Smarter Vertical Lift Module Storage

In modern warehouses, space is becoming increasingly limited. This creates a constant challenge: how to store more goods safely while ensuring fast, accurate retrieval. But when saving space comes at the cost of performance, efficiency often suffers. That’s why leading logistics operators are turning to smarter, quieter solutions that not only optimise space but also enhance overall performance.

Setting a new standard for Vertical Lift Modules

One recent Megadyne customer set a clear objective: to develop a next-generation vertical warehouse capable of reducing occupied space by up to 90%, while maintaining the same storage capacity. Additional goals included lowering energy consumption and improving both speed and reliability during goods retrieval.

With nearly seventy years of experience in storage and material handling systems, the customer, a company specialised in designing and constructing vertical automated warehouses, turned to Megadyne to help optimise operations. Already in the design phase of a new solution, the OEM sought to reduce the footprint of vertical storage modules while enhancing operational efficiency.

The problem: chain drive limitations

The customer’s previous solution used chain drives to move shelves, a system that came with significant drawbacks:
• Excessive noise
• Dirt accumulation
• Constant lubrication requirements
• Limited precision
• Slower operating speeds
• Frequent maintenance needs

These issues disrupted operations, reduced uptime, and created a noisy, less efficient environment – far from ideal in high-performance warehousing.

Solution: The QST system

To overcome these limitations, the OEM partnered with Megadyne to implement the innovative QST (Quiet, Self-Tracking) System. A quiet, high-performance alternative to chains and standard straight-tooth profiles, the QST 14 M pitch is designed for heavy-duty applications requiring maximum torque transmission and durability, like warehouse automation.

The results were immediately evident: “This solution offered a significant reduction in noise levels, required less maintenance, and remained highly resistant to heavy loads. With high torque capacity and positive engagement in bi-directional movement, the QST technology provided the precision and speed necessary for optimal warehouse performance,” said a spokesperson.

Beyond boosting performance, this solution contributed to a quieter, cleaner, and more energy-efficient warehouse environment. What’s included in the QST System? The system includes belts, pulleys, and a clamp, all engineered to ensure optimal performance:
• Maximum compatibility
• Secure installation
• Minimal risk of operational errors

Download the full story: Delve into the full case study to explore how this high-performance solution set a new benchmark for vertical lift module systems.

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Low Noise Transmission Belt

 

Low Noise Transmission Belt

At a recent event, Megadyne showcased their new Quiet, Self-Tracking (QST) System— an alternative to traditional straight tooth profiles offering efficient conveying.

Engineered to address the critical challenges faced by manufacturers and operations managers in logistics and material handling operations, the QST System delivers improved noise reduction, more compact transmission, energy efficiency, and operational reliability.

QST profile VS Standard straight tooth profile

Luca Zironda, Global ISM Material Handling & Automation Power Transmission Expert at Megadyne, explains, “Traditional systems with standard straight tooth profiles often come with compromises: persistent noise, energy inefficiencies, and tracking requirements. The QST System addresses these challenges directly, offering a quieter, more efficient solution.”

“One of the standout features of the Megadyne QST system,” Luca explains, “is its advanced tooth design, which optimises power transmission”, enabling, “a more compact transmission while minimising energy loss.”

By reducing vibrations and noise levels, the system creates significantly quieter and more efficient operations, not only enhancing the working environment but also leading to reduced energy consumption, directly impacting both the bottom line and sustainability goals.

Benefits for the workforce: a quieter, safer environment

Megadyne claim drastically reduced sound levels improving the impact of noise on workers’ well-being, creating a more comfortable and less disruptive environment. They believe that the reduction may even be so significant that ear protection could become unnecessary even with high-speed high-load intralogistics applications.

Operational benefits: reduced downtime and maintenance time

The new system has a self-tracking and low-maintenance design to which Megadyne claim eliminates the need for constant adjustments and frequent repairs, leading to long-term savings, with less wear on the belts, extended service life, and fewer inspections. The result to which would be reduced downtime, more reliable operations, and significant maintenance cost reductions.

Business benefits: lowering energy costs and waste

From a business perspective, the reduction in conveyor energy consumption provided by the Megadyne QST system is said to be transformative. By operating more efficiently, this system helps businesses cut down on their energy costs while simultaneously reducing their carbon footprint. This results in more sustainable operations, aligning with modern industrial demands for performance and environmental responsibility.

Commitment to efficiency

“The Megadyne QST system exemplifies how innovation can drive operational improvement across multiple levels,” says Luca Zironda. “From reducing noise and energy consumption to enhancing operational efficiency and lowering maintenance costs, the Megadyne QST system transforms how logistics businesses operate.”

