AutoStore® small parts warehouse for the Plauen subsidiary of Window Fashion AG
LYSEL®, the German base of the Swiss Window Fashion AG, offers tailor-made sun protection solutions as well as ready-made window decoration. Hörmann Logistik has set up an AutoStore® in an existing hall for the storage and picking of the product range for www.heimtextilien.com and other online customers.
Concept
Hörmann developed several system models for the customised design of the AutoStore® system. Along with the customer requirements of Window Fashion AG and LYSEL®, the simulations resulted in a system configuration with approx. 2,000 bins measuring 649 x 449 x 330 mm (L x W x H) on 12 levels. Two robots and two loading stations enable the articles to be stored and retrieved. The Carousel Port, the system for incoming goods and picking, serves for loading and unloading. The system design includes a future expansion to approximately 3,250 bins and a second Carousel Port. The future use of additional robots is also already part of the overall planning.
The AutoStore® system consists of an aluminium grid system covered on one end face with a total size of 8.3 m x 12.8 m x 4.1 m (L x W x H), excluding the service platform. Within the grid, stacks of 12 bins each stand directly on the hall floor.
The two 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 them at the carousel port. 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 150 storage and retrieval operations per day.
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 innovative AutoStore® system convinces with its compact layout and flexibility. Extensions are possible through additional ports, additional robots or the expansion of the grid.
The AutoStore® small parts warehouse was commissioned in late summer 2018.
