Modular storage system available in compact version
Intralogistics and automation specialist cts GmbH has launched its successful Smart In-Production Warehouse for the electronics and automotive industries in compact form. The flexible and automated Mini Smart Warehouse is suitable for capacities from 80 to 280 PCB magazines and can now even be used in clean rooms. The new storage system uses the same state-of-the-art technologies as the established Smart Warehouse.
In the Smart In-Production Warehouse, PCB magazines or, with modifications, standardized small load carriers (KLT boxes) can be temporarily stored near production lines. The automated, compact warehouse saves space and transport distances. Storage and retrieval can be fully automated.
“Many customers asked for a smaller variant in the range well below 400 units,” says Philipp Eberherr, Head of Smart Logistics at cts GmbH. “With the Mini Smart Warehouse, we now have a suitable storage system in a very compact design in our portfolio.”
With a narrow footprint of only four to five meters edge length, the standard version of the new Mini Smart Warehouse already offers space for 80 to 200 units. It can be expanded to a maximum of 280 rack locations. As with the large version, the Mini Smart Warehouse can be customized according to customer requirements. An automated gripping system inside is controlled by intelligent algorithms to ensure the most efficient retrieval and storage possible.
The I/O port of the Mini Smart Warehouse can be supplied or disposed of with material either manually or fully automatically by autonomous vehicles (AMRs — Autonomous Mobile Robots). State-of-the-art software makes flexible integration into the production process possible and offers maximum traceability. With this combination of warehouse and AMR systems, cts provides an integrated, flexible and fully networked storage system for effective transport and storage of PCB magazines and KLT boxes.
Further, compared to the large version, the Mini Smart Warehouse makes far fewer demands on the surface, which increases the area of application and reduces the installation effort. This makes the Mini Smart Warehouse suitable for cleanrooms up to Class 6.
“Customers remain flexible in terms of dimensioning and scaling in any case,” emphasizes Eberherr. “If customers need more buffer storage in production, they can cascade the Mini Smart Warehouse or combine it with the large variant. All storage systems are compatible on the software side and can be combined as required.”
Storage and retrieval takes place via identification features such as RFID chips or DMC/barcodes. Open REST (Representational State Transfer) interfaces enable efficient connection to manufacturing management and material requirements planning systems (MES and ERP). Like the hardware, the algorithms for optimizing storage and retrieval are freely configurable. In principle, access to the control system is possible with any browser-capable end device.
“With the Mini Smart Warehouse, cts has also built on its many years of experience in intralogistics as well as AMR fleets,” Eberherr continues. „The new, compact storage system not only rounds off our product portfolio at the bottom end. It also opens up completely new areas of application in semiconductor manufacturing, which is becoming increasingly important in Germany. Regardless of whether memory requirements are large or small, in the factory or in the clean room: our flexible systems and our experienced development team offer the optimum product for every customer.”
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