Feature Materials handling & conveyors
Order buffer system boosts productivity
Automated warehouse solution provider TGW Logistics has delivered a dynamic order buffer system for Böllhoff
eadquartered in Bielefeld in Germany, Böllhoff is a special- ist in the manufacture and dis- tribution of metal and plastic fasteners and joining solutions. To be able to optimally handle its many operational processes, the company analysed its logistics operations with an external consultant and then invested in an automated system, which was designed, supplied and installed by TGW.
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TGW implemented its Commissioner automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) at Böllhoff’s headquarters last year. The solution, which also con- sisted of new conveyor equipment, was integrated into Böllhoff’s existing mate- rials handling system. The new equip- ment worked in tandem with the existing conveyor system allowing the company to handle thousands of tote movements every day and optimise multiple areas of the logistics centre.
TGW Logistics has installed an automated warehouse solution for Böllhoff
TGW Logistics T: 01858 468 855
tgw-group.com Enter 374
Photoelectric sensor suits conveyor apps S
Right-angle and straight cylindrical one-piece metal and plastic housings ensure the GR18S has the versatility for
retro-fitting as original equipment replacement and, with its IP67 rating, it will withstand tough conditions. “The GR18S uses Sick’s PinPoint LED technology to deliver robust performance even in the tightest of spaces,” explains Phil Dyas, industrial sensors specialist at Sick UK. “The PinPoint development eliminates the inherent limitations of con- ventional LEDs to produce accurate spots for proximity, retro-reflective or through-beam sensing in a very competitively priced unit. The GR18S is available with five different M18-size housing styles offering very versatile mounting options. The bright signal indicator LED shows the unit is functioning and the high security fastening prevents accidental loosening. “Sick is also able to offer a customised GR18S cylindrical sensor to meet specific needs factory and logistic automa- tion applications and our engineering team can deliver tailored sensors within a short lead time,” says Dyas. Sick UK
T: 01727 831121 S26
www.sick.com Enter 375
“Today, the goods receiving, order picking and shipping areas work inde- pendently from each other,” explains Sebastian Rose, technical director at Böllhoff. “The Commissioner storage buffer ensures that overloading on one area does not negatively influence the operations in other areas.”
In addition to isolating these processes, the solution has maximised the hourly storage and retrieval rate whilst also using significantly less energy than the conveyor loop buffer that was used previously. To ensure Böllhoff’s daily opera- tions were unaffected during the installation, TGW engineers erected the conveyor system and inserted the Commissioner lifting beams outside of normal operating hours. TGW also mapped the complex strategies for the flexible retrieval of orders from the buffer using its own warehouse con- trol software CI_LOG, which it inter- faced with Böllhoff’s own WMS. Since going into live operation,
TGW’s automated solution has suc- ceeded in increasing productivity across Böllhoff’s entire logistics centre.
Pallet dispenser range extended
rillopak is extending its range of in-line over conveyor pallet dispensers for the food industry with an all-electric model.
B
ick has launched the SICK GR18S photoelectric sensor to provide a universal solution to cost-effective presence and positioning detection performance
from the most constrained access locations. With the shortest cylindrical housings currently available, the rugged and versatile GR18S family of products are designed for easy mounting. The GR18S is therefore suitable for logistics automation in a variety of industries, for example for storage, conveyor, doors and gate applications in materials handling, logistics and packaging.
The 2010E requires no air supply and is capable of stacking and destacking pallets at up to 120 pallets per hour. Key to its fast speed is its automatic adjustment feature which enables the machine to adapt to different sizes of pallet without the need for any manual adjustment. The robust design of the pallet dispenser incorporates high quality components including SEW Eurodrive and Norgen, ensuring the machine is capable of reliable 24/7 operation. It features compact dimensions to enable it to fit into virtually any factory space combined with the flexibility to cope with short and long runs and the ability to integrate seamlessly with all equipment on the line. Simple controls and easy-to-understand
error messaging mean the 2010E can be operated by unskilled staff, while Brillopak’s Mem-plus system helps ensure near instant restarts after any downtime. The pallet dispenser can handle most pallet types and can deal with 2-way and 4-way pallets. Brillopak T: 01622 872907
www.brillopak.co.uk
Enter 376 MARCH/APRIL 2013 Materials Handling & Logistics
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