Kardex modernized a two-aisle high-bay warehouse for the family-owned company Weber-Hydraulik at its headquarters in Güglingen within three weeks, which serves as a buffer warehouse for production supply. The company announced this in a press release. The project included the replacement of two stacker cranes and the renewal of conveyor technology with two transfer carts, five height-adjustable picking stations, and two weighing terminals. This was complemented by setting up a material flow control system with an individual concept.
The buffer warehouse for production supply at the headquarters in Güglingen had become outdated. The facility, built in 1991 by a third-party provider, was mechanically worn out. The entire process was to be completely redefined and made more efficient. In this context, the two-aisle automatic high-bay warehouse was to be completely modernized. Additionally, the conveyor technology was to be renewed and new ergonomic workstations implemented. A customized material flow control system with an
individual concept completed the requirement profile, according to Kardex Mlog in the announcement. One of the special challenges was the tight schedule:
“The extensive measures had to be fully completed within just three weeks,” emphasizes Chris Gulyasch, project manager of Weber-Hydraulik.
Kardex Mlog was able to win the project tender. Weber Hydraulik had previously worked with the Kardex Group. For many years, seven small parts shuttle storage systems from Kardex Remstar have been used for production supply at the Güglingen site.
In the first step, the team from Kardex Mlog dismantled the worn-out stacker cranes of a third-party provider after 30 years of operation. They were subsequently removed using a crane through a roof hatch. In the opposite direction, the two new devices of type “MSingle A” with aisle equipment and automatic control were brought in the same way. Light barriers and an access concept with keys ensure high system security.
The exchange operation, conducted with utmost precision, was completed exactly according to the tight schedule, according to the provider.
Ergonomic Picking Stations
Additionally, Kardex installed an additional storage entry point in the goods receipt area, another distribution cart with a camera, as well as two additional outbound routes. The picking process has also improved: five ergonomic, height-adjustable workplaces with hydraulic scissor lift tables are now used for picking.
The impact of the new concept is equally evident at the two newly designed loading and unloading stations: Due to the elimination of the foreman’s cabin, space for parking spots was created. Goods are set aside laterally and picked up with a forklift. Now, eleven different load carriers can be stored without repalletizing – including Euro and flat steel pallets, various stackable containers, grid boxes, and system pallets made of plastic.
New Material Flow Computer
The newly installed material flow computer of the
type “Kardex MFlow” now takes over the order and location management, while the system visualization is ensured by the software Kardex “MVisu.” All processes in the buffer warehouse are now completely transparent, and disturbance management has improved. Kardex MFlow has interfaces to the subordinated controls of the conveyor systems, vertical transfer units, and stacker cranes. The software also communicates with the on-site warehouse management system from SAP.
“Thanks to Kardex MFlow, the warehouse for Weber-Hydraulik is no longer a black box. It is now clear at any time where any load is located,” explains Kardex project manager Martin Ewert.
Project manager Chris Gulyasch from Weber-Hydraulik draws a positive conclusion:
“Not only the positive effects of the modernization but also the punctual and extremely reliable working method of Kardex Mlog convinced us. The competent and experienced project team from Kardex Mlog was approachable at all times and made us feel well supported.”
