Engineering Reliability Before Installation
At Moffett Automation, reliability starts long before our technology reaches a customer’s warehouse. From our headquarters in Co. Monaghan, Ireland, we manufacture, test and validate the components that make up our automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), helping ensure each solution is ready to meet the demands of its intended application.
Our approach combines physical stress testing with advanced software emulation, allowing us to assess both individual components and overall system performance before installation.
90 Hours of Rigorous Testing
Every Moffett Automation pallet shuttle undergoes a 90-hour stress test in our dedicated testing area before delivery. This process allows our team to assess the shuttle’s functionality, verify key components and evaluate its performance under demanding operating conditions.
Our testing extends beyond the pallet shuttle itself. We stress test critical elements of our automation solutions, including conveyors, Vertical Transfer Units (VTUs) and software, to assess how individual components perform and interact within the wider system.
Testing also covers opportunity charging, sensor performance and the shuttle’s ability to handle pallet loads of up to 1,500 kg.
Tested for Demanding Warehouse Environments
Automated warehouse systems must operate reliably in a variety of environments, including facilities handling heavy pallet loads at extreme temperatures.
As part of our testing process, pallet shuttles are assessed while handling loads of up to 1,500 kg and operating in temperatures as low as -25°C. This helps verify their suitability for demanding applications, including cold-storage facilities.
By testing key functions and components before delivery, we can identify potential issues early and help ensure our technology is prepared for the conditions it will encounter on site.
Software Emulation: Optimising Performance Before Installation
Physical testing is only one part of our validation process. Before implementing a system, our software and engineering teams create a digital emulation of the client’s warehouse to evaluate how the proposed solution will perform under real-world operating conditions.
Using the client’s site layout and operational requirements, we emulate the movement of pallets throughout the system. This allows us to analyse expected throughput, assess material flow and identify potential bottlenecks before the system is installed.
By evaluating how pallet shuttles, VTUs, conveyors and other system components interact, we can identify areas where performance may be restricted and make adjustments to the design or system configuration where necessary.
This process helps us to:
- Predict throughput: Estimate the volume of pallets the system can handle within a given timeframe.
- Identify bottlenecks: Highlight potential congestion points or capacity constraints before they affect live operations.
- Optimise system design: Evaluate equipment configurations and material flow to improve overall efficiency.
- Validate performance: Assess whether the proposed solution aligns with the client’s operational requirements.
Emulation gives our team valuable insight into how a system is expected to perform before physical installation begins, supporting more informed design decisions and helping to reduce the risk of unforeseen performance issues during commissioning.
Compatibility with Different Racking Systems
Our dedicated testing area can accommodate racking from various vendors, allowing us to assess pallet shuttle operation across different racking configurations.
This flexibility helps us verify compatibility with the design principles of the Moffett Automation system and supports the integration of our technology into a range of warehouse layouts.
Combined with software emulation, this approach allows us to assess both the physical operation of our equipment and the overall performance of the proposed warehouse solution.
Quality and Reliability from the Start
At Moffett Automation, we believe reliable automation begins well before installation. By combining in-house manufacturing, rigorous component testing and software emulation, we can evaluate our technology at both an individual component and complete-system level.
From a 90-hour pallet shuttle stress test to emulating warehouse throughput and identifying potential bottlenecks, every stage helps us develop solutions designed around our clients’ operational requirements.
Manufactured in Ireland. Tested in-house. Simulated for performance. Engineered for reliability.
