Presse release - Supply Chain Automation
And the winner is Westfalia: Westfalia wins Logimat Best Product 2008 award – independent logistics experts honour overhead storage and retrieval vehicle in the category “supply, store, convey”.
19 February 2008 – rejoicing in Borgholzhausen and Stuttgart. The six-strong Logimat panel of experts announced: “The winner is Westfalia.” The overhead storage automation technology won the coveted intralogistics prize for 2008 in the category “supply, store, convey”. The judges praised the successful further development of the overhead storage and retrieval machines (SRMs).
Successful teamwork helps refine technology still further
Dr. Mirko Doerk, managing director of Westfalia subsidiary TransStore, and Andreas Ulisch, managing director of Westfalia Logistics Software, accepted the award on behalf of the design team on 19 February 2008 in Stuttgart. “We’re delighted to have been awarded this prestigious logistics prize. And we’re immensely proud of what our engineers and software designers have achieved. The award is due compensation for more than two years of hard work and ongoing design modifications”, commented Dr. Mirko Doerk. Just two years ago, Westfalia acquired one technology from Krusche Lagertechnik AG and founded the subsidiary TransStore with Doerk. Since then, mechanical engineers and software designers have continued to refine the overhead storage automation technology.“ In practice, mechanical engineering and the Savanna.net software have proved equally important to the floor-free storage and retrieval machine project. Projects for the Swiss companies Bourquin and Sika, as well as an ongoing one for international logistics service provider Dachser due for completion this year, have boosted innovation and fostered technological breakthrough”, added Andreas Ulisch.
Independent panel of leading experts
On the panel of experts were Prof. Dr. Willibald A. Günthner, Conveying Technology/Material Flow/Logistics for the VDI (Association of German Engineers), Dipl. Ing. Norbert Hamke, editor-in-chief of “Hebezeuge Fördermittel”, Prof. Dr. Rolf Jansen, VVL Institute of Distribution and Commercial Logistics, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolf Michael Scheid, VDI Logistics Division, Tobias Schweikl, editor-in-chief of “Logistra”, and Dr. Petra Seebauer, editor-in-chief of “Logistik heute”.
Background information: Innovative overhead storage automation
floor-free storage and retrieval machines run on rails at the uppermost storage level. The rails are integrated in the steel construction. The device comprises a transfer unit (trolley) and a vertically moving lifting platform fitted with the load-carrying device required. Four wire cables connect the two elements to each other, allowing simultaneous transfer and lifting motions. The system’s scalability and flexibility guarantees a high degree of efficiency. When handling volume is low, one device can service several aisles.
The unique transfer unit enables the unit to switch aisles overhead. For warehouses with a slow turnover this represents a space-saving and cost-effective way of automating operations. For fast-moving warehouses – for instance the Sika project – two floor-free storage and retrieval machines can be allocated per aisle. This opens up new ways of increasing performance and throughput in a confined space. The technology does not require any special modifications to be made to the load capacity or surface of the warehouse slab. Floor-free storage and retrieval machines can therefore be easily integrated into existing warehouses and incur fewer costs when it comes to new builds. The overhead technology gets around potential structural obstacles such as varying floor heights in the warehouse or picking tunnel – without the need for complicated transfer and conveying technology.
As an automation system for warehouses and logistics centres, the floor-free storage and retrieval machine offers numerous potential savings – in terms of warehousing staff, for instance, by replacing forklift traffic.
Savanna.NET® – floor-free storage and retrieval machines controlled by modular logistics software
The modular scalable logistics software Savanna.net supports the automation of all kinds of logistics systems and can be connected to higher-level enterprise resource planning systems (ERP), such as SAP, using certified interfaces. In the floor-free storage and retrieval machine system, for instance, the travel path of devices is controlled by the module .move. The model-based travel path controller illustrated in the .move module is responsible for calculating optimum speed and acceleration. This helps minimise any oscillation of the device and goods being transported. In addition, the software saves all movement data for the purpose of optimising throughput and monitoring unit wear and tear.
LogiMAT, Hall 4, Stand 407
At this year’s Logimat, Westfalia will be exhibiting supply chain automation projects and products from its Storage Systems, Loading Systems and Logistics Software divisions – Stand 407, Hall 4.
About Westfalia
Westfalia is an expert in supply chain automation. The company designs, manufactures and installs automatic storage, conveyor and order-picking systems (e.g., high-bay warehouses). Automation of the entire supply chain includes the control and IT connection of systems to logistics software such as the company’s own Savanna.net. Westfalia also links in-house and transport logistics (e.g., by means of automatic loading and unloading systems for lorries, such as SpeedLoaders, or automatic load securing systems such as AirProtect). The maintenance, modernisation, and extension of systems guarantees long-term customer partnerships. In its over 35-year history, Westfalia has automated more than 650 logistics systems worldwide. The headquarters of the proprietor-managed family company is Borgholzhausen, located between Bielefeld and Osnabrück. The company employs a workforce of approximately 300, distributed between locations in Europe and the USA.
Westfalia on the internet
www.westfaliaeurope.com
www.savanna.com
www.westfaliacarpark.com
www.westfaliausa.com
Westfalia Logistics Solutions GmbH & Co. KG
Corporate Press Office - Mr. Christian Meyer
E-Mail:c.meyer[at]WestfaliaEurope.com
Tel. +49 (0)5425 808 907 - Fax +49 (0) 5425 808 901
Industriestrasse 11 – 33829 Borgholzhausen – Germany
