Since 1995, an automated storage tower manufactured by Kasto has been installed at stockholder Heine + Beisswenger, underpinning fast, punctual delivery of an extensive range of steels to customers. However, 25 years of constant operation had impacted performance and availability, so Kasto recently updated the Unitop storage system with a comprehensive retrofit.

The Kasto Unitop automatic cassette system measures 68 m long by 13 m, with space for 1300 cassettes, each of which can hold 4 tonnes of material up to 7 m long.
A feature of the system is the storage and retrieval machine (SRM), which automatically removes a cassette containing the required material and transfers it to a carriage that then makes the stock available at ground level at one of two storage and retrieval stations.
During the retrofit at Heine + Beisswenger, Kasto replaced the existing S5 system control with a modern Siemens Simatic S7 400 PLC and updated the drive controllers, as well as the SRM’s positioning sensors and Profinet connection. The hoisting gear was given an efficient, three-phase drive, while the power supply to the SRM and carriage was renewed to improve reliability.
Another modernisation task was the replacement of the carriage that receives the cassettes and delivers them to the storage and retrieval stations at the front of the Unitop.
The carriage now has two roller conveyors instead of one to allow simultaneous handling of two cassettes. Additionally, the longitudinal travel speed of the new carriage is twice as fast, at 120 m/min, increasing efficiency further. According to the company, 35 seconds is saved per storage and retrieval cycle.
Retrofit works were completed in just two weeks.
The storage facility is now controlled and managed by KASTOlogic warehouse management software, which is connected to the MRP system at Heine + Beisswenger.
For further information www.kasto.com