Kardex Smart Warehouse Solution for Safe and Efficient Storage of Production Components

Overview

Kardex Smart Warehouse Solution for Safe and Efficient Storage of Production Components

Headquartered in Walluf, Germany, Engel Elektroantriebe GmbH specializes in the development, design, and manufacturing of production components for the automotive, motorcycle, electrical–electronics, and intralogistics industries. Kardex implemented a space-saving storage system to securely store motor parts, gears, and control units, integrated with an advanced fire protection system. In emergency situations, the system can immediately detect smoke and suppress the fire source before equipment and stored goods are damaged.

Kardex Smart Warehouse Solution for Production Component Storage

Customer and Requirements

Engel’s product portfolio includes motors, gearboxes, and controllers. The company focuses on the custom development and production of advanced, high-quality servo motors. Manufacturing operations take place across an area of 2,800 m², where fast and accurate access to parts and components is critical. The warehouse management system confirms goods upon arrival at the receiving area and routes them to quality inspection. Components are stored in trays within an ESD-protected environment to ensure safety and on-demand traceability.

Solutions

Kardex installed a Shuttle XP Vertical Lift Module integrated with a fire protection system. A key feature of this system is the use of nitrogen gas — an inert gas that leaves no residue and rarely reacts with other substances. In the event of a fire, nitrogen is released into the Kardex Shuttle 700 through vertically arranged nozzles, reducing oxygen concentration and extinguishing the fire. To ensure safety and prevent re-ignition, the system then performs a “gas hold” phase, continuing to inject nitrogen and maintaining a low oxygen level for at least ten minutes.

The early warning system continuously samples air from inside the Kardex Shuttle 700. It analyzes airborne particles, and if concentrations exceed permitted thresholds, the system triggers both visual and audible alarms while automatically activating nitrogen discharge. The automatic activation includes a built-in delay to ensure that personnel in the hazardous area have sufficient time to evacuate safely.

Key Benefits

• Optimized uptime – minimized production downtime due to incidents: The system automatically and rapidly detects and handles fire risks, reducing disruptions and maintaining operational continuity.
• Early smoke detection – fire risk alerts at an early stage: Continuous air sampling enables early detection of smoke and combustion particles, allowing timely response measures.
• Maximum protection for stored goods and equipment: The use of inert nitrogen gas leaves no residue, ensuring full protection of stored components and the storage system during and after fire suppression.

Scope of Supply

• 01 Kardex Shuttle 700 system with three access openings across three levels
  (Dimensions: Width: 3,050 mm | Depth: 864 mm | Height: 14,950 mm)
• Kardex Power Pick System warehouse management software integrated with Abas ERP
• Fire suppression system compliant with VdS standards

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