Storage Tower – Automated storage space right where it's needed
More storage space rarely solves the problem—the key is to bring the warehouse to where the work is being done. Hoarding materials and tools in a remote central warehouse slows down processes and wastes valuable time. The storage tower brings storage space exactly where it’s needed in the process—right to the workstation. As a fully automated high-bay warehouse, it makes optimal use of the available floor space and the full height of the facility. This allows you to create maximum storage space on a minimal footprint—for shorter distances, faster access, and smoother operations.
Storage Tower – Automated storage space right where it's needed
More storage space rarely solves the problem—the key is to bring the warehouse to where the work is being done. Hoarding materials and tools in a remote central warehouse slows down processes and wastes valuable time. The storage tower brings storage space exactly where it’s needed in the process—right to the workstation. As a fully automated high-bay warehouse, it makes optimal use of the available floor space and the full height of the facility. This allows you to create maximum storage space on a minimal footprint—for shorter distances, faster access, and smoother operations.
The Key Benefits at a Glance
- Time savings by eliminating travel and search times
- Optimal use of space with minimal floor area
- Ergonomics thanks to the “goods-to-person” principle
- Safety thanks to controlled access to individual shelves
- Flexible adaptation to site and working conditions
- Protection against dust and unauthorized access
When Space in Production Becomes a Bottleneck
Long Distances Instead of Quick Moves
Warehouse chaos
Wasted space
Physical strain
LTK Storage Tower: The Right Material in the Right Place—at the Push of a Button
Bring your inventory right where it’s needed—directly into the process. It’s like in the kitchen: No one builds a basement for food storage just to cook faster. Access has to be direct and convenient—that’s why the refrigerator is right in the kitchen. Why not store the relevant tools and materials right next to the machines where they’re needed? That’s exactly how storage space becomes a real productivity advantage.
Unlike traditional warehouses and central material storage facilities, the storage tower—also known on the market as a storage lift—makes optimal use of the available ceiling height right where the action is. To achieve this, Apfel builds storage towers that extend up to 20 mm below the hall ceiling and, if necessary, even beyond it. Whether in manufacturing, at assembly workstations, in shipping, or in maintenance at auto repair shops and airports—anywhere where space is limited but maximum availability is required—the storage tower brings order to even the tightest of spaces.
In the storage tower, the individual shelves are intelligently stored on both sides in 25-mm increments via a centrally located extractor.
By comparison, a paternoster rack is an automated carousel system in which the carriers circulate in a closed loop. While the paternoster rack is ideal for uniform containers, the storage tower flexibly adapts to the stored goods via its integrated height-sensing grid and stores them intelligently.
If you want to do more than just store goods—if you want to optimize processes—Apfel’s storage tower is the way to go!
Overview of Apfel’s LTK Storage Towers
Thanks to their modular design, height, width, and depth can be customized—in the following overview, we present the two most popular configurations.
For all configurations, you can choose between a standalone solution, a classic ERP, WMS, or WHM integration, or Apfel’s intuitive iPad control system.
With the iPad control system, Apfel offers a unique combination of intuitive warehouse management software and real-time visual monitoring via a camera,
which captures an up-to-date image with every shelf movement.
LTK 1280
- Footprint of 1,580 mm (W) x 2,921 mm (D), which corresponds to 4.61 m²
- Shelf dimensions of 1,250 x 813 mm, which correspond exactly to a Euro pallet
- Standard load capacity of 500 kg per shelf and a maximum of 70 t for the entire system
- Automatic storage in 25 mm increments, which flexibly adapts to the stored goods
- Powder-coated housing in RAL color of your choice
- Optional with intuitive iPad control and camera monitoring
LTK 2480
- Footprint of 2,780 mm (W) x 2,921 mm (D), which corresponds to 8.12 m²
- Shelf dimensions of 2,450 x 813 mm, which corresponds exactly to two Euro pallets
- Standard load capacity of 500 kg per shelf and a maximum of 70 t for the entire system
- Automatic storage in 25 mm increments, which flexibly adapts to the stored goods
- Powder-coated housing in a RAL color of your choice
- Optional intuitive iPad control and camera monitoring
Custom LTK Configuration
- Width from 1,250 to 4,050 mm
- Depth from 610 to 1,270 mm
- Load capacity from 250 to 1,000 kg
- Height from 2.5 to 15 m in 100 mm increments
- Load capacity of max. 70–127 t
- Up to 10 retrieval points at the front and rear
- Powder-coated housing in RAL color of your choice
- Integration with nearly all ERP, WMS, and WHM systems, or the intuitive iPad control system with camera detection from Apfel
- Can be combined with robotic systems
Intuitive iPad Control as Warehouse Management Software
Control your storage tower using the intuitive app—either with the iPad mounted directly at the dispensing station or on the go with your iPhone.
