"This opens up a future market for montratec, because with the energy-saving rail and shuttle transport system montracreal, montratec is creating sustainable and economical intralogistics solutions with maximum savings potential for all industrial sectors, even in cleanrooms," emphasizes Claussen.

One example of the implementation of optimized energy consumption in process automation and intralogistics is the intelligent monorail and transport shuttle system montrac. This sustainable intralogistics solution from montratec has a comparatively very low power consumption and is therefore environmentally friendly and resource-saving. "The use of montrac in networked material flow management therefore makes a significant contribution to energy efficiency,_CO2 savings and cost reductions for the company as a whole," emphasizes Claussen. "This positive impact on the return on investment (ROI) can be quantified using individual model calculations that we create together with our customers."

The montrac transport system, which is modular and flexible thanks to its modular system, consists of an aluminum monorail system and various autonomously controlled transport shuttle types [with integrated power supply (on-board power supply)], which communicate independently both with each other and with the route and are always in the right place at the right time. The decentralized system control regulates the interaction between transport shuttle, monorail and PLC control and enables not only the integration of montrac into external process systems, but also the integration of an ERP system connection. Thanks to the exchange and visualization of all system data in real time and the resulting permanent transparency of the montrac system status, it is possible to react flexibly to changes and make system adjustments promptly.

Compared to classic conveyor belt transporters, whose motors are constantly running, the montrac transport shuttles only consume electricity while moving thanks to the integrated power supply. During travel, the average power consumption of a montrac transport shuttle is only approx. 27 W, even at a maximum speed of 55 meters per minute. As each transport shuttle is equipped with an integrated power supply, no additional power connection is required for the on-board power supply.

Thanks to this integrated power supply for external consumers, workpieces can be checked and processed during the journey. "This turns travel time directly into production time," emphasizes Claussen. The electrically operated montrac switches also have a minimal power consumption of just 8.64 W, as does the decentralized intelligent control unit, the SmartRouter, which requires just 4.8 W.

The entire montrac system works with energy-efficient DC current and a voltage of 24 V, which is tapped directly from the monorail. DC grids are characterized by a significantly higher level of efficiency, as there are no conversion losses.

"Another advantage of the montrac system is the power supply directly at the drive of the transport shuttle. This virtually eliminates power losses and reduces the energy consumption of the montrac system," emphasizes Claussen.