Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)
At NA 2010 Westfalia Technologies, Inc. and Kuka Systems Present: "Integration of AS/RS with High Speed Layer Picking - an Integrated Warehouse Logistics Solution"
Utilizing AS/RS Satellite® Technology, Robotic Palletizing, and WMS Together for Completely Integrated Warehouse Logistics
YORK, Pa., - As companies are seeking to reap the benefits of a fully integrated supply chain, it is crucial to find partners who know how to bring all the facets of warehouse logistics to maximum efficiency. Westfalia Technologies, Inc. and KUKA Systems have just the experience and partnership for completely integrated warehouse logistics: High Density Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) linked directly to Robotic Picking and Palletizing, all of which is controlled and optimized with Savanna.NET® Warehouse Management Software (WMS).
NA 2010 Presentation: "Integration of AS/RS with High Speed Layer Picking - The Solution to Integrated Warehouse Logistics"
At NA 2010, Westfalia and KUKA will present a 45 minute presentation on the "Integration of AS/RS with High Speed Layer Picking - The Solution to Integrated Warehouse Logistics" on April 27th. We will present AS/RS & High Speed Layer Picking experience garnered from the multiple projects we designed together, particularly for the food and beverage industries. The distribution process now requires the utmost flexibility and highest productivity from modern warehouse and logistics solutions. These requirements can only be met with innovative automation concepts. Together Westfalia and KUKA have the experience to bring to reality the benefits of an integrated warehouse logistics solution which many supply chain executives are seeking.
High Density AS/RS - Maximizing Cubic Storage Space
Westfalia's warehouse system designs are based on their multiple deep Satellite® technology, which provides the ability to create a dense storage system utilizing 1- to 12-deep pallet storage lanes. Starting from each facility's specific inventory statistics, Westfalia's engineers design the AS/RS to meet the needs of both high moving and slow moving inventory. With the ability to store pallets in varying lane depths, the Satellite technology provides a high degree of flexibility often unavailable in competitors' systems. Westfalia's AS/RS maximize storage space and provide significant operational savings in labor costs, energy costs and more.
Using Westfalia's Satellite® Instead of Conveyors to Feed Layer Palletizing
A key advantage garnered from the Westfalia/KUKA partnership is the design improvements that have led to the need for fewer conveyors. Fewer conveyors in the system make it easier to automate smaller, existing facilities (thus greater space utilization) while also meeting or exceeding the throughput rates required by customers. Specifically, Westfalia's Satellite® rack entry vehicle operates directly off the Storage/Retrieval Machine (SRM) to transfer pallet loads directly out of storage into the palletizing area, thus linking reserve storage with pick faces. This Satellite® can be used as a chain conveyor by only moving its upper chains. Depositing pallets onto an output conveyor is simple and fast.
Palletizing in Layer and Mixed Layers
KUKA's high speed robotic palletizers are integrated into the warehouse design for high speed layer picking and palletizing, mixed layer picking and palletizing, layer forming, depalletizing, merchandiser stacking and more. With KUKA proven tools an integrated robotic solution can interface with Westfalia's Savanna.NET® Warehouse Management System (WMS). This total integration ensures a high level of accuracy and flexibility in handling multiple package types that out-performs many traditional depalletizing solutions. Due to rising industry demands, KUKA has developed a completely integrated mixed palletizing solution that allows the order packages to flow to a robotic handling cell that can then palletize them independent of package types or sizes.
Savanna.NET® WMS Controls, Manages and Optimizing all Product Flows
The core of the integrated order management is Savanna.NET® Warehouse Management Software which plans, tracks, manages and reports in real time all product flows throughout a facility. Of vital importance to robotic palletizing is the calculation of "ideal" pallets based on parameters derived from various rule groups -- such as starting with full layers, considering stacking rules, created mixed layers based on package type's class, usage of know pallet pattern templates for mixed layers - and all these product movements are controlled via Westfalia's Savanna.NET® WMS.
About Westfalia Technologies, Inc. (www.WestfaliaUSA.com)
Westfalia Technologies, Inc. is a leader in providing logistics software and material handling equipment for plants, warehouses and distribution centers. Their expertise in combining software (WMS) development with automated equipment manufacturing reveals Westfalia's ability to deliver turn-key solutions to meet each client's specific needs with unsurpassed quality and control. To learn more about Westfalia's products, including Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) and Savanna.NET® Warehouse Management Systems, visit www.WestfaliaUSA.com.
About Kuka Systems North America (www.KUKAUSA.com)
KUKA Systems North America is the leading partner for developing, implementing, and launching robot-based logistics solutions for general industry. Our fields of competence include end-of-line palletizing, depalletizing, mixed product palletizing, and engineering & consulting services for overall distribution and warehouse storage as well as order fulfillment generation. Choosing KUKA Logistics means having the right partner for developing the right solution to meet your material handling and return on investment needs. To learn more about KUKA solutions and services through Robogistics(TM), visit www.kukausa.com.
Contact:
Laura Worker
Marketing Manager
Westfalia Technologies, Inc.
3655 Sandhurst Drive
York, PA 17406
Office #: 717-764-1115, ext. 111
Cell #: 717-676-1706
lworker@westfaliaUSA.com
www.WestfaliaUSA.com
Brian Keiger
Technology Sales
KUKA Systems NA
704-806-7582
brian.keiger@kukanao.com
