Cimcorp 3D Shuttle – Fast lane of order fulfillment

Distribution

Article

Nov 22, 2013

First introduced in the beginning of 2013, the new automatic storage and retrieval (AS/RS) solution for goods-to-man order picking, Cimcorp 3D Shuttle™, has already proved its competence in intralogistics. The unique AS/RS concept uses proven gantry robot technology – combined with an innovative shuttle device integrated into the gantry – to store and retrieve goods in plastic crates, totes, bins and containers required for order fulfillment. As a totally new innovation, the robot solution fills a gap in the intralogistics robotics offering by being able to retrieve single crates from floor-based stack storages and delivering them with ultimate speed to a designated point inside the warehouse, whether the operation is run by third party logistics providers or companies themselves.

With a retrieval rate of 1 000 crates per hour, it delivers not only the crates needed, but a significant boost for productivity as well. Compared to manual order picking, the system can make order fulfillment six times more efficient. With about 20 deliveries within the first year, Cimcorp 3D Shuttle now has a proven track record of delivering better results in various different applications.

Distribution centers for daily consumer goods

Cimcorp 3D Shuttle can take care of a distribution center’s entire operations or, alternatively, it may operate as an ‘island of automation’ within a manual facility. When a particular SKU is required to fulfill an order, the nearest corresponding tote is retrieved and deposited on the shuttle device. The shuttle travels along the gantry and transfers the tote to the outfeed conveyor, which then transports it to a conveyor line that feeds the picking stations. The solution greatly benefits order fulfillment by making deliveries fast and accurate.

Mail tray sequencing

Based on Cimcorp 3D Shuttle, Cimcorp’s Tray Sequencer is designed to organize trays optimally between the first and second passes of the flat-sorting machines. With trays stacked directly on the floor – without the need for racking – the robot can pick any single tray from anywhere in the three-dimensional storage envelope. It takes the picked tray to a conveyor belt that runs alongside the storage area, returning immediately to its sorting and picking operations. Separation of the tasks of transport of the retrieved tray to the outfeed conveyor and picking significantly increases efficiency.

Automotive industry

Designed for plastic crate and tote handling, Cimcorp 3D Shuttle is an ideal solution for serving car assembly lines), storing a wide range of SKUs and retrieving the required items when they are needed. Cimcorp 3D Shuttle allows for “just in time” (JIT) order picking with 100% accuracy and minimum labor. Providing real time inventory records of the component storage, Cimcorp 3D Shuttle also enables model changes to be accomplished with little or no redundant stock write off.

TEXT: TOTTI TOISKALLIO PHOTO: ARTO HELIN

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