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Tag: warehouse automation

SSI Schaefer presents future-proof intralogistics at LogiMAT

Posted on by David Priestman

In the age of e-commerce with maximum customer orientation and many services, order structures and throughput times in intralogistics have changed drastically. In order to transfer these multi-layered requirements into efficient logistics structures, companies need flexible logistics systems that work together in a perfect network, and these need to be controlled in transparent processes by powerful logistics software.

SSI Schaefer covers this complex range and at LogiMAT 2022, it will present how its customers achieve a competitive advantage with future-proof intralogistics. Steffen Bersch, CEO of the SSI Schaefer Group: “As a leading solution provider in the market, we aim to create value for our customers with innovative products, outstanding project work and in a trusting partnership that leads them safely into the intralogistics future.”

At the booth in Hall 1, SSI Schaefer will show how small- and medium-sized companies can partially automate processes in a simple way in terms of “plug & play”, all at attractive costs. The result is that storage, transport and picking processes are accelerated, the available space is used more effectively, and ergonomic workflows are guaranteed. Building blocks of these solutions include automated guided vehicles, mobile racking systems, channel storage applications with the SSI ORBITER and the SSI LOGIMAT Vertical Lift Module, which will be exhibited at the trade fair.

Another focus is on intelligent automation solutions such as robotics applications, shuttles, and overhead conveyor technology that handle multi-layered orders within an efficient omnichannel logistics system. Among other things, solutions for the retail, fashion, healthcare & cosmetics, and production logistics sectors will be presented at the booth.

The key element of the dynamic systems is the WAMAS logistics software, which uses real-time analyses, smart data processing and optimization algorithms to optimally control the complex processes in the warehouse and ensure seamless transparency. The modular SSI Schaefer software, whose quality has been officially confirmed several times, seamlessly integrates into the companies’ process and system infrastructure and connects upstream and downstream systems to form an overall system. SAP solutions are also part of the software competence of SSI Schaefer – since the majority shareholding in SWAN in 2021, they jointly rank among the top five providers for SAP logistics.

A special highlight at the booth is the exhibit on the Vertical Farming solution that SSI Schaefer, as official partner of the German Pavilion consortium, just presented at Expo 2020 in Dubai. The innovative as well as sustainable solution was developed in cooperation with Infarm, the fast-growing urban farming company with global presence, and is now presented in Europe.

DS Automotion showcases “ground-breaking” innovations at LogiMAT

Posted on by David Priestman

As well as ARNY (pictured), its new driverless counterbalanced forklift AGV, DS Automotion will showcase revolutionary software innovations in hall 2, booth D04, of the Stuttgart LogiMAT 2022 show.

The new ARCOS vehicle software enables premium manufacturers’ AGVs to navigate fully autonomously. With plannable degrees of autonomy, the extended DS NAVIOS AGV control software achieves a fine balance between greater freedom for more flexible applications and the high levels of reliability and efficiency required in industrial applications.

The LogiMAT 2022 show will see the first live appearance of ARNY, DS Automotion’s new driverless counterbalanced forklift AGV with lifting heights up to 8.5m and payloads up to 2.5t. ARNY can utilise all popular methods for navigating and operate using various kinds of batteries and charging concepts. ARNY features an extremely small turning circle so it can navigate in very narrow aisles.

The ARCOS (Autonomous Robot Control & Operating System) vehicle software newly designed by DS Automotion engineers enables AGVs to navigate cooperatively and collaboratively, turning them into Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs).

The latest generation of the DS NAVIOS AGV control software from DS Automotion communicates via VDA 5050, providing an open and standardised interface. It features DS Automotion’s novel approach of plannable autonomy. It provides AGV systems with more flexibility while ensuring the high levels of reliability and efficiency required in industrial applications.

