Page 31 - Industrial Technology September 2020 issue

MACHINE BUILDING

Out and about among the

bread and gingerbread

BATTERIES

JOWA’S REGIONAL BAKERY AT GOSSAU, ST GALLEN, RELIES ON ELECTRICALLY-POWERED FORKLIFT
TRUCKS FOR THE INTERNAL TRANSPORT OF GOODS. A CUSTOMISED CHARGING STATION, PROVIDED BY
FRONIUS, HAS RECENTLY BEEN INSTALLED AS A POWER SUPPLY FOR THE FORKLIFT TRUCKS. ADVANCED
TECHNOLOGIES AND INTELLIGENT FEATURES MAKE IT EASIER TO CHANGE THE HEAVY TRACTION BATTER-
IES, REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND ENSURE THAT THE FLEET IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE

rom crispy cobs to delicate braid to Weggli, the often changed simply at the end of a
epitome of the classic breakfast roll, Jowa shift, regardless of how full or empty
products probably mean something to everyone in the battery being used actually
FSwitzerland. The company, based in Volketswil in was,” explains Lendi. Not only did
the Canton of Zürich, is the country’s leading bakery and this take time, it also had a negative
part of M-Industry, supplying bread, cakes, pastries and impact on the service life of the
pasta products to all Migros stores, as well as many other expensive batteries.
businesses and catering facilities. A close eye was kept on the
Gottlieb Duttweiler, the Swiss visionary and man charging technology of the forklift
behind Migros, founded the present-day Jowa in 1931, as fleet, and the decision was made to
one of many industrial enterprises producing goods replace devices that were showing
directly for the distributor. Production is mostly centred in their age with a modern and more
Jowa’s eleven regional bakeries. One of them is located in economical solution. Fronius was
Gossau, a suburb of St. Gallen. The logistics of the site are the first port of call for the project.
impressive: it is not just a matter of making all the items, Fronius specialises in providing
they also have to be packaged, temporarily stored, picked an efficient and sustainable energy
for orders and sent to numerous outlets throughout the supply for electric forklift trucks.
country. “Intensive and individual advice is vital if we are to provide charging, as well as the water consumption of the lead
In the order picking halls, a fleet of nine electrically- the best solution for every user,” explains sales expert Reto batteries.
powered forklift trucks ensures the fast and emission-free Baumgartner, who managed the project for Fronius. Fronius no longer specifically matches a forklift truck
transport of goods. As Jowa works six days a week, 24 Together with Jowa, he designed a system that was to a battery, instead it uses a so-called ‘chaotic battery
hours a day, the forklift trucks are equipped with back-up perfectly tailored to the food manufacturer’s needs. pool’. This is controlled by the Cool Battery Guide Easy
batteries, so that they are ready for use at all times. information and management system. An LED strip for
“Constant availability is particularly important for our Compact charging station each device indicates which battery has been connected
Christmas trade, because this time of year sees an Instead of the huge 50Hz chargers, there is now a compact the longest and is already fully charged. “So now, when an
increase in utilisation of around 20% compared to other charging station with eight 2kW Fronius Selectiva devices operator comes to the station to change the battery, they
periods,” reports Daniel Lendi, supply manager at Jowa in installed in the finished goods store. These are mounted can see at a glance which battery is the next in line,” says
Gossau. “All the manufacturing and logistics processes close together on a stand, with the back-up batteries Lendi. “This optimises the utilisation of our pool and also
must therefore engage seamlessly with one another.” immediately below them – saving valuable space in the ensures an extended service life, as after they have been
Until recently, Jowa relied on chargers using 50Hz hall. Standing in front of the individual charging stations is charged, the batteries always have enough time to cool
transformer technology as the power supply for their lead- a transfer trolley fitted with castors, which can easily be down.”
acid batteries. But this did have some disadvantages, raised by hand to the desired height. “Changing the battery Daniel Lendi is enthusiastic about the new Fronius
remembers Lendi: “The huge devices simply rested on the has never been easier,” says a delighted Lendi. “Forklift charging technology. “The station has really simplified
hall floor and took up a great deal of valuable space. With operators merely have to stop in front of the station and the things for our employees,” he stresses. “It is now far
traction batteries weighing almost 400 kilos, changing transfer trolley takes all the effort out of changing the heavy easier, quicker and safer to change the battery than ever
them also took a vast amount of effort and always involved batteries – it does not take much time, nor does it need the before.” The external start/stop function of the Selectiva
two members of staff. Yet the safety risk remained assistance of a second person.” devices also helps here. When changing the battery, the
considerable, as the batteries could easily topple over and The Selectiva devices are also the only ones on the operator only needs to insert or remove the charging plug;
injure employees.” market to use the intelligent Ri charging process, which there is no input required on the device itself. “The Ri
The technology also showed clear weaknesses in terms adapts each charging process individually to the condition charging process automatically identifies the ideal
of energy efficiency. The outdated charging process caused of the connected battery. “Overcharging is therefore characteristic and the external start/stop prevents sparking
overcharging, in turn leading to high energy consumption reduced to a minimum and we also save energy – by up when the charging cable is disconnected,” explains
and harmful warming of the battery. The devices did not to 30% compared with the 50Hz technology,” explains Fronius expert Baumgartner. This virtually rules out any
have any charging status indication either, so batteries Baumgartner. This consumes less electricity and prolongs incorrect operation that could endanger employees or
were often changed unnecessarily. “The forklift trucks and the service life of the batteries at the same time. The Ri damage batteries.
batteries were specifically matched, and the battery was charging process also greatly reduces gas formation during MORE INFORMATION: www.fronius.co.uk

September 2020 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY 31