Efficient Automation with Fully Electric Pallet Systems
mk adds to its Versamove pallet system with fully electric functional units for efficient and environmentally friendly process automation.
Pallet systems optimise production and assembly processes by transporting products consistently and stably on pallets. They reliably interlink the process stations in a production line, where they can stop and position the pallets precisely, rotate them for better access or move them to neighbouring conveying paths. These handling tasks are performed by special functional units.
Up to now, these functional units were predominantly pneumatically driven. However, since pneumatics is one of the most expensive forms of energy, it is increasingly becoming the focus of optimisation and efficiency measures and is even being excluded from many specification sheets. Fully electric function modules that can partly or fully replace the pneumatic units present a good alternative. Since you then require only electricity and no additional compressed air, your infrastructure is streamlined significantly.
Versamove standard electric
The Versamove modular pallet system can be used to transfer pallets in virtually all automation and material flow applications. The system comes in three different weight and size classes (Standard, Plus and Ultra), which means it can provide the right solution for every application. For handling tasks, Versamove offers function modules such as the HQZ lift-and-transfer conveyor, the HDE lift-and-rotate unit, the PE lift-and-locate unit and the SU/SD stopper.
With the smallest and most compact version, Versamove standard, the functional units are also now available in fully electric variants, which completely eliminates the need for a compressed air supply. This version can be retrofitted into existing Versamove systems with ease. Depending on whether you already have pneumatic infrastructure, it may make more sense to replace the modules with electric ones gradually or in one go. The electric units can be used to move pallets weighing up to 40 kg with dimensions of up to 400 x 400 mm as well.
The use of fully electric function modules in the Versamove electric both streamlines your infrastructure, because there is no longer any need for compressed air, and increases energy efficiency. Electric drives convert energy to movement directly without much loss, which saves on operating costs. In addition, the fully electric modules are highly reliable and low-maintenance, which reduces production costs in the long term. The precise control of speed and position means it can be flexibly adapted to process requirements.
“Air can become a really expensive commodity in industrial production. Electrical components may result in higher procurement costs, but they provide a whole range of benefits,” explains Marco Steinwand, Head of Product Management at mk. “In comparison to pneumatic units, electric modules are very low-maintenance and help to reduce the production costs for each part significantly in the long term.”
A summary of the benefits of the Versamove standard electric
You can quickly set up a fully electric pallet circulation system thanks to the centralised power supply and controller and the pre-prepared cables, keeping production downtimes to a minimum.
Electric units are very energy-efficient, because they convert energy into movement directly without the typical leakages and pressure drops associated with pneumatic systems. This can result in significant savings.
Furthermore, electromechanical drives are extremely low-maintenance and have a long service life, reducing maintenance costs in comparison to pneumatic systems and increasing availability.
Another benefit is the flexible control. Electric actuators enable speed and position to be controlled precisely, which provides extra flexibility for process control.
In addition, electric drives run quietly, which helps improve the working environment and comfort for staff.
Finally, since they consume less energy and dispense with compressed air compressors, they release less CO2, which reduces the carbon footprint of your system and makes it more environmentally friendly.