 

NORD sets new standards for food sector

Posted on by David Priestman

From 26 to 29 April 2022, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS will exhibit at ANUGA FOODTEC (Hall 7.1 on stand A030). With the IE5+ synchronous motor, the company is setting new standards with regard to energy efficiency of drive systems in the food industry and intralogistics. The high-efficiency IE5+ motor has now been integrated into a single-stage helical gear unit – thus further optimising system efficiency – and is also launched in the next size.

The new DuoDrive geared motor features high system efficiency and a consistent version reduction paired with a smooth, unventilated and compact design. Elimination of many wearing parts results in lower maintenance. In combination with the simple commissioning of the complete solution via plug-and-play, this results in a significant decrease of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) compared to existing drive systems. DuoDrive is suitable for use in the food industry as well as intralogistics.

With the IE5+ synchronous motor, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS is setting new standards again: The new motor is now available in ventilated or smooth surface versions for powers from 1.1 to 4.0kW with a continuous torque of 6.8 to 18.2Nm.

Taking integration to the next level

DuoDrive is a NORD DRIVESYSTEMS’ revolutionary integrated geared motor in hygienic wash-down design where the IE5+ synchronous motor and the single-stage helical gear unit are installed in one single housing. As a system, the very compact DuoDrive concept achieves a significantly higher energy efficiency than the already proven combination of IE5+ synchronous motor and NORDBLOC.1 bevel gear unit.

At up to 92%, DuoDrive currently offers one of the highest efficiencies on the market for geared motors in this power class, and achieves its very high systems efficiency even in the partial load range. It is thus future-proof and a real cost reducer.

The first available DuoDrive size covers gear unit speed ratios of i=3.24 to i=16.2 and is designed for torque ranges of up to 80Nm and speeds of up to 1,000min-1. As it is easy to clean, corrosion-resistant and wash-down capable, DuoDrive is also ideal for use in hygiene-sensitive and harsh environments, and ensures higher system availability and lower cleaning costs through lower cleaning effort. If required, the motors are provided with a very smooth surface or the nsd tupH surface treatment.

An alternative to stainless steel

In case of stringent requirements on surface and corrosion protection, nsd tupH surface treatment is the technology of choice. Thanks to a special method, the surface is made corrosion-resistant and harder and makes aluminium behave like stainless steel with regard to corrosion protection.

This is not a coating, but a surface treatment that creates a protective layer which is permanently bonded to the substrate material. So nothing can detach or flake off. Damage remains locally restricted and does not spread. The drives are easy to clean and largely resistant to acids and alkalis.

It is even possible to use high-pressure cleaners or apply aggressive media. nsd tupH treatment is available for most of the aluminium products in the NORD modular drive system, and ideally suited for hygienically sensitive applications in the food sector.

 

Ferag supplies pouch sorter solution to Crocs

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Ferag’s advanced pouch sorter system, Skyfall, is helping to automate logistics processes and handle e-commerce orders at shoe manufacturer Crocs in Dayton, Ohio (USA).

The extensive project involves expanding the existing distribution centre by over 70,000 sq m and is taking place under the direction of Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Advanced Logistics company. In the first phase, the Skyfall system will be equipped with 33,500 pouches that act as a dynamic, constantly rotating circulating buffer thanks to Ferag’s new U-turn switch. Commissioning is planned in several stages up to August 2022.

According to system integrator, Bastian Solutions, the Skyfall pouch sorter from Ferag proved the best technology for helping Crocs meet its strategic business growth plans, working in combination with the upstream AutoStore system. The goal was to find a high-performance, high-precision “order fulfilment machine” that is able to reliably process up to 40,000 units per hour at peak times, when complete. A further decisive point was the outstanding flexibility of the system.

The Skyfall solution can not only be scaled up with minimal effort when required, but can also be used for processing returns, which was planned from the outset in this project. The Ferag system can also be adapted to changing buying habits, new order profiles and seasonal fluctuations without any issues. Even changes within the Crocs product line do not pose any problems. These were the main reasons why the shoe manufacturer – famous worldwide for its plastic clogs – opted for Ferag’s Skyfall solution.

