Based in Walluf, Germany, Engel Elektroantriebe GmbH develops, designs, and manufactures components and systems for electric drive technology. Engel’s portfolio includes motors, gears, and control units - focusing on the customized development and production of innovative and high-quality servo motors.

In the production area, Engel uses a Vertical Lift Module Kardex Shuttle 700 to ensure parts and components are available both quickly and accurately. The machine is fitted with an innovative fire protection system. In an emergency, the system immediately detects smoke and extinguishes the fire source before the unit and its products suffer any damage. 

The Solution

The warehouse inventory management system confirms when incoming goods arrive in the receiving area and sends them for quality control. In an ESD-protected environment, parts and components are stored within the Kardex Shuttle 700 in crates on trays for access as needed.

The fire protection system uses nitrogen, an inert gas, as it's residue-free and rarely reacts with other substances. If a fire occurs, nitrogen releases inside the Kardex Shuttle 700 through vertically lined nozzle jets decreasing the oxygen concentration and extinguishing the fire. Next, to ensure safety and prevent a fire from reigniting, a “hold flooding” occurs. This floods the unit again and keeps the oxygen concentration low for a minimum of ten minutes.

An early warning system continuously takes air samples from the Kardex Shuttle 700. It tests air particles and if the concentration is too high, a visual and acoustic alarm signals and nitrogen floods the unit. Automatic activation is delayed so that anyone in the danger area can escape first

	1 Kardex Shuttle 700 with three access openings on three floors W: 3,050 mm I D: 864 mm I H: 14,950mm
	Kardex Power Pick System links to the Abas ERP system
	Fire extinguishing system in line with VdS guidelines