What in the world is a vlm?

A couple of months into entering the business of material handling I received a call from a prospect that wanted to know more about vlms. Ironically the prospect worked for a major international company which had vlms, several in fact, in his facility. When we met he picked me up from the main gate and as we walked back to his area we passed within 2 feet of a vlm. I pointed it out to him and he said he never new what that big box was or how it worked! This was someone that worked in this plant for years and walked by a vlm every day. As someone that made a living at growing the user base of vlms in the midwest and US the lack of awareness of this technology was a common issue.

VLMs, vertical lift modules, are simply tray based asrs machines with a single lift extractor. Most operate with the idea that you call a tray (aka pan) down by tray number, or using software, by part number. You pick or place an item onto the tray and press a button to send the tray back into the unit. The machine will measure the height of the tallest part on that tray and put it away in the location closest to the access opening. There are 4 main functional components to a vlm: storage locations, lifting device, access opening and the controls. The units have a structural assembly where the trays are stored, either in the front column or back column on rails. There is a lift device which runs vertically and pulls or pushes trays into position. The access opening is where the operator interfaces with the tray. And then there is the control drawer which houses most of the electronics required.

VLMs can be utilized almost anywhere in which you have a need to store wip, finished goods, or other inventory in a smaller footprint and with less labor. Applications are varied from a maintenance crib storing nuts, bolts, and hammers to a distribution center storing finished goods in an ecommerce goods to person system. You can integrated vlm technology with your wms/wes software as well as interface with pick and place robotics. Environments can be varied too. The machines are durable enough to withstand most warehouse temperature fluctuations but can also be placed in -20 celsius freezers, refrigerated or heated environments, dryrooms, cleanrooms, and areas where an explosion proof rating is required.

Each manufacturer of vlm has a slight variation on how they accomplish the same tasks. Pulling trays and putting trays away. There are 5 main vendors of vertical lift modules in the US. Kardex Remstar, Modula, Hanel, SSI-Schaefer, and Sencorp White. The main differentiators  between these offerings are drive systems, utilization of space, software, support capability, and of course...price.

Reach out if you are currently sourcing or thinking about purchasing a vertical lift module. My team and I can provide deep expertise in this technology and provide independent, unbiased guidance on the best vlm(or other storage automation) to suit your application and needs!

Tim has over 15 years of experience providing vlm and asrs based solutions across the US. Leaning upon his experience as a Lean Mfg Engineer, Industrial Equipment Design Engineer and his Purdue education in Computer Integrated Manufacturing (lights out manufacturing) he provides high value solutions to customers of all sizes.