Solutions for automated and manual warehouses
October 14th 2008 Swisslog is a worldwide supplier of integrated supply chain solutions for warehouses and distribution centres. Their extensive portfolio covers consultancy at tactical (concept design) and strategic level (supply chain design), acting as turnkey provider of logistics systems, construction of complex warehouses and distribution centres through to maintenance and upgrades of existing systems. Moreover Swisslog have their own, standard, software with incorporated functionality at all control levels, namely: Warehouse Management (WMS), Material Flow Control (MFCS) and System Control (PLC).
Swisslog’s solutions optimise logistical and distribution processes for their customers, offering flexibility, whilst minimizing costs and providing continuous improvement. With years of experience in the development and implementation of integrated logistics solutions, Swisslog provide the expertise where customers in more than 50 countries around the world rely on.
Finding the correct solution for a customer frequently starts with a concept study. At the concept study stage several logistics solutions will be presented, from which a number of concepts is chosen to develop in detail. Out of this process the final design solution will be brought forward to the implementation phase.
Bristan are one of the customers who have worked together with Swisslog from concept study to implementation. The Bristan Group is the UK’s largest supplier of bathroom and kitchen fittings. When Bristan decided to consolidate distribution onto one site, they engaged Swisslog to carry out an initial study of the feasibility of the warehouse and to provide costing for the customer’s Business Case. After a tendering stage Swisslog were awarded the order to design and implement the DC. The Bristan DC combines zone picking with replenishment from VNA storage.
In addition Swisslog installed carousels for spare part storage and picking. Bristan also use Swisslog WarehouseManager to operate the warehouse.
Apart from their expertise in consultancy, Swisslog’s strength lies in the implementation of logistical projects with an operational performance guarantee and high system availability. An example of how the cooperation between the customer and Swisslog, as general contractor for logistics has resulted in an innovative solution is demonstrated by the Quinn Radiators site at Newport.
Effective cooperation between Swisslog and the Quinn Radiators team resulted in the design for a facility where adaptation of traditional automated materials handling equipment together with the integration of the different parts has resulted in an innovative automated storage and picking operation.
The system is set up to deal with numerous sizes of pallets and radiators. The materials handling equipment has been adjusted to deal with these different sizes. Therefore the chain conveyors have been fitted with bridging wheels at junctions to ensure a smooth ride and the 6 automated stacker cranes in the 40m high double-deep highbay have been equipped with telescopic forks and fork spread adjustment. Furthermore each rack in the automated store has been fitted with 5 top hats per double pallet bay.
Immediately adjacent to the high bay is the robot pick area where customer orders are automatically picked and assembled on despatch pallets. Through product innovation a unique picking robot has been created, utilising a magnetic head which adapts to the size and weight of each radiator. Each of the 3 gantry robots pick to order pallets at a rate of 120 picks (or radiators) per hour. In addition Swisslog has provided the WMS, WCS, Voice Picking and a unique pallet build module, enabling Quinn to automatically build mixed SKU customer orders.
Over the previous years the market has changed from the storage and picking of full pallets to storage and picking of cases, totes, etc. Swisslog are helping their customers deal with this change by providing fully automatic systems for the picking of cases, ergonomic picking of small quantities to pallets and storage in miniload systems. Under pressure of increased cost of labour, higher prices for land and health & safety regulations, operations which traditionally have been labour-intensive will in the future be more efficient and cost saving through the use of automation. More articles from Swisslog (UK) Ltd: | 
