Safe charging of autonomous transport systems with Sustamid® 6 FR

Globalisation, digitalisation and e-commerce are leading to ever greater challenges in logistics. Round-the-clock availability and increasingly individualised piece picking are prompting logistics companies to optimise their internal processes. Trends such as robotics and automation are key factors here. Today, automated transport systems, so-called AGVs (automated guided vehicles), often perform in-house goods flows. Charging panels for charging battery-powered vehicles are a critical safety component. Designer engineers use the flame-retardant material Sustamid® 6 FR for a high level of safety.

Whether as an automated forklift, tunnel-under transport or in combination with lifting units or gripper arms – floor-level AGVs are nowadays indispensable for optimising internal transport in production, warehouse and distribution environments.
The advantages are obvious. They are:

efficient, precise and reliable
flexible and dynamically adapt to tasks and environments
easy to integrate into existing structures and scalable
can be employed almost permanently

In addition to intelligent systems for task planning and navigation, energy supply also plays a central role in ensuring smooth operation.
For charging, there are usually special waiting zones that the AGVs can enter if the battery charge level falls below a critical level or at predefined times. This permits virtually uninterrupted operation of the autonomous transport systems.
Sliding contacts are frequently used for charging. To keep charging times as short as possible, the charging currents are usually high, resulting in a lot of heat being generated. It is therefore important to use materials that offer a high level of safety based on their special fire protection characteristics when designing the charging panels.

Autonomous transport systems are becoming increasingly important in intralogistics

A customer of Röchling Industrial in Lahnstein uses Sustamid® 6 FR for this purpose. The flame-retardant polyamide, which is also widely used in other safety-relevant applications, such as in railway vehicles, has a fire protection rating in accordance with UL 94 V0. Its low weight also contributes to conserving energy and in that way extends the period of use until the next charging session.
Properties at a glance:

Low weight (density 1.17 g/cm³)
High dimensional stability
High rigidity and strength
Flame retardant and self-extinguishing
Fire protection classification UL 94 V0 and relevant requirements of the European railway vehicle standard DIN EN 45545-2:2013 as well as other globally applicable standards
Very high oxygen index of 40% (LOI – Limiting Oxygen Index)
Does not contain halogens or phosphorus
Good sliding and wear behaviour
Good machinability

Sustamid® 6 FR is available in many dimensions and colours as sheets, rods and tubes.