Utangulizi wa Bidhaa
Stacker crane, also known simply as a stacker, is one of the most important lifting and material handling systems in an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS). It is also a landmark piece of equipment that represents the core characteristics of an automated warehouse.
According to structural design and operating mode, stacker cranes are mainly classified into two types: pallet stacker cranes and overhead (bridge-type) stacker cranes, enabling them to meet the requirements of different warehouse scales and operating patterns.
The primary function of a stacker crane is to travel back and forth within warehouse aisles or across multiple aisles, accurately storing goods from the aisle entry into designated rack locations, or quickly retrieving goods from storage racks and delivering them to the aisle entry point, thereby achieving efficient storage, retrieval, and automated material handling.
Overhead (bridge-type) Stacker Crane

Parameters
- Uwezo wa Kuinua: 3 t – 16 t
- Muda: 10 m – 40 m
- Kuinua Urefu: 6 m – 12 m
- Kasi ya Kuinua: 1.5 m/min – 15 m/min
- Kasi ya Kusafiri: 30 m/min – 60 m/min
- Darasa la Wajibu: A5 – A6
Faida
- Utumiaji wa Nafasi ya Juu: Maximizes the use of warehouse height, enabling high-level and dense storage, significantly increasing storage capacity per unit area.
- Kubadilika kwa Nguvu: Customizable according to pallet types, bins, load capacities, and aisle dimensions, ensuring compatibility with various cargo specifications.
- High Positioning Accuracy: Equipped with servo drives, encoders, and laser positioning technologies to ensure precise load handling with minimal positioning error.
- Improved Inbound & Outbound Efficiency: Horizontal travel, vertical lifting, and fork extension can operate simultaneously, reducing cycle time per operation and improving overall throughput.
Three Major Systems Ensuring Reliable and Safe Operation
- Crane System: Includes the crane positioning system, anti-sway control system, human–machine interface (HMI), crane remote control, wireless network configuration, backend servers, and the crane’s main control system.
- Warehouse Management System: Comprises WCS and WMS management systems, barcode scanning devices, warehouse management software, video surveillance systems, wired and wireless network systems, and MES interfaces for production system integration.
- Warehouse Area Safety & Warning System: Covers safety management of crane operating zones, pedestrian walkways, and vehicle passages, along with safety indicator lights, alarm devices, and safety isolation fences for comprehensive protection.






Pallet Stacker Crane

Features of Pallet Stacker Crane
- Electrical Control Modes: Options include manual, semi-automatic, standalone automatic, or computer-controlled operation. Any one mode can be selected based on requirements.
- Variable-Frequency Speed Control: Most stacker cranes use VFD drives and photoelectric addressing, offering smooth speed regulation and high stopping accuracy.
- Safe Power Supply: Equipped with a safe sliding-contact power transmission device to ensure reliable electricity supply.
- Safety Protections: Overload slack-rope and rope-break protection devices are implemented to ensure safe operation.
- Operator Cabin: Features a movable operator cabin with ergonomically arranged handles and buttons, and a comfortable seating design.
- Lightweight, Rigid Frame: The stacker frame is lightweight yet offers high bending and torsional stiffness. Lifting guide rails are precise and wear-resistant, allowing accurate positioning.
- Telescopic Forks: Reduce aisle width requirements and improve overall warehouse space utilization.
Types of Pallet Stacker Crane


| Kipengee | Single-mast Pallet Stacker Crane | Double-mast Pallet Stacker Crane |
| Ubunifu wa Muundo | Composed of one mast, an upper beam, and a lower beam; relatively simple structure | Composed of two masts, an upper beam, a lower beam, and a load carriage, forming a closed rectangular frame |
| Frame Rigidity & Strength | Relatively lower rigidity; limited resistance to eccentric loads | High strength and overall rigidity; strong resistance to deformation |
| Operating Stability | Moderate stability; higher requirements on operating conditions | Smooth operation with low vibration; suitable for frequent start–stop and braking |
| Start/Stop & Braking Performance | Start–stop and braking performance limited by structure | Enables fast start–stop and braking with a large safety margin |
| Load Capacity Suitability | Suitable for small to medium loads; not recommended for heavy-duty applications | Suitable for large load capacities |
| Lifting Height Suitability | Suitable for low to medium lifting heights | Suitable for high-rise automated warehouses |
| Horizontal Traveling Speed | Not suitable for high-speed horizontal travel | Capable of meeting higher horizontal speed requirements |
| Overall Weight | Lighter overall weight | Heavier overall weight |
| Manufacturing Cost | Lower material consumption and manufacturing cost | Higher material consumption and relatively higher manufacturing cost |
| Typical Applications | Small to medium-sized automated warehouses, light-load or cost-effective AS/RS | High-bay warehouses, heavy-duty storage, high-speed automated storage systems |
Stacker Crane Selection Recommendations
Give Priority to Overhead (Bridge-Type) Stacker Cranes When:
- There are multiple aisles with uneven utilization rates
- It is necessary to reduce the number of machines and improve overall scheduling flexibility
- The AS/RS features medium lifting heights and small to medium load capacities
Give Priority to Pallet Stacker Cranes When:
- A single aisle requires high throughput and strict cycle-time performance
- High lifting heights and large load capacities are required
- Projects emphasize system stability and proven, mature technology
As the core equipment of an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS), the warehouse stacker crane plays a vital role in improving space utilization, operational efficiency, and overall warehouse management. Based on warehouse layout, cargo characteristics, and operating requirements, we provide customized stacker crane solutions to help customers build safe, efficient, and sustainable intelligent warehousing systems.