With 18 manual infeed stations and 153 delivery stations, 736 switches and about 8km of conveyors, the latest order from the USA is one of the largest Skyfall pouch sorter projects that Ferag has implemented to date. In addition to supplying its highly robust and fail-safe technology, Ferag also provided Crocs with a sophisticated concept for handling the special Jibbitz shoe charms that Crocs wearers use to personalise their shoes.

Crocs was founded in 2002. Since then, the shoe manufacturer has seen constant growth, with its bright plastic clogs in various colours, such as light green, turquoise or yellow, quickly gaining cult status. The company currently employs over 4,000 staff.

 

 

TGW speeds up Belgian grocery retailer UpFresh

Posted on by David Priestman

TGW is building a high-performance fulfilment centre for UpFresh in the harbour city of Ostend, with completion scheduled for November 2023. Automation will allow maximum flexibility and help the Belgian grocery specialist meet its ambitious growth targets.

UpFresh is one of Belgium’s leading grocery retailers, supplying over 2,700 shops with meat, cheese, salads and convenience products. Speed is central to the B2B specialist’s business model. Customers can place orders seven days a week; those who place their orders before 6 pm can expect to receive their fresh goods the very next day.

TGW software manages all processes

The core element of the system will be a three-aisle shuttle warehouse that will maintain a temperature of two to four degrees Celsius. This will serve not only for goods storage but also as a buffer for empty totes and order totes. Orders will be picked at three high-performance PickCenter One workstations.

Robots will handle the fully automated process of putting pallets together as well as depalletising empty totes. The individual areas of the fulfilment centre will be connected by more than 1.5km of  energy-efficient KingDrive conveyors. All processes will be planned, controlled and monitored by the TGW Warehouse Software, which will act as Warehouse Control System (WCS) and Material Flow Controller (MFC).

High-performance intralogistics

The new distribution centre will help UpFresh meet its growth targets and will constitute the foundation for quick, reliable service. The solution will allow maximum flexibility, thereby helping to sustainably reduce operating costs.

“We have been working closely with the customer to develop a solution tailored to UpFresh’s needs,” says Hans De Sutter, Managing Director at TGW Benelux. “The installation’s layout is designed to be fit for the future: it can be quickly expanded to double the performance, if needed.”

 

Toyota acquires viastore

Posted on by David Priestman

The shareholders of viastore Group, a leading international provider of intralogistics systems, intralogistics software and supporting services, have today (31st March 2022) signed an agreement to sell all shares in the company to Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO).

With its three business units, viastore completes TICO’s range of products and services and will enable an integrated intralogistics offering and customer-specific solutions in the future – from forklifts to fully automatic sorting systems. Together with TICO, viastore will continue to actively pursue its growth strategy.

The new partnership provides viastore with access to the customer portfolio of a leading global engineering group and long-term growth prospects for all three business areas. The parties have agreed not to disclose further details of the transaction, which is still subject to antitrust approval and is expected to close in the third quarter.

Over the past 50 years, the viastore Group has developed into a leading international intralogistics expert. With its three business units – Intralogistics Systems, Intralogistics Software and Supporting Services – viastore is a system integrator for the manufacturing industry and other industries and offers integrated, automated intralogistics solutions.

In recent years, the company has embarked on a successful growth course and, as one of the few companies in the industry worldwide, has consistently relied on software services as an elementary part of its business model. Today, the material flow specialist is present in 17 countries with around 600 employees. For the 2021 financial year, the Group reported sales of around €140m.

Dynamic growth prospects in automation

TICO is a listed Japanese engineering company and a global leader in its field. It operates in three business areas: Automotive (manufacture of vehicles and components), Textile Machinery and Material Handling (Toyota Material Handling Group (TMHG) – forklifts, warehouse technology and lifting platforms and Toyota Advanced Logistics Group (TALG) – automated integration logistics).

