Dematic Partners with Kollmorgen for LaserTrucks+ Driverless Order Fulfillment Solution
New order picking method dramatically increases picker productivity
Grand Rapids, Mich. - Dematic, an integrator and supplier of logistics systems for factories, warehouses and distribution centers around the world, has partnered with Kollmorgen, a manufacturer of driverless control technology, to provide a new order fulfillment solution called LaserTrucks+. Dematic will utilize Kollmorgen Pick-n-Go® laser guidance and vehicle control systems as a core component of the new Dematic LaserTrucks+ order fulfillment solution. Dematic LaserTrucks+ is a complete, seamlessly integrated, voice-directed and driverless laser-guided pallet truck solution that dramatically increases case picking productivity by eliminating non-productive steps.
"We selected Kollmorgen for this important module of the LaserTrucks+ solution because of their engineering savvy and expertise, as well as their advanced laser guidance and control technology that provides the robust performance demanded by our customers," says Frank Rossi, Manager, NA Business Development for Dematic.
Benny Forsman, Business Unit Manager for Kollmorgen, added, "We are pleased to support Dematic with our complete Pick-n-Go system. The scalable and field-proven technology is an ideal complement to the Dematic LaserTrucks + system by freeing the experts at Dematic to focus on what they do best - putting all of the pieces together to deliver a truly leading edge picking solution that will improve productivity and reduce costs for their customers."
LaserTrucks+: Maximizing Case Picking Productivity
By eliminating the non-value added tasks associated with a typical case picking operation, LaserTrucks+ has the potential to double picking productivity, while retaining the flexibility of manual systems. At the start of an order, the LaserTrucks+ delivers a new pallet directly to the picker. Further optimizing picker productivity and accuracy is achieved through integrated Voice Picking technology. The Voice Picking feature enables the picker's hands to remain free to promote faster and more ergonomically-friendly picking. The pallet truck automatically moves with the Voice-equipped picker as they verbally confirm picks, and transports the completed pallet to shipping while the next LaserTruck brings a new pallet to the picker. The case picking productivity increases as operators are freed up to focus solely on picking.
Software Integration
The Dematic Warehouse Control System integrates LaserTrucks+ with a WMS or ERP. It provides real time management and complete transparency of your LaserTrucks+ operation, including management information and decision support, order prioritization, order status, productivity statistics and reports, and workload analysis and reports. Everything required to optimize, manage and control the system is provided.
Summary of Benefits
Laser Truck+ benefits include:
o Increase in picking productivity (1.5X - 2X)
o Increase order accuracy
o High flexibility
o Ease of upgrading and optimizing manual systems
o Improved operator safety
o Reduced product damage
o Reduced truck and rack damage
o Reduced energy consumption
o Reduced noise in the work environment
o Real-time transport and picking management
o Flexible to changing operational requirements
o Applicable to new and existing sites
About Dematic Corp. - Dematic designs, implements and life cycle supports logistics systems for the factory, warehouse, & distribution center. Engineered systems are built around process improvements, automated material handling technologies, and software. Typical solutions optimize logistics performance by reducing building space requirements, fulfillment time, and labor to operate while increasing throughput, accuracy, and ergonomics.
Dematic is a global company with operations in 22 countries. North American presence includes an engineering/manufacturing headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and 18 sales/engineering/service offices. Prior to adopting the Dematic name, the company was known as Rapistan. For more Dematic information, visit www.dematic.us or e-mail at USinfo@dematic.com.
About Kollmorgen Corp. - Kollmorgen is a leading provider of motion systems and components for machine builders around the globe, with over 60 years of motion control design and application expertise.
Through world-class knowledge in motion, industry-leading quality and marketshare, and 35 years of proven performance in driverless control technology, Kollmorgen continues to deliver breakthrough driverless control solutions unmatched in performance, reliability and ease-of-use, giving warehouse operations an irrefutable marketplace advantage. Kollmorgen technology and expertise was integral to the world's first:
o Automobile production plant with driverless vehicles (Volvo, Sweden, 1972)
o Laser-guided vehicle (Tetra Pak, Singapore, 1990)
o Pick-n-Go system (Marktkauf, Germany, 2007)
o Driverless vehicle with 16 controlled wheels (Posco Steel, South Korea, 2009)
For more information visit www.pick-n-go.com and www.ndcsuite.com, email na.pickngo@kollmorgen.com or call 1-540-467-3086.
Ken Ruehrdanz
Dematic Corp. (www.dematic.us)
507 Plymouth Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
kenneth.ruehrdanz@dematic.com
office: 616-913-5931
mobile: 616-516-0892
