Automation in Warehouse Logistics
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Since its inception in 1990, Host Pte Ltd, a Sonepar Company, has been a trusted and reliable distributor of automation solutions in Singapore and South East Asia. Over the years, we have built strong ties with our business partners to provide solutions to address our clients ever-changing needs. Our competence in material management allows developers to develop innovative logistics and automatic systems in the warehouse to enhance material motion, from incoming materials to outgoing shipments and on-line deliveries, in the warehouse and factory.
So, once this customer walked into Sonepar looking for a solution to their perpetual struggle of throughput and efficiency for storage and delivery of their items in their warehouses. They provide demand chain logistics and aftermarket logistics for their customers. For their clients, they have requested chain logistics and aftermarket logistics. Aftermarket logistics include service Parts Logistics (4S Solution), which includes service management, strategic inventory, storage management, and shipment management. Along with that, Reverse Logistics (4R Solution), which includes return management, refurbishment, remarketing, and recycling monitoring. These services require extensive storage space and manpower to manage the entire operation.
To keep up with the customers’ requirement, the warehouse stores approximately 20.000 items, be they compact or bulky. Not only that, the number of products and type of items in their warehouse is altering every day as well as we speak. They have approximately 220 incoming and outgoing orders for a 2-man key customer every single day. As such, they require a robust system and processes to handle such flexible and vast operation. It was important to keep in mind that space for warehouses in Singapore is pretty expensive. Due to this, they wanted us to focus on providing innovative solutions for storage maximizing and increase overall efficiency.
To meet our client’s unique needs, we have provided an integrated solution with Modula (Automated Storage Solution) and MiR (Automated Mobile Robot) which works together with their WMS (Warehouse Management System).
This system allows the customer to save about 70% of their floor space through auto height detection of the items stored compared to traditional racking. The operators are located at their Modula stations and the outgoing items are automatically transferred to them and placed in a mobile cart. After the cart is complete, a mobile robot comes and collects the cart in the exit area. The operator does not have to walk around searching for components, saving them an immense amount of time. In addition to that, it decreases the risk to the operators, since there is no need for a ladder or stool to collect items. The greatest part about it is that all items are accessible and within reach, ensuring ergonomics and utmost safety.
Delving deeper into the mobile robot from MiR, it has a hook that can hook carts to pull them around, making it super helpful. On top of that, it has two security laser scanners at each end of a robot, which can cover 360 degrees and two front 3D cameras. These features make the mobile robot insanely impressive. To ensure further safety, the mobile robot has two safety-rated laser scanners enabling them to be able to locate themselves, detect overhanging objects and also safely pull a cart up to 500 kilograms. You can be assured about not encountering any hazardous situation. As it is an Autonomous Mobile Robot, there are no localization requirements for magnetic stripes or QR codes. These smart robots are also capable of finding the best route to their desired destination.
Last but not the least, leveraging from this method in conjunction with the WMS system, satisfies the customer’s desire to maximize throughput with higher efficiency.
Written by Zen Tan, Solution Sales Manager – HoST Pte Ltd
Zen leads HoST’s solution team on strategic and sales activities, focusing on establishing an ecosystem of partnerships while engaging in robotics, cyber-security and IIOT consultation in many industrial verticals. Together with HoST management, he devised a 5-year vision plan to move HoST from not only a distributor but to a consultative company in the industry.
About HoST
HoST, founded back in 1990, operates in the industrial automation market across Singapore and parts of South East Asia. HoST’s vision is to be a company that delivers customer-centric values to address evolving business needs. HoST has been mainly recognised as the sole authorised distributor of Allen-Bradley Company in Singapore. Over the years, HoST has not only established strong ties with its various business partners but have continued to build new and successful business relationships to provide its customers with the best-in-class solutions that are available in this competitive market. HoST ever-expanding portfolio of solutions makes up the three core pillars of its business, specifically in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), Industrial Network and Security, as well as Carbon Footprint Reduction, which reflect HoST’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth.
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