Horizontal carousels now monitored remotely

The Intelligent Machine Health Monitoring (IMHM) system is now offered standard on all Hornet horizontal carousels from Sapient Automation, announced Ed Romaine, chief marketing officer, in a press conference held yesterday in Booth 4231.

“The system remotely checks a user’s horizontal carousel system in real time, 24/7, to detect performance variances and anomalies that could contribute to failures,” said Romaine.

The carousel’s control system communicates to Sapient’s service group over the Internet. Sensors throughout the machine monitor critical thresholds—usage, picks, run time and energy consumption—all custom-tuned to each user’s unique usage demands. Should trouble be detected, the service group arranges for service with facility management.

“The system proactively keeps the unit up and running to extend component life and return on investment,” continued Romaine. “It also helps refine preventive maintenance timing to optimize equipment operation and maximize system uptime.”

Romaine said he expects the technology to also be added standard on the full line of Sapient’s vertical lift modules and vertical carousels within the next couple of months.

ProMat 2011 will be held March 21 - 24, 2011 at McCormick Place South in Chicago. The tradeshow will showcase the latest manufacturing, distribution and supply chain solutions in the material handling and logistics industry.

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