TICO has set itself the goal of further strengthening its global competitiveness and offering its customers a comprehensive range of products and services in the field of intralogistics. In 2017, TICO acquired Vanderlande (Netherlands), one of the world’s leading general contractors for airports, warehouse and parcel logistics process automation solutions, as well as Bastian Solutions (USA), a leading North-American system integrator.

Under the roof of TALG viastore becomes part of an alliance of established, strong intralogistics brands. All three brands, Bastian, Vanderlande and viastore, are among the top 20 intralogistics brands worldwide. They have already successfully established themselves independently on the international market and are now pooling their know-how and innovative strength.

Analysts expect significant growth in the global market for material handling solutions in the coming years. By 2026, they forecast a compound annual growth rate of around 8% and an increase in industry revenue to US$354bn, up from US$195bn in 2018. Against the background of a growing demand for integrated solutions in the field of material handling, viastore is tapping into long-term growth potential through the partnership with TICO and its cooperation with Toyota Material Handling Europe.

Besides a broader approach to the market – especially in the area of small- to mid-sized automation projects – both companies will benefit from their individual strengths e.g. in the fields of Warehouse Management Systems, Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems, forklift trucks and Automated Guided Vehicles and create added value through a combined offering.

Partnership characterised by continuity

The partnership with TICO is characterised by continuity. viastore will continue to actively pursue its strategic development and will operate as an independent unit under the roof of Toyota Advanced Logistics Group (TALG) in the future. Brand, business areas, locations and management will be maintained. The management team consisting of CEO Philipp Hahn-Woernle, CFO Anja Zschernig and the COOs Dr. Harald Goebel and Thomas Hibinger will continue to lead the company.

Philipp Hahn-Woernle, CEO of viastore, said: “In the context of a growing demand for integrated solutions in the field of material handling, TICO has recognised the potential of viastore and presented a vision that is strategically compelling for both sides. In TICO, we have found a partner who appreciates the value of our brand and capabilities and will support the company in its long-term global growth trajectory.

“As an independent unit under the roof of Toyota Advanced Logistics, we will continue our successful course and open up new potential and long-term stability for our customers and employees by belonging to a successful group of companies.”

Norio Wakabayashi, Senior Executive Officer of TICO, added: “The viastore GROUP is a successful company with an outstanding market position. Its complementary business areas make viastore a perfect match for TICO to be able to offer customers an integrated intralogistics solution in the future.

“I am very pleased to welcome the outstanding team of viastore, which strengthens our know-how in the market for intralogistics and expands our family of companies through the addition of another highly recognized intralogistics brand.”

Tompkins-GRS partnership yields RaaS model

Posted on by David Priestman

Tompkins Robotics, a global leader in the robotic automation of distribution and fulfilment operations, has partnered with Global Robotics Services (GRS), a GLP backed platform that provides financial backing for collaborative robots as a service (RaaS) solutions.

The Tompkins Robotics – GRS RaaS solution provides customers with the ability to pay for what they consume including equipment, installation, commissioning, and support costs, all of which are included in the service level agreement (SLA). This innovative model gives customers the flexibility of a subscription-based pricing and service option instead of traditional capital equipment purchase and support model. This conserves capital, converts investment to an operating cost, and allows a customer to “pay as they go” for the use of the system.

RaaS also provides customers with the ability to scale up and down rapidly and easily in response to changing market conditions or seasonal demand such as the Holiday season, Back to School, January returns, and other seasonal events.

Tompkins Robotics, with its tSort robotic solution, has developed a reputation for execution of projects, rapid deployment, scalable layout design, understanding of US building codes, and knowledge of logistics operations. GRS brings the financial strength and resources of a global logistics real estate investor, developer, and operator. Together, Tompkins Robotics and GRS will bring new opportunities for US companies easy entry into automation and robotics.

Mike Futch, CEO of Tompkins Robotics, said: “The asset services support from our partnership with GRS will position Tompkins Robotics to implement a RaaS deployment for customers that prefer this model versus our existing capital procurement business model. In addition, our solutions have always had a reputation for being flexible, now we have the opportunity to allow financial flexibility as well.”

