As in the race, speed is also required when it comes to the provision of metal sheets. The Stopa Tower Eco developed by Stopa Anlagenbau GmbH, Achern-Gamshurst, meets this requirement thanks to its ability to access raw sheets quickly. The tower storage system, which is around 4.5 m high, 2.9 m long and 3.6 m wide at KW automotive, also has other advantages. These include space-saving storage of the panels, minimal material damage and less searching. Apart from this, the Stopa Tower Eco, which is designed for a payload of 1,200 kg per compartment, offers a cost-effective entry into the automatic storage of flat materials thanks to its modular concept.

The company has chosen a fixed height grid for the loading height of 60 mm because this enables optimum packing density in relation to the part geometry. On request, Stopa can also supply the tower bearing with a loading height grid of 200 mm.

KW automotive supplies a TRUMPF TruMatic L 2530 laser cutting system from the Stopa Tower Eco. In this case, the tower storage system is equipped with 26 storage locations. The system pallets have a usable pallet area of up to 1,250 x 2,500 mm. A laser controls the permissible loading height. The stationary lifting beam is equipped with a pull and push device as well as reliable monitoring of all functions. Height positioning is performed by an absolute and load-independent digital distance measuring system.

The system operator finds the system easy to use. He selects the storage location and has the load carrier pre-stored by entering the start and destination coordinates on the central system control panel. When he releases the pallets, they return to their compartment. All storage and retrieval operations are semi-automatic as long as the employee presses the enable button. KW automotive has so far had no need for the optional automatic mode offered by Stopa, which would allow individual orders to be processed automatically once the start and destination coordinates have been entered.

The sheets stored in the tower warehouse are made of steel and stainless steel. The operator also stores aluminum sheets there. The material thicknesses vary between one and 15 mm.

The commissioning of the Stopa Tower Eco at KW Automotive at the beginning of 2019 marked the start of sheet metal processing. The company has invested in the future as the tower storage facility could buffer material for further processing machines given its capacity.

Press contact:

Stopa Anlagenbau GmbH

Anna Ivantsova

Industriestrasse 12

77855 Achern-Gamshurst

Phone: +49 (0)7841 / 704-167

E-mail: [email protected]