By Luc De SmetLogiMAT 2016 attracted a record number of exhibitors, 1,280, over an increased exhibition space of 95,400 sqm - up 12.2% from last year. A total of 43,465 trade visitors (up 23.8% from last year) were present over the three-day event.
The themes of the show were Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things, with a continued push towards electric trucks and a large number of AGVs also evident.
 iGo neo CX20 |
Three companies were recognised with 'best product' awards: STILL's iGo neo CX20 order-picking vehicle in the order-picking category; Synfioo in the software, communication and IT category with its 360° Transportation Monitoring; and SICK's Master Analyzer in the category for identification, packaging and loading technology.
STILL's iGo neo CX20 is an autonomous low-level order picker with a 2 T capacity that follows the operator as he walks the aisles of a warehouse. The platform is 800 mm wide and the iGo can reach 6 km/h in autonomous mode and up to 12.5 km/h in conventional mode.
The technology was developed by STILL and in conjunction with the University of Hanover Fraunhofer IML and DFKI. STILL plans to apply it to other product categories.
Toyota launched the Traigo 48 counterbalance truck with 48 V lithium-ion battery in 380 Ah or 448 Ah versions. The series comes in 11 models, six in three-wheel (1.5 to 2.0T) and five in four-wheel (1.6 to 2.0T). It is estimated that the choice of lithium technology could increase efficiency by some 30%.
 BYD's new range |
BYD (Beyond Your Dreams) showed a few trucks in its new product range - 1.6 to 3.5T - that runs on 80 V lithium phosphate batteries. There is one charger for the whole range. A dealer network has been built in Germany, Switzerland and Benelux. This year, dealer networks will spread to Austria, the UK, France, Portugal and Spain.
Hyster presented a new compact rider pallet truck in the RP2.0-2.5N Series on which the driver can adjust the height of the backrest to personal taste, even turn it into a seat at the press of a button. The machine, which is aimed at cross-docking operations, is built in Masate, Italy.
Heavy electric truck maker Carer Lifting Solutions showed its F-series, with models in the 8 to 9 T range. The F90HD shown had two 96 V AC motors directly driving the front wheels. The twin batteries - generating 1,500 Ah - can be lifted in their cradle from each side.
Flexi showed its AC StorMAX articulating truck that lifts up to 11 m and is equipped with double-deep telescopic forks for FILO (first-in, last-out) operations, increasing warehouse capacities by 50%, it is claimed.
Combilift showed off its Combi-WR4 pedestrian reach stacker with pantograph and four-way options. Usually on such stackers, the motorised rear wheel follows the driver beam. On this machine, the operator can pull the beam to the side and reorient the rear wheel in order to back up even further in the tightest of aisles. Lifting height is up to 4.2 m.
 Serva's EVE |
Swedish truck and trolley builder Helge Nyberg AB launched its new Taxi Portal that lifts and carries trollies up to 1.2 T. Loading and unloading goods is possible from both sides. The Taxi Portal can be transported along with other taxi trolleys in its Ergobjörn taxi family.
German Serva Transport Systems, known for its Ray automatic parking drone, premiered a second product - EVE (Efficient Variable Ergonomic). EVE is a most elegant AGV that forms part of a total concept. When a forklift unloads a trailer, it drops the pallets onto the Ergoporter, an ergonomic 0.5 m high stand that carriers up to 1 T. EVE 'swallows' the Ergoporter and the pallet and brings them into the warehouse and later to the production/assembly floor at a speed of 1.6 m/s. EVE is operational at crane builder Palfinger AG.
LogiMAT will be held again from 14 to 16 March 2017.