Features/Benefits Provided: Provided roll performance data throughout roll life Allowed press controls to select specific rolls for specific press towers Leveled personnel staffing for roll preparation Gained full automation after roll unloading from delivery vehicles

A large Canadian Conglomerate, involved in all types of commercial and newspaper printing and distribution, started a unique business by developing, building, and managing highly efficient printing facilities. After securing a long-term lease from one of their customer's, the Conglomerate chose to build a new highly automated newspaper printing plant.

For the project, the material handling supplier provided a fully automated roll storage and delivery-to-press system. This unique 1 aisle system is more process machine than material handling system; it runs along side of a new Goss/Heidelberg Mainstream press.

Rolls of paper from loading docks are introduced into the system on input conveyor. Rolls are conveyed to a turntable, then rotated in front of a fixed scanner that captures important bar-coded roll data. Next, rolls are down-ended to the bilge position (core horizontal) for storage. Prior to each day's production run, the rolls, weighing up to 3000 pounds, are readied at 2 prep stations for the next press run. Prepared rolls are returned to the rack until called by the press. During the press run, the high speed Storage and Retrieval Machine (SRM) delivers rolls onto Automated Reel Loading (ARL) transfer cars which feed the press units.

The double deep Unit Load SRM handles all roll movement including storage of newly received rolls, supply of rolls to the stripping stations, and time critical delivery-to-press functions. The shuttle forks are designed to gently handle prepped rolls without damaging the paster pattern.

The roll storage rack consists of a single 4-tier high aisle that provides approximately 485 storage cells. Roll sizes are up to 50" in diameter and 55" wide. All rolls sit on a special cradle to support its full length. The freestanding rack system runs along the press and provides openings for the ARL dolly conveyor. The rack on one side of the aisle is designed to store 2 rolls per opening.

is a Proud Member of the AS/RS Product Section of Material Handling Industry of America

P. O. Box 1512
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1512
Toll Free: 1-800-HKSYSTEMS
hkinfo@hksystems.com
www.hksystems.com