About warehouse automation

 

Warehousing automation otherwise know as intralogistics can be summarised by optimizing, integrating, automating, and managing the logistical flow of information and material goods in a fulfillment or distribution center.

Automated warehouses can be deceptively dangerous for machine operators and maintenance personnel. These large facilities often contain automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) that span across many isles and require multiple access points while the visibility of personnel is limited. ​
Additionally, automated warehouses are likely to have many different conveyor systems, robotic handling equipment, and palletisers which each require their own safeguarding and access control procedures in order to avoid injury to personnel and streamline productivity. The risk of unexpected start-up and motivation to defeat in whole body access situations is high as jams or box drops and falls are common and need human intervention to fix while productivity is heavily driven and there is a high motivation to keep. machines running.

Why Choose Fortress For Warehouse Automation Safety?

 

The highest level of safety

 

Our interlocks meet the highest level of safety. Many of our interlocks are certified independently by TUV to PLe. Our amGardpro range is even rated to PLe for guard locking, so there is no need to fit two interlocks on gates as amGardpro is so strong that one is enough.


Our customisability ensures you can create an application which meets your exact safety requirements to ensure your people get the highest level of protection. Talk to our safety experts to help you navigate complex safety standards and ensure your people get the best possible protection.

Key Intralogistics Applications

Palletisers & De-palletisers

 

 

 

Palletisers are a very common application in all industries. At Fortress we have helped with several different applications with custom interlocks for each one. Personnel (safety) keys prevent unexpected start up. Our FRANK system can control who is allowed to do what when accessing a robot cell to make sure only the people with training can perform certain tasks.

 

 

FRANK application

 

 

Rail dependent storage and retrieval – EN528 conformity

 

 

EN 528 is a complex standard to follow with key dependency often a complex and misunderstood concept. At Fortress was are experts when it comes to keys, contact our sales team to speak to experts on the EN 528 standard for guidance and support on how best to meet it.

 

 

EN 528

 

 

 

​Fortress has Applications across an Automated Warehouse

Fulfilment Centre / Automated Warehouse – 3PL Image

Fulfilment Centre / Automated Warehouse – 3PL Image

Delivery Intake

When taking in deliveries, there are a number of automated solutions that can help improve upon productivity by greatly speeding up the process.

These applications can be complex and may require a collaboration of products from Fortress and different manufacturers to achieve an ideal solution.

Our experienced team of safety experts would be happy to guide you through the process of safeguarding these sectors of your facility and are happy to provide guidance on designing an optimal solution.

🖱️Contact Our Team Here!

Depalletiser and Muting Control System

In this example application, the depalletising robot is safeguarded by a light curtain and a muting system to ensure that personnel cannot be injured when entering the safeguarded space. The example Fortress solution will eliminate the need for an expensive I/O distribution box, greatly reduce cabling costs and combine access control and machine/conveyor control pods into a single device.
Find out how our solution could be beneficial in your facility below!

🖱️Depalletiser - Light Curtain Access Guide

Gantry Access

There is an increasingly common requirement to restrict access over conveyors, rolling roads, and moving production lines without stopping processes. Often these systems allow access and exit via multiple entryways.

In instances where only access control is required, the push internal release (PIR) can offer a solution in which the mechanical only unit is operated with a key that is held by approved personnel only.

🖱️Find Out More About Our Retrofittable Solution 

Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems

Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (ASRS) are large automated machines that pose numerous dangers for machine operators and maintenance personnel alike.

If you would like to learn more about improving both personnel safety and productivity within these systems, click the link below!

🖱️ASRS Application Guide

Palletiser Application Guide

In this example application, the palletising robot is safeguarded by a light curtain and a muting system to ensure that personnel cannot be injured when entering the safeguarded space.

The example Fortress solution will eliminate the need for an expensive I/O distribution box, greatly reduce cabling costs and combine access control and machine/conveyor control pods into a single device.

Find out how our solution could be beneficial in your facility below!

🖱️Palletiser Application Guide!

Automated Storage and Retrieval System - Multi Gate Access

If you have an ASRS that requires multiple access points, extra steps must be taken to ensure that personnel are protected during whole body access. Read our guide below to learn about the Fortress solution!

🖱️Multi-Gate Access Control Guide!

Outbound Delivery

When loading items onto a truck for outbound deliveries, there are a number of automated solutions that can help improve upon productivity by greatly speeding up the process.

These applications can be complex and may require a collaboration of products from Fortress and different manufacturers to achieve an ideal solution.

Our experienced team of safety experts would be happy to guide you through the process of safeguarding these sectors of your facility and are happy to provide guidance on designing an optimal solution.

🖱️Contact Our Team Here!

Conveyor Systems

Conveyor systems often consist of multiple conveyors that can span large distances across a warehouse, meaning the installation of safety devices needs to be carefully considered to protect employees and avoid huge cabling costs.

Thankfully, Fortress' solution is designed with the specific requirements of large automated warehouses in mind and can be customised to maximise personnel safety whilst minimising installation costs & downtime.

Our daisy chainable, single unit solution includes both access control & conveyor control pods whilst also containing a connection point for external I/O, making installation and operation easy.

Conveyor System Application Guide


 

 

When taking in deliveries, there are a number of automated solutions that can help improve upon productivity by greatly speeding up the process. These applications can be complex and may require a collaboration of products from Fortress and different manufacturers to achieve an ideal solution. Our experienced team of safety experts would be happy to guide you through the process of safeguarding these sectors of your facility and are happy to provide guidance on designing an optimal solution.

 

Contact Our Team Here!