Hongming Chen, CEO of GRS, added: “Our vision is to accelerate the adoption of automation while lowering the barrier to entry for businesses when it comes to robotics technology. The subscription-based model of RaaS creates lower upfront capital requirements, reduced fixed costs and flexible lease terms which helps bridge the automation gap for many small to mid-size enterprises.

“A full package of services including consulting, implementation, maintenance, systems and robotics upgrading can all be provided as part of this service. With both parties expertise and resources, we look forward to expanding our cooperation with Tompkins in greater depth and breadth to provide a more holistic solution to our customers.”

 

Locus Robotics expands range with new AMRs

Posted on by David Priestman

Locus Robotics, a leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfilment warehouses, announced at MODEX that it has expanded its line of warehouse AMRs with the introduction of Locus Vector and Locus Max.

These new form factors join the Locus Origin robot to form a comprehensive family of AMRs for a broad range of warehouse use cases. The new line addresses use cases from ecommerce, case-picking, and pallet-picking to scenarios requiring larger, heavier payloads to support the full range of product movement needs in today’s fulfilment and distribution warehouses.

“With these new LocusBots, we’re able to help our clients alleviate significant labour challenges and achieve optimal productivity by using the right bot for the job,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “Locus is the proven leader in developing highly productive and innovative AMR technology that efficiently solves our customers’ needs for total warehouse optimisation, while delivering a fast time to value.”

“Locus’s innovative multi-bot solution has helped DHL to consistently double our workers’ productivity all around the world,” added Adrian Kumar, Global Head of Operations Science & Analytics at DHL Supply Chain. “This new robot line-up – with the different form factors all working together as a coordinated fleet – means we always assign the right robot, even as our needs change dynamically throughout the workday.”

The LocusBots are fully integrated within LocusOne, the intelligent, multi-bot warehouse orchestration platform that delivers predictable, efficient, and scalable productivity and cost optimisation for all product movement within the four walls of the warehouse. The platform seamlessly centralizes and coordinates a dynamic, multi-bot fleet while also providing detailed, forward-looking, and actionable business intelligence and reporting for effective management and planning.

The new offerings further extend Locus’s position as the industry AMR leader for the automation and digitisation of warehouses, distribution and fulfilment centres to meet increasing order volumes, labour shortages, and rising consumer expectations.

The new line of LocusBots consists of:

Locus Origin – Engineered for maximum warehouse efficiency, Locus Origin delivers proven fulfilment productivity coupled with agile manoeuvrability, incorporating the latest navigation and vision system technologies. It works easily and collaboratively with associates in dynamic warehouse environments.

Locus Vector – The industrial-strength AMR with the flexibility for a wide range of roles from fulfilment to transport to putaway. Locus Vector features omnidirectional mobility, compact design, and robust payload capacity for use in any environment. Locus Vector will ship to customers starting this summer.

Locus Max – Heavyweight payload capacity and unparalleled flexibility to easily transport a wide variety of heavy materials, cartons, or pallets across your facility. Locus Max is ideal for industrial and material handling applications. Currently deployed at several sites, Locus Max will have limited availability in 2022 and expanded availability in 2023.

All LocusBots will be available through the company’s all-inclusive, Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) pricing model and can be added to existing and new workflows, enabling operations to dynamically scale and adapt to changing market demands.

 

Cranfield expert-led seminar sessions at IMHX 2022 

Posted on by Keith McKinley

World-renowned specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield, has been named as the Academic Partner of the International Materials Handling Exhibition 2022 (IMHX). As IMHX 2022’s Academic Partner, Cranfield University will play a role in this year’s speaker programme which will run alongside the three-day exhibition of materials handling and intralogistics solutions, this Autumn (September 6-8, 2022) at the NEC, Birmingham, UK.

