Automatic Truck Loading and Unloading with Smart Technologies (ATLS)
In the rapidly changing world of logistics and supply chain management, automatic truck loading and unloading is no longer a thing of the future, but a daily reality. Companies are investing heavily in advanced systems to shorten lead times, ease the workload of staff, and increase safety during loading and unloading. In this blog, we highlight several key technologies that play a central role in this revolution — including the CargoMatic slat and chain conveyor systems.
What exactly is Automatic Truck Loading (ATLS)?
Automatic loading (and unloading) of trucks means that no or minimal human intervention is required to move goods in or out of trailers. This process runs via automated CargoMatic systems that are tuned to standard loads with standard trailers. The trailer does not need to be modified. The result? Shorter waiting times, lower operational costs, reduced product and trailer damage, and a significant increase in reliability and efficiency of shuttle transport operations.
The increasing role of automated loading and unloading in modern warehouses
The CargoMatic loading & unloading system is an automated solution that transfers 33 pallets in less than 2.5 minutes from a stationary system into a trailer. Combined with an industrial warehouse solution, this ensures a seamless flow of goods from storage to vehicle without human intervention.
CargoMatic is the smart link between trailer and dock, using an integrated slat system inside the trailer and on the loading platform. This allows various load carriers to be automatically and quickly transferred in or out of the truck without damage. CargoMatic is renowned for its reliability and speed, especially in distribution centers where short loading times are crucial — the so-called shuttling.
Slat and chain conveyors are the backbone of automation
Both the chain conveyor and the innovative, user-friendly slat conveyor are classic but still essential components within automatic loading and unloading solutions. A chain conveyor is designed for uniformly heavy loads such as pallets, where chains move underneath the product, but it offers little flexibility for future changing loads. A slat conveyor, on the other hand, uses slats to move goods smoothly. If desired, these systems can also be combined for maximum efficiency.
Ready for the future?
The integration of systems such as CargoMatic shows that automatic truck loading and unloading is more than just a technical gimmick. It is a crucial step in optimizing logistics processes, especially in times of labor shortages and rising operational costs.
