Tag: forklifts|IFOY|materials handling

Ahead of this Thursday’s IFOY Award winner announcement in Dortmund, we turn our attention to the STILL EXH 16 pallet truck.

The EXH 14-20 Plus series consists of hand-guided low lift pallet trucks as well as derivative products with additional lift for order picking applications and comes with a unique tiller head with integrated display in two versions. The special tiller head design enables intuitive handling for every operator.

IFOY category: Warehouse Truck “lowlifter”

IFOY Test Report

With the EXH 14-20 Plus series, STILL introduces the latest edition of its electric pallet truck range. The development of the new series was focused on the operator. The operating concept is completely revised and the EXH 14-20 Plus series now features a unique tiller head with integrated display in two versions. The so-called MMI (Man-Machine-Interface) is the interface between the operator and the truck and thus the linchpin in daily operation.

The EXH 14-20 Plus series includes several pedestrian stackers with a load capacity of 1.4 to 2.0 tonnes. The IFOY stacker is an EXH 16 with a load capacity of 1.6 tonnes. The integrated lithium-ion battery enables up to 80mm shorter front dimensions and significantly smaller turning radii and aisle widths. The L2 dimension is just 429mm. Thanks to the compact dimensions, the driver retains optimum visibility. Even in confined spaces, such as retail stores. In addition, the compact dimensions improve the manoeuvrability of the truck, which is now even easier to operate.

EXH forklifts are equipped with mechanical steering as standard. Despite this mechanical steering, the long and low-lying tiller enable easy operation. During the IFOY test, the power and speed of the newcomer were convincing. The truck has a high acceleration capacity, both without and with load. The driving speed is quite snappy at 6.1km/h. Those who want to work more quietly and economically can double-click the turtle button to select turtle mode or STILL’s Blue-Q optimisation program.

The unique design of the tiller head is a true eye-catcher. The operating elements have been given a new and modern design. Extra-large buttons support intuitive operation, no matter how big one’s hands are. Even when wearing work gloves, simple and effective one-handed operation remains a breeze for both left- and right-handed operators. STILL plans to use the new controls in future trucks as well. There, the concept will bring additional benefits, such as even better proportional control. This is less relevant for electric pallet trucks.

The EXH 16 has three driving modes as standard: turtle mode, Blue Q and high performance. For each mode, the most important information is automatically displayed on the brand-new colour display integrated into the tiller head. This means that the display follows the driver at every turn and provides a clear view of all important data under all conditions. This means that the driver is always informed about the battery charge status, the operating hours or the respective driving program. The optional touch display (not available on the IFOY test truck) revolutionises operation. Drivers are used to operating smartphones by touch these days, and the touch display now bridges the gap to equipment with stock technology.

Smart fork markings make forklift positioning easier and contribute to high productivity. For even smoother operation  ̶  also on uneven floors and around obstacles  ̶  the pallet truck can be equipped with three running wheels in the fork tip. In doing so, OptiSpeed automatically adjusts the truck’s speed to the angle of the tiller. Safe manoeuvring is thus possible under all conditions. The standard crawl speed button also enables safe operation even in the tightest of spaces. An active optional foot stop ensures that the pallet truck automatically changes direction on contact with the feet. This means that the operator always remains unharmed.

IFOY test verdict: The EXH 14-20 Plus series features a unique tiller head with integrated display in two versions. The special design of the tiller head enables intuitive operation for any operator. Numerous small innovations combine to bring great progress. The compact truck is immensely powerful, fast and quiet. It is also easy to recharge between uses thanks to Li-ion technology.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: Handling goods and the internal transport of pallets includes a very wide field of application, whereby the Still EXH 16 can be seen as having great market relevance. The EXH 16 exemplifies an improvement of such products in terms of ergonomics and functionality, and it is therefore obvious that it represents a primary alternative in the market for new and replacement purchases.

Customer benefit: The Still EXH 16 offers the user more flexibility and functionality in terms of operation, field of vision and safety. Operation via the new tiller head is intuitive and comfortable for different hand sizes. The display integrated in the tiller head in two different versions provides information as well as the possibility to use different driving programs, which can be adapted to the operator on the one hand and to the transport task on the other hand, and to adjust the battery life accordingly. The very compact design through integrated Li-Ion technology leads to an improvement in manoeuvrability and ensures optimal visibility even for smaller persons.