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[Podcast] Adapting to Industry 4.0: Intralogistics Automation

A Convenient Belt for Parcel Sortation

Parcel sortation facilities often have short belts installed in difficult-to-reach locations, where it is often tricky and hazardous to bring splicing tools. Easy and fast replacement of the belt is difficult because it’s often required to disassemble half the conveyor to conduct the installation.
Changing the type or location of the belt is not an answer. If you use the correct solutions, within minutes you can have the belt running again.

Less downtime, more productivity

Ziplink® belt, designed by Ammeraal Beltech, combines cover materials with a structured link mesh, which can be spliced at any length and joined with one single pin. As there is no splice area, there are also no weaker points in the whole belt, no extra thickness spots, or metal parts to damage machineries and goods. The belt is strong and lasts long.

Moreover, its unique mesh structure allows for convenient splicing without special tools, reducing downtime and increasing productivity. Any incident which leads to unplanned downtime can be quickly managed without special tools or external maintenance services, ensuring that your production speed will not slow down due to prolonged maintenance.

Where should it be used?

Ziplink® belt can be utilized in applications such as gapping, live roller, strip merge, general and incline transport, and high-speed merging. Many ZipLink® users find they can reduce the time and personnel required to change the belt by over 50%. Are you among those who want to increase your production time and minimize downtime?

read more

ZipLink belts help reduce downtime

 

New Titanium Power Transmission Belt

‘Titanium’ is Megadyne’s new Power Transmission Belt. A flagship, high-performance product, it aims to deliver a new level of performance for synchronous timing belt drive applications.

The combination of materials and belt design used to create ‘Titanium’ have been tested against industry-leading belt brands and proven to deliver outstanding results.

“The new belt design surpasses the current industries’ offerings with carbon cords, unique cross-linked elastomer construction, and a new low-friction self-lubricating tooth facing. However, one of the most important features is that the belt is anti-static,” says Anna Villalta, Global R&D Manager of Rubber Power Transmission Belts.

Power Transmission Belt

The belt’s anti-static features, high-strength cords and wide temperature range make ‘Titanium’ the right choice for high-performance needs across a broad range of industries and applications such as HVAC, Material Handling & Logistics, Agriculture, Wood, Marble & Heavy industry, Textile, Machine Tools, Oil & Gas, Fin Fan.

Megadyne is a member of AMMEGA – a global company located in 40 countries. AMMEGA provides advanced and high-quality belting solutions for over 20 different industries, including global logistics, food production, packaging, material handling and construction.

Successful material handling systems require many different components to achieve efficient results. Material handling systems assist with sorting products in distribution centres. They are highly automated to optimize the productivity and efficiency of a variety of operations. Properly implemented and well-designed material handling solutions reduce operational costs and improve services for a wide range of businesses.

The experts at Megadyne continue to keep pace with the rapid developments in the material handling industry. As a result, we have expanded our selection of conveyor and polyurethane timing belts to meet this industry’s specific requirements and overcome its various challenges. The latest in our line of top-quality products is Megalinear QST, which offers perfect tracking, positive drive, and minimal noise.

Applications that benefit from our innovative solutions include:

Automated Storage Retrieval System (ASRS)
Large Warehouse and Distribution centers use computer aided technology to move and store small and large goods being inventoried. Megadyne high strength synchronous belts are used in both single and double mast fixed aisle lift systems,as well as on gantry cranes and carousel systems.

Transport Platform
As part of the ASRS systems, transport platforms are used to shuttle the goods being stored from the lifting apparatus to the storage rack. Timing belts with high friction, wear resistant covers are used to telescope products into the dedicated storage location.

Offloading & Delivery Conveyors
Offloading and delivery conveyors are typically fitted with at belts, however multiple path polyurethane timing and rubber belts with high friction covers are also common. Special cover materials are available on belts used where accumulation occurs.

Diverters
In today’s warehousing and distribution environments, offloading of product for specific fulfillment needs can be accomplished with high friction belt right angle diverters. Starting with a base synchronous belt, we offer a broad range of high friction cover surfaces. From Megalinear joined polyurethane synchronous belts and Mega ex truly endless polyurethane synchronous belts with TPU smooth covers, to rubber synchronous belts with homogeneous covers, along with specialty cover materials like DuraTaq® high friction.

Pallet Conveyor
Pallet Handling Conveyors are designed to move light to heavy loads in a precise, flexible manner. Used in warehouse picking and delivery systems or in assembly operations in a number of manufacturing environments. Starting with a base synchronous belt, we offer a broad range of high friction cover surfaces.

Roller Conveyor
Timing belts or poly-v rib belts are commonly used on roller conveyors. On the external side of the roller, power transmission belts deliver power from the motor to the main driven conveyor roller. From this stage rollers are interconnected by either timing belts or poly-v rib belts, some of which can be produced with elastic-stretch properties.

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