Stiles Machinery Installs Hänel Vertical Storage and Retrieval System

Stiles Machinery Inc. of Grand Rapids, Mich., has installed a vertical storage and retrieval system for spare parts inventory and order fulfillment.

Hänel's U.S. office in Pittsburgh, Pa., provides service and spare parts support for the North American market, and by using an extensive dealer network throughout the United States, they are able to leverage expertise and provide solutions for many different market segments. The system was purchased from an authorized Hänel distributor, AME Vertical in Troy, Mich., who also provided installation support with factory certified technicians.

Hänel Lean-Lifts use available room heights and uniquely store the parts without any loss of space by means of height optimization, resulting in maximum storage capacity on a minimum footprint. The third largest integrated Hänel system in North America, Stiles installed six units that are each 9- by 9- by 19-feet. Five of the units have 44,000 pounds capacity to store 551 pounds per pan; one of the units has 66,000 pounds capacity which is capable of handling 883 pounds per pan to accommodate large, bulky items. In addition to the storage benefits, the system also has many safety advantages including a photo cell safety curtain, part height sensing system, redundant back-up of safety and sensor circuits and the ergonomically-friendly design allows items to be retrieved at waist height, eliminating bending, reaching and the use of step stools and ladders.