sec with a load and 1.2m per second
without a load. To provide a guide regarding how long a single retrieval or putaway task will take for an Australia
pallet once the cart is located in into the channel, the following table is provided:
5 pallets deep
10 pallets deep
20 pallets deep
≈ 15 s
≈ 26 s
≈ 50 s
What sort of productivity benefits are compared to other types of storage?
As a guide when comparing the Satellite storage to conventional block stacking and drive-in storage,
the productivity benefit is at least 3-4 Smart Cart satellite tasks to one (1) drive-in fork lift task. This is achieved
through a combination:
• concurrent activity using multiple Smart Cart satellite units, and
• reduction in task travel distance and time with the operator working only at the ‘pick’ face
with Satellite storage.
Flow on improvements from satellite usage include, productivity, traffic safety management and reduced
asset damage.
What is the heaviest pallet a Smart Cart satellite unit will move?
The heaviest pallet a Smart Cart satellite unit will move is 2000kg using an eight (8) wheel unit. For most
installations, a four (4) wheel unit will be used which has a load limit of 1500kg.
What type of pallets can I use in Satellite storage?
Storage and Smart Cart satellite units can be configured for Australian, New Zealand, Euro or any other pallet
types. Storage and Smart Cart satellite units are however specific by pallet type and cannot be interchanged or
work across different pallet types.
How long does the battery pack last?
Dexion recommends using the battery to 70% of its capacity. The Smart Cart satellite unit continually monitors
battery charge and will indicate to the operator when the battery capacity threshold is reached. Under ambient
conditions, a battery will typically have sufficient charge for a shift of 8 hours. In chilled or freezer environments,
battery charge will be marginally lessened.
Battery use to 70% of capacity is recommended to extend the battery’s operating life. A battery that is properly
cared for will last between 3-5 years.
How long does a battery pack take to charge and how long does it take to change
batteries between Smart Cart satellite units?
A battery will require between 3-4 hours to achieve maximum charge. There is no risk of over-charging.
The batteries are maintenance-free and hermetically sealed. To change a battery between Smart Cart satellite
units, it will take 3-4 minutes.
Will a Smart Cart satellite unit stop when in the middle of a lane when the battery
is exhausted?
Before the battery is exhausted, a control lamp on the remote control will light up to indicate that low voltage
has been detected and the battery requires charging. The Smart Cart satellite unit will complete the work cycle
and auto-park at the end of the retrieval end of the storage channel. No further work cycles can be started,
hence preventing a mid-channel failure of the unit.
Can a loaded pallet and Smart Cart satellite unit be carried on a forklift together?
Carrying both a pallet and the Smart Cart satellite unit simultaneously on the forklift tynes is not recommended
as the pallet is not locked into the forklift tynes. The pallet would simply be resting on the Smart Cart satellite
unit with no restraint, hence posing a significant safety risk. Dexion therefore recommends when the requirement
for re-positioning a pallet and a Smart Cart satellite unit arises, the repositioning of the Smart Cart satellite unit
and pallet shall be undertaken separately.
Will the Smart Cart satellite unit work in chilled and freezer environments?
Yes. The Smart Cart satellite units have been designed operate in a freezer environment as cold as -30°C.
Will the Smart Cart satellite unit run into another pallet?
All Smart Cart satellite units are fitted with anti-collision sensors. The sensors will prevent the unit from colliding
into another pallet and the end stop at the end of the storage channel.
What is the servicing requirement of the Smart Cart satellite unit?
All the operator is required to do is clean and dry sensors with a cloth once a week. Under a service
agreement, Dexion will inspect and undertake preventative maintenance after each 6 monthly interval from the
time of commissioning.
How many Smart Cart satellite units will I need?
As a minimum, at least two (2) units are recommended to provide some redundancy and to maximise activity
through concurrent putaway and retrieval tasking. The optimised number of Smart Cart satellite units required
will depended on the number of tasks needed to be carried out over a given peak period and the storage
configuration. Dexion will recommended the number of Smart Cart satellite units and battery packs required
based on the solution proposed, task requirements and operating time envelope.
What is the lead-time for a Satellite storage solution?
From the time of order placement, anticipate a lead-time of 10-13 weeks for delivery and commissioning of
the solution.
What does the pallet condition need to be like?
Pallets need to be in reasonable condition with no trailing leader boards.
Are the maintenance costs lower when compared to Drive In Racking?
Yes, as the fork lift is not entering the rack there is less risk of accidental damage to the racking structure.
Can conventional Dexion racking be converted to a Satellite storage configuration?
Yes, however, contact should be made with Dexion in the first instance for recommendations.