TPT May 2015

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Handl ing, bundl ing, packaging & logistics
May 2015 79
Supporting intensive
materials handling
THE heavy-duty Ironclad® range of
motive power batteries from EnerSys
offers more power, extended running
times and longer life than comparable
designs to support intensive lift truck
operations and other demanding
materials handling applications. The
range is particularly suited to situations
where longer truck run times are needed
to minimise the use of spare batteries.
Models rated from 276 to 1,032Ah are
available in standard sizes for small
pallet trucks up to large reach and
counterbalance trucks. The batteries
are now available in the UK and Europe
but have been extensively used in the
USA, where they have proven to be
reliable and rugged performers in tens
of thousands of applications, for many
years.
Based on more than 100 years of
manufacturing experience at EnerSys,
the Ironclad batteries have a number
of features to deliver significant per-
formance advantages over conventional
lead-acid designs.
The positive electrodes in the batteries’
cells incorporate a unique square
Cladex tube technology that results in
around 18 per cent more surface area
than the round tubes or flat plates used
in conventional lead-acid batteries. This
maximises the contact area between
the electrodes’ active material and
the electrolyte, which enables higher
sustained voltages throughout the
discharge cycle. The batteries are
also used with an electrolyte with a
higher-than-average specific gravity.
These features deliver more power
and increased capacity for work – in
simple terms a lift truck can work for
longer. The batteries have high ampere-
hour capacity ratings, outperforming
conventional designs with up to 15 per
cent more power, which is suitable for
the higher discharge rates demanded by
modern AC-drive lift trucks.
To maintain a lift truck’s constant
drive and lift performance throughout a
shift, the motor must offset a battery’s
normal voltage drop during discharge
by drawing more amps. The Ironclad
battery’s ability to sustain higher
voltages, combined with industry-
leading capacity ratings, extends its run
time when compared with conventional
lead-acid models. Materials handling
equipment will run for up to one hour
longer on each charge, reducing
the need for time-consuming battery
changes and maximising productivity
in even the heaviest duty applications,
including busy distribution centres and
other 24/7 operations such as airports
and transport hubs.
In addition to increased power and
longer run times, the greater surface
area of square tube technology and
electrolytes with higher specific gravities
also help the battery achieve a longer
service life.
EnerSys – Switzerland
Website:
Pay-off and take-up stands for tubes
QUEINS Machines GmbH, Germany,
specialises in the manufacture of
heavy duty pay-off and take-up stands,
to be used for unwinding/winding of
tubes having a diameter between 9.5
and 50mm (3/8 " to 2"). These tubes are
mainly used for manufacturing umbilical
cables in the offshore industry. The
machines are of floor-traversing type for
reel flange diameter of up to 3,600mm
(141") and reel weight up to 23 tons
(50,000 lb). Other models are being
manufactured for reel weights up to
300 tons. Further highlights are heavy-
duty belt- or chain-caterpillar capstans
for the same product, with pulling force
up to 200kN.
Queins – Germany
Email:
Website: