Efficient stockpiling in limited space

Those who perform daily mechanical maintenance work in the processing industry are also best off keeping as many components as possible close at hand. Storing all possible parts for customers and raw materials for production, however, requires the necessary space. Vinck bvba and All-In Parts from Dendermonde therefore invested in two automated warehouses type Hänel Lean-Lift® for the storage of parts and long pipes respectively, a YOU-STORE plate warehouse and a mezzanine for the warehouse, as well as an automated Rotomat® warehouse elevator for the store space. Manager Gert Vinck called on DDD Technics for each of these solutions, all spread over a period of just two years.

When Gert Vinck started his one-man business as an installer, repairer and maintenance specialist of mechanical installations in 1998, he had already accumulated a lot of useful experience in the industry. In his spare time, he also tinkered continuously with the machines of farmers in the region. 

"Today we have become a regular partner of many slaughterhouses, meat processing companies, bakeries and other players in the food industry, as well as paper and cardboard producers and companies from other, even heavy industrial sectors," says the owner. "After some ten years, the small working space at our private home had become too small and we moved to our current site at the Steenkaai Industrial Park in Dendermonde." 

"The metalworking workshop is the beating heart of the company, where our experienced team of mechanics is at work daily on small and larger mechanical constructions. To do this, they have a modern range of machinery, which is also continuously kept up-to-date: lathes, milling centers, cutting and bending machines and sophisticated instruments for sharpening knives." 

"Over the years, we have experienced that during mechanical maintenance work, parts on the machines often need to be replaced as well. Then it is better to have those components directly on hand yourself as well and not have to rely on other supply companies for that. That way you can act flexibly and avoid loss of time and downtime on the shop floor. That is why I decided to build a warehouse with industrial components for our work. Meanwhile, I have also expanded this activity and other industrial companies can also purchase parts from our All-In Parts branch. Our stock includes bearings, sprockets, drive chains, compressed air equipment, gearboxes, electric motors, belts, gears, shaft couplings, tools and technical maintenance products."

Warehouse space in height for parts and long goods

However, storing components for customers requires a lot of space and Gert Vinck did not have that. So he had to look for solutions to efficiently organize the available space. He thought about a paternoster cabinet, but then read a report in Metaalvak about Hänel's automated warehouses and ended up at DDD Technics. 

"Gert was impressed by the possibilities of our tower warehouse type Hänel Lean-Lift®, but also wanted to see it installed quickly. He therefore chose an available exhibition model with a width of 1300 mm, a depth of 825 mm and a height of 6000 mm, equipped with 40 platforms with a load capacity of 300 kg each. Since this platform elevator utilizes the available space in the height, maximum storage capacity is created on a minimum floor space. The parts are stored in an orderly manner and automatically transported to the work opening within seconds," said Chris Cherretté, technical sales representative at DDD Technics. "Shortly after the installation of this first Hänel Lean-Lift® for finished components, Vinck already invested in an additional unit for the storage of long goods, in particular long pipes as base material for the production of parts. This 'cabinet' is 3260 mm wide, 635 mm deep and 4000 mm high."

Compact plate warehouse

But there is more, because the manager was also looking for a way to store stainless steel plates in a limited space. Because of the good cooperation with the plate elevators, he contacted DDD Technics again to see if they had a suitable solution for that too. 

"With YOU-STORE, we offer a premium automated storage system for sheet metal, long goods, production parts or finished products. Each system is customized in close consultation with the customer. How many towers? What load capacity? What height and width are available? Trays, sliders or a combination? By the way, this modular warehouse can simply be expanded in the future. The unit at this location is 5000 mm high and includes 27 cassettes for sheets of up to 4000 by 1500 mm, good for a total capacity of more than 80 tons," says Chris Cherretté. 

"The customer is extremely satisfied with this storage system and is considering investing in an additional YOU-STORE, although these are still future plans. After all, in the meantime we have also designed and installed a mezzanine with an area of 15000 by 6000 mm for the workshop. This allows Vinck to place raw material and parts on one floor, under which there are then machines. This is immediately another interesting solution to efficiently organize the available space."

'Store in a box'

In addition to the 'workshop-and-warehouse-in-one' and offices, a 'store space' for All-In Parts was also integrated into the building. Of course, the available space here too remains limited and Vinck wants to serve its customers quickly and efficiently. 

"Therefore, I wanted to integrate all parts from the shelves into a compact storage system. Naturally, I went to DDD Technics again, where they suggested me an automated Hänel Rotomat® warehouse elevator type 936. Our recently installed system has a height of 3000 mm and is 3024 mm wide," Gert Vinck concludes. "Today we are busy loading this Rotomat®. So in two years we have purchased five different storage systems and it seems like a showroom for DDD Technics. We are therefore extremely satisfied with the quality of the solutions as well as the service: expert advice before purchase, engineering, installation, commissioning and training as well as after-sales service, remotely or on site." ■