Novelty / Innovation: The compact design together with the new functional tiller head and the resulting improvements in terms of operation and driving characteristics are undoubtedly to be regarded as new. The EXH thus shows that even in this type of vehicle, innovations have not yet come to an end.

Functionality / Type of implementation: With many details and configuration options, the EXH 16 shows that it is without doubt at the top of this vehicle class. The functionality can be ordered with several variants of design details and can thus be optimally adjusted for the customer. Moving pallets is a piece of cake with the EXH 16, while at the same time offering a high level of safety. The overall impression of the implementation on the unit appears flawless.

Verdict: The EXH 16 impresses with its outstanding further development in this vehicle class. Its market lead is significant.

Market relevance +
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation +
Functionality / Type of implementation ++
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

In the run-up to the IFOY Award ceremony in Dortmund on June 22^nd, Logistics Business features all the 2023 finalists and shares the verdict from the IFOY test conducted during the evaluation by an expert jury in March. Today’s entry is the Aisle Master OP from Combilift.

Category: Warehouse truck “highlifter”

IFOY test verdict:

Combilift is in the final of the IFOY AWARD with the Aisle Master OP, in short AME-OP. The order picking truck with articulated mast has been developed for use in narrow aisles and is available with load capacities of 1.5 to 2 tons and lift heights of up to 12.1 meters.

The concept of the Aisle Master is not new. The articulated mast truck was once introduced as an alternative to reach trucks. Thanks to its unique steering and drive system, its striking appearance is definitely advantageous in narrow aisles. Compared to the average reach truck, the aisle width can be as much as 80cm narrower. In some cases, the Aisle Master even performs his work in aisles no wider than 1.75 meters. The concept is particularly popular in the UK, but articulated mast trucks are also used elsewhere.

With the Aisle Master OP, Combilift offers a new application for this type of truck. OP stands for Order Picker, and this is exactly what the IFOY truck is designed for. Since the operator must get on and off the truck regularly to pick orders, the cab is equipped with a stand-up seat. A comfortable cushion supports the operator while driving and the high position allows a good view of the load and direction of travel.

During the test drive, it is evident that the operation of the Aisle Master takes some getting used to. Loading and unloading pallets requires both steering and driving movements. Joystick operation for driving is a combination of moving the joystick and pressing “unlock” for driving. Steering is relatively predictable thanks to the new steering system, which uses a hydraulic cylinder and chains for overall control.

The low, obstacle-free entry and exit of only 280mm allows easy and safe entry with one step on either side of the truck. Picking works faster this way than if the operator has to hop on and off from a seated position. However, to enter and exit on the right side, the joystick controls must first be raised

This multifunctional, programmable joystick control ̶ for all hydraulic functions and traction ̶ replaces the mechanical levers of the “normal” Aisle Master. The joystick is adjustable and allows a comfortable and ergonomic working position for operators of all sizes.

The display is also different. The touch display of the Aisle Master OP shows all important forklift information briefly.

IFOY test verdict: The Aisle Master OP is the first stand-up order picker with an articulated mast. The stacker can also be used as a high lift truck or reach truck in narrow aisles. However, smooth operation requires an experienced operator. In this case, effective pallet handling in very narrow aisles can be achieved with the Aisle Master.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market Relevance: The new Aisle Master OP by Combilift represents a considerable improvement compared to similar products and previous models, whereby a high market relevance is seen for the markets in which articulated forklifts are established. The change to a continuous stand-on platform in particular creates the possibility of order picking from both sides. Thus, the range of applications expands significantly, and this creates a high level of attractiveness for replacement or new purchases of such trucks.

Customer Benefit: Customers benefit from the Aisle Master OP due to its versatility of application possibilities in the narrowest of indoor and outdoor spaces. Storage and retrieval in the narrowest aisle widths from 1,750mm with the possibility of picking at the same time. Thus, the benefit also undoubtedly lies in maximising the utilisation of storage space and increasing the efficiency of storage processes.