 

 

 

 

In this example application, the depalletising robot is safeguarded by a light curtain and a muting system to ensure that personnel cannot be injured when entering the safeguarded space. The example Fortress solution will eliminate the need for an expensive I/O distribution box, greatly reduce cabling costs and combine access control and machine/conveyor control pods into a single device.

Find out how our solution could be beneficial in your facility below!

 

Depalletiser Application Guide

 

 

 

 

There is an increasingly common requirement to restrict access over conveyors, rolling roads, and moving production lines without stopping processes. Often these systems allow access and exit via multiple entryways. In instances where only access control is required, the push internal release (PIR) can offer a solution in which the mechanical only unit is operated with a key that is held by approved personnel only.

 

Retrofittable Solution

 

 

 

 

Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (ASRS) are large automated machines that pose numerous dangers for machine operators and maintenance personnel alike. If you would like to learn more about improving both personnel safety and productivity within these systems, click the link below!

 

ASRS Application Guide

 

 

 

 

If you have an ASRS that requires multiple access points, extra steps must be taken to ensure that personnel are protected during whole body access. Read our guide below to learn about the Fortress solution!

 

Multi-Gate Access Control

 

 

 

 

In this example application, the palletising robot is safeguarded by a light curtain and a muting system to ensure that personnel cannot be injured when entering the safeguarded space. The example Fortress solution will eliminate the need for an expensive I/O distribution box, greatly reduce cabling costs and combine access control and machine/conveyor control pods into a single device.

 

Find out how our solution could be beneficial in your facility below!

 

Palletiser Application Guide!

 

 

 

 

Conveyor systems often consist of multiple conveyors that can span large distances across a warehouse, meaning the installation of safety devices needs to be carefully considered to protect employees and avoid huge cabling costs. Thankfully, Fortress’ solution is designed with the specific requirements of large automated warehouses in mind and can be customised to maximise personnel safety whilst minimising installation costs & downtime. Our daisy chainable, single unit solution includes both access control & conveyor control pods whilst also containing a connection point for external I/O, making installation and operation easy.

 

Conveyor System Application

 

 

 

 

When loading items onto a truck for outbound deliveries, there are a number of automated solutions that can help improve upon productivity by greatly speeding up the process. These applications can be complex and may require a collaboration of products from Fortress and different manufacturers to achieve an ideal solution. Our experienced team of safety experts would be happy to guide you through the process of safeguarding these sectors of your facility and are happy to provide guidance on designing an optimal solution.

 

Contact Our Team Here!

 

 

Fortress has applications right across the material handling sector.

From a factory across the sea to your house goods are handled at multiple points,
click below to see applications we have for handling materials in
all of these touchpoints.

 

 

Logistics Overview

Logistics Overview
Manufacturer Logistics Processing Plant Ports Trains Airports Automated Warehouse Fulfilment Centre Superstore Customer Packaging / Material Suppliers Machine/Line Builders

Manufacturer

Many manufactures store their parts in automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). If the correct risk reduction measures are not implemented, these large systems can be dangerous to personnel.

🖱️ASRS Risk Reduction Measures Guide

AGV safety can be complex and hard to navigate. See how Fortress contributes to keeping people safe around AGV's here (Coming Soon!)

Logistics Processing Plant

The logistics sector contains a variety of large machinery that could cause serious harm to untrained personnel, such as seasonal workers. For this reason, you may not want all personnel in your facility to have access to your palletisers and robots.

Click the link below to learn more about controlling access to

🖱️Palletisers and Robot cells

Processing packages usually involves miles of conveyor systems that require extremely long cable runs when installing any of the required electronic safety devices or controls.

Click the link below to find out how Fortress can drastically reduce cabling & installation costs in

🖱️Conveyor Control Systems Guide

Ports

One of Fortress' most common applications is keeping operators safe from automated rubber tyred gantry cranes, which are very common in ports.

In such a large safeguarded space, find out why a safety key is so important here!

🖱️Automated Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes Guide

Trains

One of Fortress' most common applications is keeping operators safe from automated rubber tyred gantry cranes.

In such a large safeguarded space, find out why a safety key is so important here!

🖱️Automated Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes Guide

Airports

Nothing is worse than having your luggage end up in the complete wrong country! This is no surprise with miles of complex conveyor systems all having to work perfectly together.

See how our Fortress solution can save you from the headache of installation for conveyor systems!

🖱️Conveyor Control Systems Guide

Automated Warehouse

Fortress works with some of the largest logistics and automated warehousing companies in the world to ensure personnel safety and optimal productivity.

🖱️View our automated warehouse process guide here!

Fulfilment Centre

Fortress works with some of the largest logistics and automated warehousing companies in the world to ensure personnel safety and optimal productivity.

🖱️View our fulfilment centre process guide here!

Superstore

Automation is becoming king in the world of superstores as customers are demanding ever shorter lead times for goods and services. Coming soon - the Fortress guide to safeguarding a mini automated storage and retrieval system.

Customer

Automated logistics means less mistakes and more happy customers!

🖱️Contact Us for any advice on machinery safety and productivity in the 3PL Sector!

Packaging / Material Suppliers

Producing packaging is a dusty process that is particularly harsh on machinery and access control devices.

Worry no more with Fortress' amGardpro heavy duty range of interlocks, designed specifically to withstand these environments!

🖱️amGardpro Range

Machine/Line Builders

What can Fortress offer line builders and OEM's? Coming Soon!

 

 

Learn more about the safety standards, and watch the Fortress Webinar for the Warehouse Automation sector.

We are experts in providing safety solutions for automation

Contact us for tailor guidance and solutions for your machinery safety applications.

Other Fortress Warehouse Automation Applications