FATA Automation

Automated Parking Systems

Automated parking is the automated storage or parking of vehicles with no human intervention. The technology used to do this is based on FATA’s automated warehousing technology and FATA produces several different technologies used in its automated parking systems. From a driver’s perspective, they simply park their vehicles in a parking module, similar to pulling into a single garage, and are guided to the correct parking position by sensors via a display sign. The drivers switch off their engines, all vehicle occupants leave the parking module, and the parking module door is closed to secure the module. Once the module is secured, the vehicle is removed from the parking module and stored. When drivers return and request their vehicles, the vehicle is returned to a parking module, ready to be driven away. Since there is no requirement for ramps, driveways and personnel access to the parking areas, FATA’s automated parking systems can park twice the number of vehicles in the same volume as conventional parking. Or, conversely, park the same number of vehicles in half the volume.

Some of the potential advantages of FATA’s automated parking systems over conventional parking are:

• Reduced construction costs through less excavation, air rights saving and less construction time
• Reduced operating costs through accelerated depreciation, lower ventilation and lighting requirements, lower operator costs and reduced insurance premiums
• Reduced land cost due to smaller footprint
• Added value from the space gained providing more leasable or sellable real estate
• Improved entitlements for developers
• More LEED points available
• Safe and secure parking for drivers and their vehicles
• Less CO2 emissions and more green spaces
• All parking spaces can be ADA compliant

Electrified Monorail Systems (EMS)

FATA Automation is a global leader in Electrified Monorail Systems (EMS) with installations dating back to 1978.  FATA has over 200 EMS installations totaling over 100 miles of track in a variety of applications such as delivery, production areas and automated processes (i.e. BIW welding lines).

FATA has 2 standard Electrified Monorail Systems to choose from based on the weight requirements:

• L/M60 (180mm x 60mm Rail) = 500kg (1100 lbs.) /trolley capacity, with 4 trolleys =2000kg (4400 lbs.)
• P60 (240mm x 80mm Rail) = 1500kg (3300 lbs.) /trolley capacity, with 4 trolleys =6000kg (12000 lbs.)
• Custom engineered designs are available for unique applications and special heavy loads.

FATA offers two types of EMS Control System Methods (Standard and Lean).

FATA Standard methods are designed with off-board and on-board PLC controls.  FATA Lean EMS is a FATA Patented (#9139207) Modular Rail Bus Controlled System with only off-board PLC controls.

Process conveyors are commonly used in the automotive industry to convey vehicle parts through assembly plants and paint shops. They are a durable and versatile method to move products at a desired speed through the manufacturing process and typically require minimal maintenance.

The process conveyor primarily consists of a drive assembly to power the continuous chain arrangement, a take-up unit for tensioning and a track or trough where the conveyor profile length is variable. A single-strand process conveyor utilizes one chain, while a double-strand has two chains to convey product. The application for either style can be determined by the length of the overall conveyor, the power requirements and whether the vehicle skid positioning is critical for work processes.

The advantages of a process conveyor system include:

• Durability to withstand a variety of applications including paint shop ovens and spray booths
• Versatility
• Minimal maintenance
• Cost-effective

Skid Conveyor Systems

Fata Automation is a global leader in the supply of skid conveyor systems with installations dating back to 1977.  We have over 175 systems installed, amounting to over 80 miles (130 km) of conveyor.

Skid conveyor transfers a product carried on fixtures with two longitudinal runners called skids. Skid systems offer an efficient and quiet mode of transport of skids in both longitudinal and transverse directions.  Standard designs are available for both dry and wet area applications up to 1500 kg (3300 lbs.) load with roller bed transfer speeds up 108 mpm 354 fpm.  Custom engineered designs are also available for loads up to 4600 kg (10,000 lbs.)

Skid conveyor products are modular in design that have on-board electrical components such as VFD, switches, cords, and trunk cables as a complete module using common components such as belts, rollers, and motors.

The advantages of Skid Systems Include

• High/variable Speed Process Capabilities
• Repeatability at +/- 2mm
• Modular Component Design
• Multiple Product Capability
• Wide Range of Conveyor Speeds, Production Centers, and Production Rates
• Negligible Downtime Potential
• Minimal Downtime for Model Changeover
• No Lubrication System Requirement
• No Impact Accumulation
• Quiet Operation

Skid Conveyor Products Include the Following:

• Powered Roll Beds
• Cross Transfer Conveyors (Belt/ Chain/ Plastic Chain)
• Eccentric Lift Roll Pop-Up/Hold Tables (Used w/ Cross Transfers)
• Turn/Pivot Tables
• Shuttle Tables
• Lift Tables (Eccentric/Scissor)
• Production Conveyors (Chain/Belt)
• Vertical Drop Lifts
• Stacker/De-stackers
• Accumulation Conveyors
• Docking Station/Skid Pull-Off

Geo Pallet Conveyor Systems

FATA designs, manufactures, installs and commissions Geo Pallet Conveyor, also known as Tooling Pallet Conveyor.

Geo Pallet Conveyor is very similar to skid conveyor, but allows for much more precise tooling. Geo Pallet can be found in body shops where robotic tooling tolerances are very precise. Short stroke lift tables lower the pallet to fore/aft and side-to-side locations that are set to the tooling stations. The benefits of using geo pallet conveyor are: the ability to keep all the tooling on the skid with the product, the skids are much more precise allowing for much higher degree of robotic precision, the product is typically clamped to the skid keeping it from being able to move around while it moves through the system.