Industry Focus Warehousing & Logistics A positive impact on your bottom line
A shortage of time and resources can often be a barrier to warehouse and production managers who want to improve productivity. However, as Mike Alibone, SSI Schaefer business development and marketing manager explains, this is where efficient warehousing solutions come in
Left: the solution designed for Creativ Company was unique in that it was the first time SSI Schaefer com- bined the SSI
Autocruiser with its multiple LogiMat vertical storage lifts
units per hour. The idea was to create a semi-automated solution whereby the wagons, controlled by the warehouse management system, transport the SKUs to the different picking zones. This system was then comple- mented with LogiMat storage lifts. Eight LogiMat storage lifts were installed. These are a goods-to-man picking and space saving alternative for storing and order picking small parts in a compact and ergonomic way.
Compact and cost effective Each LogiMat has a small footprint saving up to 90% in storage space when compared to conventional static solu- tions. Their size is similar to an over- sized drawer cabinet with two stacks of trays (one in the front and one in the rear) and between those stacks a lift operates which extracts individual trays as required. The eight LogiMats installed for Creativ were six metres in height and in total provided a storage area equivalent to 1,000m2
.
very warehouse and production line manager is looking for ways to maximise efficiency and improve productivity levels whilst driving costs down. However, all too often there is a lack of time or resources to justify the changes needed to develop a streamlined, picture per- fect solution to achieving such gains. You can however make a signifi- cant impact on your bottom line by installing cost effective and efficient warehousing solutions. SSI Schaefer works in partnership with its cus- tomers to develop, design and imple- ment innovative and cost effective solutions, unique to the needs of the individual client.
E
A Scandanivian example Showcasing this approach is the system that SSI Schaefer installed at Creativ
Company in Denmark.
Creativ Company is a global supplier of hobby and educational items. To enable future expansion they knew they had to take their first steps into automation to free-up resources. The company set very clear objectives for the project, which included maximis- ing and optimising storage capacity, increasing efficiency at order picking and reducing labour by minimising unneces- sary handling. Freeing-up resources for further expansion to accommodate the future growth of the company and making a viable return on the investment were also key elements of the project, while using just one supplier was also an
24 important consideration.
The solution designed for Creativ Company was unique in that it was the first time SSI Schaefer combined the SSI Autocruiser with its multiple LogiMat vertical storage lifts to improve the handling and speed of both picking and storage tasks. The Autocruiser bridges the gap between forklift truck transport and conventional conveyor technology. The system can connect different pro- duction lines to the warehouse and can supply tools to staff and machinery - connecting buildings and handling spe- cial items and returns. Designed for low to medium throughput, it reaches a maximum efficiency of 600 units per hour and makes handling and picking storage tasks highly efficient. No special skills are required to install the Autocruiser. It is well suited for industrial manufacturing and assembly operations designed to carry loads of between 1kg and 30kg and has what is best described as ‘intelligent power supply’. The entire system is connected to the standard power net- work and each carrier or ‘wagon’ on the Autocruiser uses batteries, which can be recharged at several stations along the tracks. However, the batter- ies will also be recharged during any loading or unloading stop, making unscheduled charging cycles an absolute exception. For Creativ Company a 300m long
track was installed, along which 27 SSI Autocruiser ‘wagons’ transport 300-450
FEBRUARY 2014 Automation
Creativ Company now has a combina- tion of lightweight tracks and storage lifts to provide a sound basis for its future expansion. Jacob Andersen, supply chain manager at Creativ Company, com- mented, “It was important that the initial phase of the installation was completed during operation in the off-peak season and during the holidays in July and August, including the software, platform, track network and LogiMat. We chose SSI Schaefer as our supplier to ensure future growth. The solution was an excellent combination of lightweight tracks and storage lifts. The company has brought a high degree of accuracy and professional approach to the table during the very short project phase.”
SSI Schaefer
www.ssi-schaefer.co.uk T: 01264 386 600
Right: for Creativ Company to enable future expansion they knew they had to take their first steps into automation to free-up resources
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