Novelties / Innovations: The basic principle of the articulated forklift remains the same with the Aisle Master OP and is extended by the variant with a continuous standing platform as well as the new type of steering via crossed chain. The possibility of fast access from both sides and the basic possibility of order picking is a novelty for this type of industrial truck. However, truly effective order picking from different rack locations on pallets is only possible with order-picking forklifts designed directly for this purpose.

Functionality / Type of Implementation: The Aisle Master OP has a very robust and exemplary design and surprises with its high stability despite the articulated arm principle. The overall impression suggests a long service life. Storing and retrieving is very precise due to the driven front wheels in a very confined space, although some practice is required with regard to the somewhat complex operation.

Verdict: A candidate that will inspire the target group in its market.

Market relevance +
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation Ø
Functionality / Type of implementation +
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

IFOY AWARD, the world’s largest intralogistics award, is cooperating with the TRANSFER.FESTIVAL of the Digital.Hub Logistics and the Fraunhofer Institute for Logistics and Material Flow IML. The partners recently agreed to work together. Before the IFOY AWARD Night 2023 begins at 18.00 on 22nd June at Dortmunder U, IFOY AWARD finalists and festival participants will actively shape two sessions on the topics of automation and sustainability on the premises of Fraunhofer IML – following the festival motto of “make, transfer, network”.

Festival participants can choose from a total of 14 sessions – including trend topics such as blockchain or open source in logistics. A special feature will be that instead of PowerPoint slides and endless lectures, innovative, interactive formats such as debates or fish bowls await guests.

“We want to inspire knowledge transfer from science to business and vice versa,” says Anita Würmser, executive chairwoman of the IFOY AWARD jury. “That doesn’t work with a marathon lecture, but only interactively in discussion. Knowledge is required here, but also the courage to express an opinion.”

“The IFOY AWARD finalists and their customers enrich our festival programme with their deep knowledge of solutions and trends in intralogistics,” emphasises Maria Beck, Managing Director of Digital Hub Management GmbH. “At the same time, they benefit from the knowledge of our long-standing programme partners.”

The third edition of the TRANSFER.FESTIVAL will be enriched by lab tours that offer exclusive insights behind the scenes at Fraunhofer IML. Developments such as drones, exoskeletons and autonomous mobile robots (AMR) will be demonstrated. During the lunch break with live music, there will be the opportunity for intensive networking.

At 18.00, the festive IFOY AWARD Night with the 2023 finalists and invited guests from business, science, politics, and the media will start at the Dortmunder U. More than 250 invited guests from seven countries are expected to attend the celebration in the historic former brewing tower of the Dortmunder Union Brewery and on the roof terrace. During the awards ceremony, the secret will be revealed as to which of the 25 nominated devices and solutions in a total of seven categories will be awarded the “Oscar of Intralogistics”. All finalists will undergo the three-stage IFOY audit at the IFOY TEST DAYS as part of the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS on March 29 and 30 at Messe Dortmund. Afterwards, the international jury will make its decision.

 

The winners of the IFOY AWARD 2022 have been announced: at the award ceremony in the BMW Welt in Munich, representatives of Jungheinrich, Locus Robotics, Noyes Technologies, robominds, SSI SCHÄFER and SYNAOS accepted the award, also known as the “Oscar of intralogistics”, from six laudators.

A laudatory speech was held by Steffen Bersch (Chairman of the Board of the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association), Jan-Dietrich Hempel (Managing Director GARBE Industrial Real Estate), Raimund Paetzmann (Vice President Real Estate & Logistics Network Expansion at Zalando), Julia Jocher (Project Management Group7), Udo Schmidt (Managing Director Cascade Europe) and Dr Michael Nikolaides (Senior Vice President Production Network, Logistics, BMW Group).

The IFOY AWARD is considered the most important intralogistics award in the world. In 2022, 12 international companies with 14 products and solutions competed in the 10th round of the award. “10 years of the IFOY AWARD stand for 10 years of outstanding innovations,” emphasises jury chair Anita Würmser. “In 2022, the finalists have once again presented top products in the competition that will shape the future of intralogistics in the long term,” she continues.