With two conferences at this year’s IMHX – The Logistics Conference 2022 and The Logistics Solutions Conference – sessions will be expert-led. They will feature a range of high-profile speakers chosen for their ability to provide valuable insights into achieving optimal performance within warehouse, fulfilment and distribution centre environments as well as across the wider supply chain.

The Logistics Conference 2022 will take the theme ‘Sustainability – People, Innovation & Infrastructure and Technology’, while in The Logistics Solutions Conference many of the advances in technology and product design that are driving efficiency gains throughout the logistics sector will be up for discussion.

IMHX 2022 Group Director Rob Fisher commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with such a respected organisation as Cranfield University. The presentations will deliver fresh insights into the ways supply chain strategies are shifting to meet the myriad challenges presented by changing consumer buying patterns, environmental issues and the ongoing workforce crisis.

“Along with Crown Lift Trucks and Intelligent Energy, Cranfield is also a sponsorship partner of the IMHX 2022 Sustainability Zone. This dynamic new feature will provide visitors to IMHX with insights into what is now a core competency for most businesses.”

Cranfield’s Professor Michael Bourlakis (pictured), Director of Research for Cranfield School of Management and the Director of the Centre of Logistics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, commented: “Logistics and supply chain operations have been hit by a series of major impacts over recent years. There is also a pressing need to ensure sustainability in every sense. These factors mean that it has never been more important to embrace strategic change and improvements across the industry.”

The UK’s premier logistics solutions and intralogistics technology event, IMHX showcases developments in technology and the latest storage and materials handling solutions from some of the world’s most innovative and influential manufacturers and suppliers.

IMHX 2022 is co-owned by Informa and the UK Materials Handling Association (formerly BITA – the British Industrial Truck Association) and the event enjoys cross-industry support from the UK’s leading logistics industry associations and trade bodies, including Automated Material Handling Systems Association (AMHSA), the UK Materials Handling Association (UKMHA), and the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA).

RightHand adds Vanderlande as a charter member

Posted on by David Priestman

RightHand Robotics, a leader in data-driven, autonomous robotic picking solutions for order fulfilment, has partnered with Vanderlande, a global market leader for future-proof logistic process automation in the warehousing, airports, and parcel sectors, to deploy piece-picking robots to meet the demands of general merchandise warehouses and distribution centres on a global scale.

In doing so, Vanderlande has added the RightHand Robotics award-winning RightPick item handling system to its Smart Item Robotics (SIR) portfolio of technologies, following the company’s strategy to accelerate the use of robotics in warehousing.

“The market wants integrated robotics that work, so we’ve tested the world’s leading robot solutions,” says Terry Verkuijlen, Vanderlande’s Vice President Warehouse Solutions. “Our findings showed that RightHand Robotics’ use of gripper technology, vision systems and software algorithms is the best fit for automated general merchandise warehouses.”

After testing several of the world’s leading robot-picking solutions, Vanderlande ultimately selected the RightHand Robotics solutions for its best-in-class features and capabilities, and because they are successfully functioning in warehouses today. As labour shortages continue to increase, the partnership will benefit Vanderlande’s customers as advanced automated picking becomes ubiquitous in an ever-demanding order fulfilment climate.

“We are pleased to be included with the Smart Item Robotics (SIR) portfolio of technologies,” said Leif Jentoft, CSO and Co-Founder at RightHand Robotics. “Warehouses are under increasing pressure to accelerate order fulfilment as ecommerce orders continue to rise. We look forward to helping Vanderlande meet the needs of customers worldwide and are honoured to meet their standards for advanced automated picking.”

The collaboration is managed as part of the RightHand Robotics Partner Integrator program, the company’s flagship strategic partnership initiative that makes it easier for end customers to adopt the RightPick platform while still working with their preferred automation suppliers. The program was launched to align business goals of system integrators, OEM technology providers, certified robot integrator partners, and other related sales alliance members. The program offers strategic, commercial, and technical engagement such that companies can develop and build comprehensive solutions that are Powered by RightHand Robotics RightPick piece-picking technology.

 

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