SECTORS

Problem
Asked to optimize Agie Charmilles, we responded with a double automation able to act as a “driving force” warehouse for components and semifinished products. With an improvement of internal logistic, a reorganization and traceability of the production process, and a reduction of the work in progress times,we improved the speed of response to the customers’ needs.

Solution
The investment was made in two main steps:

Mini-load warehouse,activated in 2013. We created a small “driving force” warehouse, simple and fast. This was dedicated to components and small semi-finished products stored in boxes, connected at its best to the mechanical process lines and assembly departments.
Self-supporting warehouse, operational since January 2015. This was dedicated to large semi-finished products stores on EuroPallets from various sources: external suppliers and internal processes; the area allows the storage of 3,520 pallets. Last but not least, we were abe to free up important space in the plant to be used use as future production lines.

BOX DETAIL INFORMATION
Phase 1 – Miniload Warehouse

4 straight bays with picking,
2 straight bays for refilling,
Control system and security management,
Software PLC and Software WMS.
Length: 18.99 m
Width: 6.00 m
Underbeam height: 7.48 m
Levels: 22
Upright Width :60mmNominal capacity of warehouse: 860 positions •
Maximum potential locations: 13,255
Effective references number(current locations used):8,026
SKU Weight: 250 kg max
Cycles per Hr:80

Phase 2 – Automated Self Supporting Warehouse

Length: 55,9 m
Width :13,5 m
Height 14.0 m min
Capacity: 3,520 positions
Reference number loadable: 13,255 ( Multiple products in the same location)
SKU: pallets with footboard type E-PAL 8 different weight and size.
Heaviest SKU: 1.000 kg
Cycles per hr: 25.7

“The logistic culture is changing: if before the warehouse was a dark area, to keep almost hidden, today is the very essence of the plant, its flagship, to display exactly as they do the great restaurants with their own kitchens”.

So thinks Santiago Vitória, Internal Logistic Manager for Agie Charmilles SA in Losone, about the Automha’s warehouse.