Jungheinrich won the IFOY AWARD in the “Special Vehicle” category with its ERD 220i double-deck stacker. The truck sets new standards for a safe, optimally protected and yet super-compact electric pallet truck, judged the jury. The performance was first-class and challenged the competition, the jurors added.

The winner in the category “Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV/AMR)” was Locus Robotics with its Locus Robotics AMR Solution. The collaborative AMR, with which retailers, contract logistics companies, but also industrial companies can greatly improve their efficiency, scored points with the testers and innovation checkers due to its high degree of innovation and its high market relevance in the light of the rapidly growing online trade and the demand for cost-effective solutions to increase throughput.

A total of three young companies qualified for the final round in the “Start-up of the Year” category this year with their innovative products and solutions. The winner in the end was the Munich-based start-up Noyes Technologies with its first robotically operated, automated and highly flexible nano-logistics system Noyes Storage for urban logistics. The IFOY Innovation Checkers awarded the solution the highest possible number of points in the categories of market relevance, customer benefit, degree of innovation and functionality/type of implementation. The fact that customers from almost all industries can benefit from significantly improved space utilisation with the help of the system also impressed the test team and the jury.

For the 10th round of the global competition, the Robotics + Automation Association within the VDMA entered the “Robot” category at the IFOY AWARD 2022 as a sponsor. Here, the Munich-based company robominds won with its AI-based robobrain.NEUROS – an industrialised operating system for intelligent robotics. According to the jury, the market relevance of a manufacturer-neutral and reliable robotics operating system with support for AI-based processes can be classified as very high.

The “Integrated Warehouse Solutions” category is one of the top categories at the IFOY AWARD. In the final, SSI SCHÄFER prevailed with its IKEA Project Flat Pack Picking. With Flat Pack Picking, the company had implemented an automated and turnkey system solution for the safe and volume-optimised palletising of heavy and large items. The use of gantry robots enables the efficient handling of a very heterogeneous range of articles. The IFOY testers rated the solution as well-engineered and interesting – also for other industries.

This year’s winner in the category “Special of the Year” was SYNAOS with its SYNAOS IMS – Vehicle Localization for the complete localisation of transport vehicles. “The simple real-time localisation of all types of industrial trucks with the help of this very convincing localisation system helps customers on their way to the complete digitalisation of intralogistics,” judged the IFOY testers. In the IFOY Innovation Check, the solution scored points for its high market relevance.

The International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) AWARD honours the best intralogistics products and solutions of the year. It has established itself as an indicator of cost-effectiveness and innovation and is considered the definitive international innovation award in intralogistics due to its technical expertise. The basis for the decision is the three-stage audit – consisting of the IFOY test protocol comprising around 80 criteria, the scientific IFOY Innovation Check and the jury test. The decisive factor is that the nominees are not compared with each other, but with their competitor devices on the market.

On the occasion of the IFOY TEST DAYS, all nominees went through the IFOY test series in March at the Messe Dortmund exhibition centre. For the third year in a row, numerous potential buyers were also on site at the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS. The winners of the IFOY AWARD are chosen annually by an international jury of trade journalists – the UK is represented by Logistics Business News Editor Peter MacLeod. All IFOY test reports and Innovation Checks of all finalists can be found for free use HERE.

The IFOY AWARD is sponsored by the Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association and the Robotics + Automation Association within the VDMA. IFOY partners are Messe Dortmund and leading forklift attachment manufacturer Cascade. The IFOY AWARD’s pallet partner is CHEP, a world market leader in the pooling of pallets and containers. The logistics real estate partner is GARBE, the logistics partner is LTG. Trailer partner is Fliegl Fahrzeugbau. Event partner is the BMW Group. The IFOY organisation is based in Ismaning near Munich.

The IFOY AWARD is under the patronage of Dr. Robert Habeck, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

The application phase for the IFOY AWARD 2023 starts on August 1, 2022.

IFOY 2022 WINNERS IN BRIEF:

ERD 220i, Jungheinrich

Locus Robotics AMR Solution, Locus Robotics

Noyes Storage, Noyes Technologies

robobrain.NEUROS, robominds

IKEA Project Flat Pack Picking, SSI SCHÄFER

SYNAOS IMS – Vehicle Localization, SYNAOS