Materials Transportation Company debuted the Intell-A-Changer fully-automated battery changing system.

The Intell-A-Changer is designed to change batteries in automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), laser guided vehicles (LGVs) and standard lift truck systems, said Jim Lane, vice president of sales.

The all-electric changer uses no hydraulics. An Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLC (programmable logic controller) controls seven SEW Eurodrive inverters and motors. Encoders inform the PLC about carriage height, arm travel and arm movements. The system uses a laser for down-aisle position sensing and offers travel speeds up to 300 feet per minute and lift speeds up to 45 feet per minute.

Designed to allow for total automation of battery rooms from one to six levels of cooling, charging and idle batteries, the Intell-A-Changer is integrated with 4 × 4 inch solid steel beams at the changer's base.