Ni-Cd batteries power automated vehicles
A
Saft Industrial Batteries product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Feb 20, 2007
Swisslog has switched to Saft STM rechargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery modules for its new generation Telelift TransCar LTC2 AGVs (automated guided vehicles).
Swisslog has switched to Saft STM rechargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery modules for its new generation Telelift TransCar LTC2 AGVs (automated guided vehicles).
The fast charging and deep cycling capability of the Saft STM modules enables the TransCar AGVs to take advantage of an opportunity charging regime, ensuring the round-the-clock availability that would not be possible with lead-acid batteries.
Swisslog AGVs are designed to safely, accurately and continuously transport a variety of bulk items through the hospital by automatically delivering and retrieving four-wheel carts of varying configurations and loads.
The new TransCar AGV system is based on low-profile, compact, fully symmetric bi-directional vehicles that employ virtual path, laser-contour-following guidance.
This technology requires no wall targets, embedded wires or other costly building modifications.
The Saft battery modules provide power for the TransCar traction and the guidance systems, as well as for the automatic lifting platform that raises the hospital carts off the floor - with a maximum lift capacity of 450kg.
The lead-acid batteries often specified for AGVs can not be fast charged, and in this type of application would typically have to be replaced with a freshly charged battery every eight hours.
This involves significant additional costs in spare batteries and the labour required to change them, as well as the need to take AGVs out of service.
By switching to Ni-Cd batteries capable of deep cycling, combined with opportunity charging, Swisslog is able to maximise the availability of the TransCar AGVs.
Because a hospital can rely on individual AGVs being available for at least 22 hours every day, it is able to achieve significant reductions in its total AGV fleet.
The TransCar charging system consists of a wall-mounted power supply panel connected to charge rails embedded in the floor.
Charging is carried out on an opportunity basis, per vehicle as directed by the system control centre.
A safe feedback communications link requires a vehicle to be correctly positioned on the rails before the charging power can be applied.
The battery discharge rate depends on the weight of the load carried by the AGV and the distance travelled.
To ensure maximum availability, Swisslog aims to maintain the battery system at a state of charge between 50 and 80%.
This means that when not in service, the TransCar AGVs are directed to charge as often as possible, even if only for a few minutes.
The 100A charge current will recharge around one third of the capacity of the Saft STM battery modules in under 20 minutes.
Saft STM battery modules have been developed to meet the needs of electric vehicles for energy density (for range), power (for acceleration) and low maintenance.
They feature sintered positive electrodes and plastic-bonded negative electrodes.
Each TransCar AGV is equipped with four Saft STM 5-100 modules in series to create a 24V, 100A battery system.
A typical example of the advantages of the TransCar AGVs powered by Saft batteries is provided by a large suburban hospital in North America.
Previously, the 10-floor building employed a 26-year old wire-guided AGV system that required 60-plus vehicles to deliver materials.
By switching to the TransCar system, the hospital is now able to use its AGVs to carry out even more work with a fleet of just 16 vehicles, thanks to the increased availability provided by opportunity charging.
The hospital estimates that the TransCar system will achieve payback in just over two and a half years, and offers projected savings of over Eur 8.5 million over a 15-year period.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Contact Saft Industrial Batteries
Tel +33 1 49 93 1807
Other Saft Industrial Batteries stories
-
Saft batteries power zero-emission passenger boats
Saft has supplied the batteries to power two new zero-emission electric boats launched by Alternatives Energies. -
Saft presents battery technologies at EP Shanghai
Saft is showing its portfolio of battery technologies developed to meet the specific needs of renewable energy applications for efficient and reliable energy storage solutions. -
Saft signs up for supercapacitors
Saft has signed an agreement with ESMA to cooperate in the development, production and commercialisation of supercapacitors based on ESMA's technology. -
Self-launch glider uses Li-ion battery system
The Antares 20E, an electric self-launching glider developed by Lange Aviation and powered by a Saft custom-designed, rechargeable lithium ion (Li-ion) battery system, is back in series production. -
Saft to supply battery systems for Siemens project
Saft, a designer and manufacturer of high-technology batteries, has won its first major battery systems order for a Siemens Mobility project based in China.
Browse by category
- Consultancy and Services (906)
- Machine Building (4,552)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,219)
- Engineering Design Software (13)
- 2D CAD software (201)
- 3D CAD software (1,162)
- FEA and structural analysis software (373)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (922)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (200)
- Materials design and moulding design software (152)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (260)
- Electrical design software (165)
- Publishing and documentation software (230)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (318)
- Data, document management software (312)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (571)
- File conversion software, data capture (355)
- PLM and collaboration software (651)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,389)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (416)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,282)
- Linear Drives and Motors (115)
- Industrial Motors (500)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,073)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,983)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,054)
- Control and Instrumentation (2)
- Plantwide control (1,332)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,180)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (388)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (186)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (202)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (566)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (295)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (807)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,512)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (497)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (477)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (633)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (728)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (442)
- Data loggers (421)
- Materials testing equipment (419)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (155)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (508)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,231)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,192)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (556)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (690)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (710)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (425)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (806)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (370)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (635)
-
Materials and Processing (2,982)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,231)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (288)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,112)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (564)
- Engineering Conferences (426)
- Engineering Seminars (401)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (634)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (352)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (438)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (843)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (278)
-
Powertrain Design (3,636)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (954)
- Chains and belts (328)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,450)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (430)
-
Capital Equipment (3,408)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (467)
- Production line blowers and fans (64)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (517)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,101)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (935)
-
Sensors (7,131)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (430)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (707)
- Pressure sensors (625)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (621)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (529)
- Linear Position Sensors (407)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (551)
- Proximity Sensors (707)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (286)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (154)
- Temperature sensors (613)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,390)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,650)
