Milton Keynes-based Kasto Ltd (www.kasto.com) has introduced a new tower designed to provide a compact and standard solution for the automated storage and retrieval of pallets and flat material.

Among the advantages of the system, called KastoEcostore, are said to be its low space requirement, high storage density, rapid material access and value for money.

The store accommodates material up to 1,500mm deep by either 3 or 4m wide. Both widths are available with a load capacity per station of either 1.2 or 3 tonnes, while system height can be specified by the customer from 3.1 to 8.0m. The level at which loading and unloading takes place can also be specified, with heights up to 950mm available.

KastoEcostore comes as standard with the manufacturer’s own SmartControl, which has an intuitive touch-screen user interface. Loads can be placed on pallets or special cassettes, which are stored and retrieved automatically.

Additional lifting equipment such as a fork-lift is not necessary, says Kasto. Besides being suitable for storing sheet metal in a variety of sizes, this tower system can also hold euro-pallets and stillages.

Furthermore, a range of accessories is available for adapting the system to special requirements; these include a movable carriage for loading and unloading material from the back of the tower, and ‘insert bolts’ for sub-dividing pallets and cassettes.

A storage aid with lift-off bolts can be used to assist in the handling of sheet metal and other materials using a stacker or crane.