Storage and retrieval machines with fully automated picking systems

The level of automation involved in logistics is steadily increasing as is the demand for reliable, economical and optimised technical solutions that enable automation devices to be used for particular picking tasks. The objective is to achieve fully automated picking systems which are ultimately profitable when used in highthroughput applications with continuous material flow.

Manual picking is proving to be far more efficient these days thanks to automated systems which handle and present unit loads to the picker. Distribution centres with smaller storage volumes and lower throughputs benefit from automated control systems which facilitate the picking process. As storage volume increases, the next logical step is to integrate fully automated picking devices such as gantry- or six-axis-robots, whilst the final stage on the evolutionary ladder is to incorporate these devices directly onto storage and retrieval machines within the warehouse racking aisles. This enables the products to be picked from source pallets within the racks, and assembled onto picking pallets mounted on the storage and retrieval machine lifting carriage, following which the loads may be transferred from the storage zone using conveying equipment. In such systems, fully automated picking saves time, space and energy and guarantees a minimal error rate.

Diverse areas of application

This principle can be applied to a variety of load handling devices and picking processes and is therefore suitable for all warehousing sectors. MLOG has already successfully implemented several of these solutions for various companies including those involved in the furniture industry, for whom an automated storage and picking concept for flat goods has been developed. The concept stands out for its efficiency, involving technology which carefully handles awkwardly shaped parts such as front- and side-panels as well as kitchen work surfaces. Furniture and kitchen manufacturers usually stock these parts in large volumes to ensure that they are readily available to production, and to allow a fast and flexible reaction to new trends. Because of the individual stock dimensions, the storage of furniture parts is extremely space consuming, particularly as these parts cannot be stacked very high
due to their weight. However, large volumes can be stored on a relatively small footprint in high-bay warehouses. By storing panel stacks weighing up to 4.0 tons in rack locations up to three-deep on several levels and across several aisles it is possible to store large capacities even on small sites.

Careful handling

The MLOG storage and retrieval machines mainly used in the furniture industry include the “MSINGLE” as well as the high-capacity twin-mast “MTWIN” machines which are particularly suitable for lifting large, heavy loads. High quality parts are lifted “as though with a velvet glove” by the specially developed vacuum grippers, which despite their gentle touch are capable of generating enormous forces. The grippers pick up individual panels up to six meters long and 2.5 meters wide,
and place them into (or remove them from) storage. Telescopic cross-beams travel forwards simultaneously, and are then lowered to the relevant stack height to remove the upper panel. The number of cross-beams can vary depending on the weight and size of the parts. A further advantage of this process is that it is possible to access the rearmost stack without needing to remove any parts from in front of it. The panels are them assembled into a single stack on the storage and retrieval machine following which they are conveyed into the factory.

Fast and reliable

Storage and retrieval machines featuring fully-automated picking systems can
increase efficiency in high-bay warehouses tremendously. For example, it takes just 18 seconds to complete the picking process for a tall cupboard. Taking downtime into account, such as the time taken for the storage and retrieval machine to travel to the next rack location, a single storage and retrieval machine can pick around 2,400 kitchen furniture parts in twenty hours.

Contact
Frank Labes
phone +49 (0) 5208.9133-11
fax       +49 (0) 5208.9133-10
flabes[at]mlog-logistics.com