Swift solution
July 1st 2005

When speciality chemicals company Clariant wanted to replace an old AGV system at its Leeds warehouse with a modern conveyor system within a two-week window, Univeyor rose to the challenge.

Clariant was keen to retain its WMS, so the new control system had to interface with the existing WMS, with the conveyor control PLC mimicking communication telegrams used by the AGVs to talk to the WMS.

The new system includes a transfer car, servicing in-feed and out-feed conveyors on six existing cranes. Laser positioning tells the car its location and it is controlled by a profibus node that communicates via an optical link.

The system has introduced new goods-in and goods-out spurs, both accumulating chain conveyors, and a pair of manual pick stations.

Control of the crane conveyors from the AGV system has also been taken over by the new system.

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