The simple yet smart warehouse management software saves employees time spent searching for items and prepares the stored goods in advance as needed.
An integrated camera documents every movement of the shelves in real time—the images can be accessed digitally in the app. This way, the current load status of the shelves, including exact retrieval times and user logins, is logged and can be viewed at any time.
Your benefits:
- Intuitive operation via iOS app
- Time-efficient order fulfillment
- Logging of all pick operations
- Maximum transparency at all levels
Accessories
- Shelves
- Shelf Carts & Pull-Out Shelves
- Tool Holders for Machining
- Tool Holders for Press Braking
- Tool Holders for Punching (including setup cassettes)
- Insert blocks for collets & special tools
- Slotted grid trays & frames
- Bolted partition systems
- Metal storage bins
- Open-front storage bins & Euro-standard containers
Customer Solutions
- Feel free to contact the specialists at Apfel with your specific requests to find the perfect solution for your needs
- You can find a selection of customer solutions we’ve already implemented in the corresponding section
Technical Specifications Comparison
| Technical Specifications | LTK 1280 | LTK 2480 | Custom LTK Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Floor area |
1.580 mm (B) x 2.921 mm (T)
(4,61 m²) |
2.780 mm (B) x 2.921 mm (T)
(8,12 m²) |
1.580 – 4.380 mm (B) x 2.312 – 4.380 mm (T)
|
|
Height (available in 100-mm increments) |
2,5 – 15 m |
2,5 – 15 m |
2,5 – 15 m |
|
Shelf Dimensions |
1.250 mm (B) x 813 mm (T)
(1,01 m²) |
2.450 mm (B) x 813 mm (T)
(1,99 m²) |
1.250 – 4.050 mm (B) x 610 – 1.270 mm (T)
|
|
Standard load capacity per shelf
|
500 kg |
500 kg |
250 – 1.000 kg |
|
Total load capacity
|
70 t |
70 t |
70 – 127 t |
|
Minimum spacing between shelves |
75 mm |
75 mm |
75 mm and up |
Learn more in our product video
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More InformationYour contact for storage towers
Here's How You and Your Team Can Benefit from Apfel's Storage Tower
Maximum Space Utilization
Thanks to vertical storage, you can make optimal use of your existing space. This creates more capacity in a small area and frees up floor space for value-added processes.
Overview & Organization
Automated storage and retrieval reduce search times to a minimum. With the right warehouse management software, you can keep track of where each item is located.
Transparency with Our App
Combined with camera tracking and app control, you can see in real time at any moment what’s in the storage tower, how much space is available, and what items have been retrieved and by whom.
Greater Security
Closed systems with access control protect your inventory from loss, damage, or unauthorized access.
Ergonomic Picking
Materials are made available at the ideal picking height. This reduces strain on the back and joints and improves your employees’ satisfaction and health.
Cost and Time Savings
Fewer trips, fewer errors, less downtime—and in return, greater speed, transparency, and process clarity.
Contact
Would you like to learn how you can use the storage tower at your company, schedule a free consultation, or get a quote right away? Then contact us now with your inquiry.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can storage towers be built?
The towers are modular and are available in 100-mm increments. They range in height from 2.5 m to 15 m (and can be made taller if needed).
What is the load capacity of a shelf?
The towers are modular and are available in 100-mm increments. They range in height from 2.5 m to 15 m (and can be made taller if needed).
How close together are the shelves in the grid?
The shelves are mounted in 25-mm increments, with a minimum spacing of 75 mm. This ensures maximum height adjustability to accommodate various stored items.
What technologies ensure safe storage?
A level sensor measures the fill level, while the system automatically checks to ensure that the permissible weight is not exceeded. In addition, a safety light barrier protects the operating personnel.
Can I integrate the system into my IT infrastructure?
Yes, that’s possible. The optional interface can communicate with almost all ERP, WMS, and WHM systems via the standard Ethernet port. Alternatively, Apfel’s intuitive warehouse management software with photo capture can be connected to the storage tower via an iPad controller and integrated into your IT infrastructure.
What distinguishes a storage tower from a paternoster?
A paternoster moves standardized containers in a fixed cycle. The storage tower adapts individually to the stored items via the height-sensing grid and stores them intelligently in 25-mm increments.