AutoStore® finished parts warehouse for Michael Pentz GmbH & Co Spannelemente KG in Illertissen
Concept
For the customised design of the AutoStore® system, Hörmann Logistik performed, during the planning phase, several system simulations with real data from the company Michael Pentz. The required operating times (8 hours per day, 5 days per week), together with other customer requirements and the simulation results, led to a system configuration with a total capacity of approx. 10,000 bins measuring 649 mm x 449 mm x 330 mm (L x W x H) on 18 levels. 5 autonomous robots serve and dispose two carousel workstations for goods receipt and issue. The AutoStore® system consists of an aluminium grid system covered on one side with a total size of 10.2 m x 19.9 m x 4.1 m (L x W x H), excluding the service platform.
Within the grid, stacks of 18 bins each stand directly on the hall floor. The battery-powered, autonomous robots move on the grid rail system above the bin stacks. They pick up the bins, re-sort them as required and serve for supply and disposal of the two consignment workstations. The maximum total weight of the bins is 35 kg with a net payload of around 30 kg. A weighing unit at the ports prevents exceeding the maximum weight. Separating inserts in the bins allow flexible use for several articles at the same time.
Four pairs of wheels move the robots in two directions. Their geometry allows them to reach any position in the grid. They communicate via WLAN with the AutoStore control system, which assigns the transport orders to the individual robots. If the order load is low or the battery capacity is too low, the robots drive automatically to one of the charging stations located at the edge of the grid. The AutoStore control is located on the adjacent service platform.
The robots move on the grid with an acceleration of 0.8 m/s² and a speed of 3.1 m/s.
The system is suitable for 600 storage and retrieval operations per day.
HiLIS AS, the warehouse management and control system specially designed for AutoStore®, controls the system. AutoStore® "only" knows the bin number in the system, but not its contents. The higher-level HiLIS AS warehouse management and control system knows the contents of each bin, manages and controls the AutoStore® system and implements all logistical processes including interfaces to the ERP system. The understandable, graphical user interface of HiLIS AS provides clear working and picking instructions via touch screen. In addition, HiLIS AS supports permanent inventory processes, empty bin insertion, status dialogues, special access to the bins and much more.
AutoStore® takes over complete picking orders (task group) with all individual picking positions (task) at a lead-time of 30 minutes. AutoStore® with its integrated optimization algorithms ensures maximum efficiency in the processing of orders.
The assembly of the AutoStore® finished parts warehouse of Michael Pentz GmbH & Co Spannelemente KG will start in October 2019, with commissioning expected to take place in December 2019.
