Logistics as the Driver for Digitalisation in the Industrial Sector

Intelligent production logistics is the basis for just-in-time and just-in-sequence concepts, especially in assembly workplaces, where an incorrect delivery immediately leads to downtime and incurs high costs. Automatic warehouses and conveyor systems are complemented by mobile robots that can react flexibly to new production structures.

At the chassis manufacturer KW automotive, the task was to implement the entire intralogistics in the form of automated warehouses and modern conveyor technology as well as a Pick-to-Light system (PTL) in the Built-to-Order production, to integrate it into a flexible production structure and to network it with each other.

At the GEBHARDT Innovation Center at the Sinsheim site, the GEBHARDT Intralogistics Group presents the perfect interaction of the company's own intralogistics solutions, software and IoT applications to its customers and interested parties. All under realistic storage and order-picking conditions. “To perfectly automate our own warehouse and at the same time pick real customer orders and supply our production is and remains the declared goal of the GEBHARDT Innovation Centre”, explains Marco Gebhardt, CEO of the GEBHARDT Intralogistics Group. The development and production of intralogistics solutions and IoT applications are subject to continuous evolution, which is why the Innovation Centre is also constantly being expanded with new and further developments, such as the KARIS^® AGV or the SimplePick series.

In addition to the desire for the fastest and most efficient intralogistics possible, the ever-increasing demand for individualisation and new digitalisation solutions are the main drivers of change. The credo here is flexibility and scalability. Technical solutions must be adaptable, both in terms of throughput and item size. The Storebiter OLS X shuttle system shows its advantages exactly where maximum flexibility and scalability are required. In combination with mobile robots, this means that classic line or assembly line production can become a thing of the past. In the factory of the future, they efficiently process a high number of variants, even with a batch size of 1. Highly flexible assembly cells are variably interconnected by modern automation systems.

Collaboration between MOSCA GmbH and GEBHARDT Intralogistics Group shows how the use of mobile autonomous systems can be used to rethink the optimal linking of assembly islands or end-of-line solutions.

You expect the highest quality from your production and logistics environment. Quality stands and falls with the integration of your employees into the logistical processes. Ergonomically optimally adaptable workplaces facilitate daily work and create space and awareness for assuring optimum quality without product defects or incorrect deliveries. Our software products provide additional support.

Automation and digitalisation determine daily activities in intralogistics. In addition to challenges, they offer new opportunities to meet rising levels of competitive pressure and to become even more efficient. Questions about faster delivery times, error prevention, flexible adaptation to performance peaks and the mapping of very different order picking tasks from an ergonomic point of view can be answered in a customer-specific, flexible and scalable way. This was also Leuze’s experience when it came to building its new international distribution centre.